Verdict
At RM169,000, the Toyota Hiace is the people-mover workhorse here: 10 seats, a 2.8-litre diesel with 175 hp/450 Nm, rear drive and a 70-litre tank. The Toyota Hilux costs RM226,300, and the RM57,300 jump changes the brief to a five-seat AWD electric pick-up with two motors, 193 hp, a 59.2 kWh NMC battery and 257 km range. The Hiace is bigger in every external dimension and carries twice the passengers; the Hilux counters with far more safety and cabin kit, much lower road tax and 125 kW DC charging.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need 10 seats and a 70-litre diesel tank more than AWD, LEDs and active safety assists.
Pick the Toyota Hilux if you want a five-seat AWD electric pick-up with 257 km range, richer safety kit and lower RM160 road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota Hiace RM169,000; Toyota Hilux RM226,300
- Powertrain: Toyota Hiace 2,755 cc diesel, 175 hp/450 Nm; Toyota Hilux dual-motor EV, 193 hp
- Energy: Toyota Hiace 70-litre diesel tank; Toyota Hilux 59.2 kWh battery with 257 km EV range
- Seats: Toyota Hiace 10; Toyota Hilux 5
- Size: Toyota Hiace 5,915/1,950/2,280 mm; Toyota Hilux 5,320/1,855/1,845 mm
- Road tax: Toyota Hiace RM1,248/year; Toyota Hilux RM160/year
Hiace
- 10 seats with 10 three-point seat belts
- Costs RM57,300 less than the Hilux
- Larger body: 5,915 mm long and 2,280 mm tall
- Fewer airbags: front and driver's knee only; Hilux adds front side and curtain airbags
- No blind-spot system, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control
- Higher road tax at RM1,248 versus RM160
Hilux
- AWD electric drivetrain with 193 hp and 257 km range
- Stronger active safety: blind spot, pre-collision braking and steering correction
- Richer cabin kit: 12.3-inch screen, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and eight speakers
- Five seats versus the Hiace's 10
- Costs RM57,300 more
- Shorter general warranty mileage at 150,000 km versus unlimited for the Hiace
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 169,000✓ | RM 226,300 |
| Body type | Commercial | Pickup |
| Segment | Commercial | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection, Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing | — |
| Capacity | 2,755 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 175 hp | — |
| Torque | 450 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Diesel | Electric |
| Bore | 92 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 15.6 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 193 hp |
| Battery Type | — | Nickel Manganese Cobalt |
| Battery Capacity | — | 59.2 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 257 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 10 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 125 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6 Speed Sequential Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Toyota | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,915 mm | 5,320 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 2,280 mm | 1,845 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,860 mm | 3,085 mm |
| Weight | 2,550 kg | 2,455 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 10 | 5 |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R16C | 265/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R16C | 265/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Dueler A/T |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Afghanistan (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Chassis | Ladder-frame | Ladder-frame |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Spring | De Dion Rear Axle |
| Front Wheels | 16" Steel | 17" Aero Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Steel | 17" Aero Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 10 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | Manual recline | 60:40 Tip-up base |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Infotainment Touchscreen with 2 Speakers | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 8-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Battery |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,248 | RM 160✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Hiace vs Hilux FAQ
Is the Toyota Hiace or Toyota Hilux better?
For moving people, the Hiace is better: 10 seats, diesel power and the lower price. For safety, cabin tech and AWD EV driving, the Hilux is the stronger pick.
What is the price difference?
The Hilux is RM57,300 dearer, at RM226,300 versus RM169,000 for the Hiace.
Which is cheaper for road tax?
The Hilux is much cheaper to tax. Its annual road tax is RM160, while the Hiace is RM1,248, a RM1,088 yearly gap before fuel or charging costs.