Toyota Hiace vs Volkswagen Golf
Verdict
These two solve very different jobs. The Toyota Hiace is the cheaper buy at RM169,000 and gives you 10 seats, a 2.8-litre diesel with 450 Nm, rear-wheel drive and a 70-litre tank; the penalty is a 5,915 mm length and RM1,248 yearly road tax. The Volkswagen Golf costs RM185,990, carries five, has 148 hp/250 Nm from a 1.5-litre petrol hybrid/REV setup, and is much easier to place at 4,289 mm long. It also gets AEB, seven airbags and RM90 road tax.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need 10 seats, diesel torque and rear-wheel drive more than car-like dimensions or low road tax.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf if you want a five-seat C-segment hatchback with AEB, seven airbags, an 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time and RM90 road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota Hiace RM169,000; Volkswagen Golf RM185,990.
- Seats: Toyota Hiace 10; Volkswagen Golf 5.
- Output: Toyota Hiace 175 hp and 450 Nm; Volkswagen Golf 148 hp and 250 Nm.
- Size: Toyota Hiace 5,915 mm long, 1,950 mm wide and 2,280 mm tall; Volkswagen Golf 4,289 mm long, 1,789 mm wide and 1,483 mm tall.
- Safety: Toyota Hiace 6 airbags and no AEB listed; Volkswagen Golf 7 airbags and AEB.
- Road tax: Toyota Hiace RM1,248 per year; Volkswagen Golf RM90 per year.
Hiace
- 10-seat cabin
- 450 Nm diesel torque
- 70-litre fuel tank
- RM1,248 yearly road tax
- No AEB listed
- 5,915 mm long and 2,280 mm tall
Golf
- AEB and 7 airbags
- RM90 yearly road tax
- 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Only 5 seats
- 250 Nm versus the Toyota Hiace’s 450 Nm
- 50-litre fuel tank
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 169,000✓ | RM 185,990 |
| Body type | Commercial | Hatchback |
| Segment | Commercial | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection, Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing with 48-volt MHEV assistance |
| Capacity | 2,755 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 175 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 92 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 15.6 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) |
| Transmission Name | 6 Speed Sequential Automatic | 7-Speed DSG |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Toyota | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.6 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,915 mm | 4,289 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 2,280 mm | 1,483 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,860 mm | 2,631 mm |
| Weight | 2,550 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 10 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 380 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R16C | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R16C | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Turanza T005 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Afghanistan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Ladder-frame | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Spring | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Steel | 17" Coventry Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Steel | 17" Coventry 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) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Electronic differential lock (XDS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag |
| 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, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | IQ.Light Matrix LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | Manual recline | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower | 2nd Row Vents, single-zone |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Infotainment Touchscreen with 2 Speakers | 12.9" Digital Cockpit Pro with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 7-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 Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,248 | RM 90✓ |
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 Golf FAQ
Is the Toyota Hiace or Volkswagen Golf better?
The Toyota Hiace is better for carrying people, with 10 seats and 450 Nm. The Volkswagen Golf is better as a daily car, with AEB, seven airbags, an 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time and far lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Golf is RM16,990 more expensive, at RM185,990 versus RM169,000 for the Toyota Hiace.
Which is easier to live with in town?
The Volkswagen Golf is the easier city car on size alone: it is 4,289 mm long and 1,483 mm tall, while the Toyota Hiace is 5,915 mm long and 2,280 mm tall.