Toyota Hiace vs Toyota Urban Cruiser
Verdict
The Hiace is the tool: RM169,000, 10 seats, a 2.8-litre diesel with 175 hp and 450 Nm, rear-wheel drive and a 70-litre tank. The Urban Cruiser costs RM198,000, seats five and swaps diesel for a 172 hp single-motor EV setup with a 61.1 kWh battery, 426 km range and 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time. For Malaysian buyers, the RM29,000 gap buys an electric SUV with AEB, one extra airbag and far lower annual road tax, but not people-carrying capacity.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need 10 seats, diesel torque and a big rear-wheel-drive commercial van for people or work.
Pick the Toyota Urban Cruiser if you want a five-seat electric SUV with 426 km range, AEB and RM120 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota Hiace RM169,000 vs Toyota Urban Cruiser RM198,000
- Seats: Toyota Hiace 10 vs Toyota Urban Cruiser 5
- Powertrain: Toyota Hiace 2,755 cc diesel vs Toyota Urban Cruiser single electric motor
- Output: Toyota Hiace 175 hp vs Toyota Urban Cruiser 172 hp
- Size: Toyota Hiace 5,915 mm long vs Toyota Urban Cruiser 4,285 mm long
- Road tax: Toyota Hiace RM1,248/year vs Toyota Urban Cruiser RM120/year
Hiace
- Seats 10, twice the Urban Cruiser’s count
- 450 Nm diesel torque
- Lower purchase price at RM169,000
- Much larger at 5,915 mm long and 2,280 mm tall
- No AEB listed
- Annual road tax is RM1,248
Urban Cruiser
- 426 km EV range from a 61.1 kWh battery
- AEB is fitted
- RM120 annual road tax
- Seats only five
- Costs RM29,000 more than the Hiace
- 306-litre boot is the only cargo figure given
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 169,000✓ | RM 198,000 |
| Body type | Commercial | SUV |
| Segment | Commercial | B-Segment |
| 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 | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 172 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 193 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium Iron Phosphate |
| Battery Capacity | — | 61.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 426 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 67 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6 Speed Sequential Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Toyota | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 150 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,915 mm | 4,285 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 2,280 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,860 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 2,550 kg | 1,788 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 10 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 306 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R16C | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R16C | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | MRF Wanderer Ecotred |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Afghanistan (CBU) | India (CBU) |
| Chassis | Ladder-frame | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Spring | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Steel | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Steel | 18" Alloys |
| 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 | Full LED |
| 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 | 40:20:40 Split-folding & Sliding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower | — |
| Sunroof | — | Front Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 7" Infotainment Touchscreen with 2 Speakers | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker JBL 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 | 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Battery, Inverter and PCU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,248 | RM 120✓ |
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 Urban Cruiser FAQ
Is the Toyota Hiace or Toyota Urban Cruiser better?
The Urban Cruiser is better for private use if five seats are enough, thanks to AEB, seven airbags, EV range and low road tax. The Hiace is better if capacity matters: it seats 10 and has a 450 Nm diesel engine.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser costs RM198,000, while the Toyota Hiace costs RM169,000. That makes the Urban Cruiser RM29,000 more expensive.
Which one is cheaper to tax annually?
The Toyota Urban Cruiser is far cheaper to tax at RM120 a year. The Toyota Hiace costs RM1,248 a year, a difference of RM1,128 annually.