Besides reliability, it has nothing going for it. It has very poor ride comfort, Has low safety ratings and almost zero crumple zones, very little sitting adjustments, the steering wheel is the same size as a large dining room table, poor fuel economy, and a slow underpowered engine. Being only good in reliability and nothing else is what makes this vehicle a bad choice.
@angrysocialjusticewarrior I disagree with most of that , its a workhorse built to last ,steering wheel is the same size as any other car ,seats are quite comfortable ,I love the van it's helped make me build wealth by being cheap to run I think power is great and fuel economy is great also .
Watching this in a 2018 hiace commuter waiting for the misus. I have 3 kids and its the perfect family car. Family outing, each kid takes a seat in the back as a bed.
My dad has had 3 different HiAces since he moved to Australia and it's been the most reliable work van with plenty of space. I actually learnt manual in one of them and seeing as it's still running, i think it survived at least a million stalls and missed gears
As an owner of one of these, a 3.0l diesel manual, I've achieved 7.8 l/100kms, with very constant hiway travel. They are exceptionally fuel efficient - your right foot determines massively your fuel economy/useage .... It's a van/box on wheels for Gods sake .... I'm 186c.m./6'2" & it's a bit cramped for room, especially the gear shift location intrudes in to your left knee space.... but there is more that enough seat travel for me even. Suffice head room for me too.... 2015 onwards passenger seat could be adjusted backwards & forwards too ( like a normal car seat) this was also standard in the GL & Super GL model ex Japan models.... On long open road sections/traveling i shift the seat back another notch or two from my daily commute position.... Steering is acurate as & really well weighted very nicely. They do chew out the insides & outsides of the front tyres, even at the recommended 52 p.s.i. as there's alot of weight on the front wheels, the whole motor & of course the diesel donk is heavier built.... The direct injection diesel ain't exactly quiet either ...... but the 2.7l petrol motor is quiet but a bit of a gas guzzler & not many of em were sold from new, especially here in N.Z. .... I'd buy an automatic diesel if ya looking to buy one, the auto's use jack shite more fuel over the manual transmission & the turbo boosts very quickly, from 1200 r.p.m they're on full torque in the 3.0l diesel. The manual transmission is also a slooooow as shite box to shift gears in & they can be ( have asked other fellow tradie mates with manual boxes) an absolute pig to get in to first gear if not completely stopped/stationery..... if it wont go in, i just nungga nungga off in 2nd gear😂 easily handles/absorbs it.... I've loaded the shit outta mine (van) at times & it doesn't affect performance much either in acceleration or stopping - they have very powerful good brakes but do warp the disc rotors eventually. But, yea, dont crash it frontal wise if you wanna keep ya legs.... An easy to own dead reliable work horse year in year out but pretty boring & uninspiring none the less BUT it was never meant to be anything more in reality..... Way better than Mitsubishi..... Respect it & it'll repect you with bulk years of service ..... My mobile tool box for me.... 😊
Had a few hiaces 94 did over 450,000ks before we sold it got a 99 did about the same until we sold it. Got a 2006 but sold it before ks got high. All petrol and all had very little issues. They are seriously tough commercial vehicles. We drove them on beaches, burnouts, towing while full loaded everything. Nowadays my driving behaviours have changed but I definately put them to the test and they never gave in. I think the size of the hiace in today's market is the main reason people buy crafters sprinters etc especially for campervans.
I drove Hiaces for work for many years, yes they can be scary in the wet, the back end is very lively! You feel every bump as you're right on top of the wheels, the van understeers terribly in corners. But we had ours over 600,000kms when we sold it, just regular oil changes and few issues.
@@lobsterwhisperer7932Lol. My dad used to put 12 of us in the back of the hiace under blankets when entering the footy carpark. These things were normal back then now you'd be called a bad guy for doing that, but I don't care what anyone says shouting 12 kids (me and my mates) to the footy food drinks everything for every game of the season is just one of the reasons my dad is regarded as being the best dad by all my mates including myself.
I drove one from Perth to the Gold Coast over a 2 month period and I never had a problem. The comfort didn’t worry me either, and we did a couple of 10+ hour driving days.
The 2.7 petrol engine (2TR-FE) is legendary here in the states. I've owned 3 of them in Tacomas (Hilux) and they're fantastic for reliability. I beat the hell out of them routinely and I've never had an issue. Scheduled maintenance is all she needs.
I drive 3RZ which is a 2TR but 2TR is improved. I see guys with 2TR here in Uganda and are super reliable engines. Been looking at Land Cruiser prado with 2TR.
It's the best/most reliable car I've ever owned. I love the thing. I just hope it can hold on a few more years until i can replace with... that's right, another Toyota Hiace! :) Great video, I really enjoyed it. Thanks.
I prefer Hiace for campervan *because* it looks normal, "boring", inconspicuous. since you dont want people to know you're sleeping in there, other popular models just looked too obvious and attract too much attention
I love in Jim’s review of it mechanically he gave an idea of how many kms it could last for. It would be awesome if you could do the same for other vehicles you review
I purchased a Hi-ace 14 seat commuter bus which has now been converted into a campervam, which I enjoy very much. The reason I bought it was 1. TOYOTA, 2. DIESEL and 3. AUTOMATIC. average fuel consumption on trips, even in windy days is around 8.5l/100Km. Yes the european vans may look better but no way in hell are they more reliable than a TOYOTA. I would rather be driving through the outback in a Hi-Ace than standing on the side of the road in the outback next to a very good looking european van
A VW van would be the exact opposite of a super reliable Hiace. The Euro vans are expensive nightmares to own and maintain and keep going. The Hiace is not perfect, but it IS very tough and keeps going and going and going. You still have to replace consummable items such as glow plugs from time to time however, and the suspension is like riding on a solid frame vintage motorbike. The lower back suffers bigtime. But overall it is a darned good vehicle-workhorse, AND it retains it's resale value remarkably well if looked after well.
It's great for a Toyota van/minibus/ Hummer bus as we call it in Nigeria. But it's prone to rollovers, especially the one showed in this video, because of its width. The 2.7 petrol is the only engine you can get here, and automatic transmissions (from the factory) are rare. Some people swapped the five speed manual for the automatic. The LWB with the high roof is your best option for a people carrier, it's spacious and isn't as prone to rollover as the short wheelbase models with the low roof.
In South Africa they lower the suspension and install wider wheels to prevent roll overs. Changing the bumper to a lower and more aggressive one also helps with balance but ruins the fuel economy. But They have mostly stopped using them in South Africa and only the taxi industry still has them. Other industries such as ambulances, police, etc have upgraded to the new ones that have a long nose in front. They are much more luxurious and they are hard to roll over (I've yet to see one roll ever and it has now been 2 years since they became available in South Africa).
@@angrysocialjusticewarrior no need for installing anything, just learn to drive properly. And front lower bumper prevents roll overs? Just wow, lol...
@@bluewanderer9903 First of all I have 10 years of professional driving experience with a perfect unblemished driving record. I have driven everything from busses, trucks, vans, cars, sports cars, etc. I have driven everything from the most immaculate and well taken care of company vehicles, to illegal unroadworthy vehicles where I had to "accelerate" by using my hand to pull a string that was hooked up to the throttle because the pedal was broken.... You are literally the last person to tell me to "learn how to drive". And no, you don't prevent roll overs by having a lower bumper...... Use some common sense when making a comment. What you lower is not the bumper, its the suspension. You lower the suspension in the front to create a lower center of gravity which helps to resist against bodyroll when cornering. The rear is usually not lowered because it will naturally become low when fully loaded. So, do you have any other smart ass remarks you'd like to make?
@@bluewanderer9903 Its not about driving skill. Have you actually driven these things when there is strong winds? They are extremely unsafe and lowering the center of gravity (lowering the suspension) helps reduce this. Lowering a car for better balance and stability is something that has been done since the invention of cars so I don't know why this is the first time you are hearing about this. Its even done by trucks that do highway driving exclusively, and it is a standard practice in all automotive racing.
I owned a turbo diesel toyota hiace for five years and never had any major issues. I only changed fluids and fillters and breaks I can honestly say it's a great van and its also very reliable.
Ive never watched a car or van review before but gees this one cracked me up while keeping me informed. Loved it n laughed out loud probably loud enough for my neighbours to hear. Awesome video!
I'm from the electrical transmission trade. We certainly use vans for security,weather proofing and actually carry more equipments than a ute could ever dream of. If we need to attend work out in super rough terrain we have Hino 4x4 light trucks. Useful tools for the job. Dual cabs are just too compromised.
Just bought myself a 2011 LWB. Love it. Wish I'd viewed this video as a summary, but genuinely, all of what you've mentioned I was pretty much aware of. The lack of bonnet is certainly the scariest part of driving, but the ability to see further than an SUV (Ford Territory is my other ride), gives me a little comfort to be able to foresee and prepare for most situations. The versatility and blank canvas is brilliant and I can't see me getting rid of my "Silvie" any time soon. Thanks for your honest and entertaining video. And yes, the Hiace groups do exist (and are every bit entertaining as you might expect!)
You should have spoken to panel beaters or even tow truck drivers about the accident vulnerability. These Hiaces actually have VERY strong front ends. The triple layer, high strength sheet steel structure and chassis bracing means it's very rare to get intrusion into the driver. At speeds that you would get that, you'll also get it in ANY vehicle. Because of the high strength steel in the panel structure, especially the roof and pillars panel beater told me it's much harder to repair when there is deformation.
Probably the most solid, unpretentious van you could buy (and thats why I drive a VW Transporter). In japan we used the 4wd diesel models for non stop snowboard adventures - it was a tank.
I've had a new model of this van every 3 years for the last 25 years or so doing 65,000 klm a year, yes they are reliable. Easy to drive, but with klm I was doing very uncomfortable. Shorter trips are fine, the latest model is very comfortable but very expensive. Accurate review 👍
My 86 Auto is still rocking! Although the third gen is hard to get parts for, as it was only a short run of 6 years. I've had mine for 19 years. Will be looking a gen four next year.
my father used quantums as ambulances for his private ambulance service (as does every other ambulance service else in southern africa) the 3.0d4d is great, turbos become a pretty common service items the 2.7s got general services as per book until 400k kms, at 400k they got a new rear diff and rear drums and shoes and then stick to what the service intervals say until 800k where they were sent out to pasture, they also exist as mini bus taxis and they seem to be the fastest car in south africa some of the time, so they really are a performance car.
I've floored the 2.7 litre version of the Quantum without any additional passengers, and yes... the thing is indeed fast. If you rev it out through the gears its definitely in part with some sports cars. Maybe a Polo GTi. Going past 100 kph feels pretty life threatening though. Have you experienced the new ones (the ones with the long nose)?
I ve driven both gas and diesel engine, both with good power and easy to lose traction on take off in the wet. Kinda fun going down m1 at 150kmh in the rain
i've got the petrol 2.7 - basics/reliable/decent on fuel - and it actually hammers! Best thing ever - can't stand over speced things and wasted money but also want reliability and quality build - this is where it's at and used prices show it. Get a good head unit and use some sound deadening and sound system is pretty damn good - but still worth an upgrade if really want to pump tunes properly on highway if like driving with windows down
Great video, i own toyotahiace 3.0L turbo diesel I did the service ever 7k the van very reliable had no problem at all Plus i do the transmission and Df service every 50k
Had 2 x 2007 hiaces, one petrol, one diesel, and they were great vans for a long time. Got a 2016 iload now, and will never look back. Came with everything, cruise, cameras, massive cab. Would love you to do a review of an iload too.
@@dreamphantltd to be honest they were pretty close across the board. Servicing was about the same. Fuel consumption, the petrol was slightly worse. I was only getting about 400ks for the diseil and about 350-380ks for the petrol. Both had 55ltr tanks. And it didn't really seem to make any difference on whether it was highway driving or city driving.
They came with a 2.5L diesel too. Aquick tip for evidence of hard use is look at the rear wheel wells in the cargo area, if theyre smashed up, steer clear. If the wheel wells are mint, its a keeper.
I bought a 2011 Diesel 12-seat Hiace commuter for the church youth group to use. Beaten up by teenagers for several years, had skis and snowboards thrown in the back, borrowed by friends and family to move house , etc - never have I seen a vehicle so used and abused by so many people and yet NEVER have a problem. In the end my son had a front on accident in it and wrote it off but the sub frame is so hard core that he walked away without a scratch. These vehicles are legendary.
I’ve watched this video to figure out should I get new hiace for my business. I’m kinda familiar with older gen hiaces and know folks who still enjoy their gen2 and even gen1’s. My employees had a mixed feeling about them because of reliability issues rumors. You clearly fixed that impression, I’ll be looking to buy hisces some time soon.
Ive owned 3x 08 from brand new sold at 160xxx kms not 1 issue . Picked up a 2010 with just under 400,000 for 6k pre covid drove that across Australia, perth-tassie . Never skipped a beat . Then a 2012 post covid 22k !! Took that rig from 150xxx to 250xxx . Sold it when got company vehicle. I miss them so much im in the market to buy again . All mine have been petrols and 10.5lt - 11lt per 100 and ive never spend a cent on engine repairs . Ill happily purchase a 300plus kms rig again .
Been driving a 2015 petrol manual bought 12months ago turned into a camper mountain biking van . Yeah its cramped and firmly sprung but its a mile muncher been halfway around Australia in her realy cool to drive . The utilitarian look i love all the euro vans have turbo issues around the 120 000kms for the diesel engines. Toyota reliability ,durability and resale value is superior to the competition also is a plethora of part's and accessories available from Japan !
We also found with our patrol vans, drivers in these for long periods could develop some lower back issues. Possibly due to sitting directly above the shock tower. We introduced some extra padding to the drivers seat lower supports to help.
My dad has this gen and the previous gen, older one i learnt to drive and it was a dream to drive and learn how to drive manual on . Could easily on a cruise more comfortably as well
Favorite vehicle I've ever owned - pure utility. Carry anything, camp in it, tow trailers, or just cruise around town. And yes, I bought mine with high km's and just in time to give it some love and it looks like it will do 1M km (touch wood). Toyota have engineered this for simlicity and reliability, and it shows.
I own a 2004 hiace and the only thing to watch out for them is rust especially around the rear window and windscreen, had some reliability issues with weird starting issue however that was traced back to a faulty coolant sensor (eventually) and the alternator died but apart from them rough wood it has been solid!
I have had two HiAce vans, both were used as work horses and towed heavy trailers, they were a great van, generally trouble free motoring, yes I would buy another one.
My dad has one that is at almost 900,000km now. Has had the turbo replaced twice and has issues every now and then from being an older well driven vehicle, but is otherwise still surprisingly good.
I just upgraded too a 2015 HiAce after 5 years in a old school l300 which was a great small reliable van but thehiace feels like a 5 star safety upgrade
Also, reckon you could do the Mitsubishi van? I used to have one for work and loved it. Rattly, minimal creature comforts, low milage, but hell it was a great little van
I have a SLWB van with 3litre turbo diesel and it is great. Heaps of room inside and super reliable. Yes it is no powerhouse and I have the model without anti locking brakes, which would be good to have. With no weight in back it can slide around in the back on wet roads. I have good tyres which help but with a load it sticks to the road well. I know taxi vans that have got 1 million klms out of the original diesel engine with just servicing as per the manual. So super reliable and heaps of room!!
Driving these as wheelchair and group taxi’s in regional NSW on a full time basis I can’t fault it; they start and stop; steer and do everything required without any issues; sure they aren’t the most comfortable thing for me as the driver or a passenger but when in regional areas what else do you really need. 283KM on one of them and it’s not long had it’s second timing belt done before Christmas
Have had a 2008 hiace commuter bus from new only mechanical issue we've had was a "plastic pipe in the cooling system that runs past the engine (petrol ) deteriorated with age last year upgrade with a metal one from later model . Still running well on long distances and around town.
Every word you said about the driving experience is true. I drive a 2006 with 445xxxkms every day for work and above 70kmph its terrifying. 100kmph feels scary lol
Toyota Hiace Super GL is the go to Van! It has luxury features like auto sliding rear doors, rear aircon blower and tons of space in the cargo area. And its a toyota. This van is bulid to last. Reliability is not an issue. Best of all, its a Japanese vehicle, meaning there are lots of aftermarket parts to choose from. Suspension, bodystyling, engine performance n etc. And i am a hiace owner for 6 years! 👍🏻😁
I learn driving in a hiace. My father, who is an experience school bus driver, constantly remind me that i am sitting on the front wheel, not behind it.
The Hi Ace is a great van - only when loaded to capacity! Unloaded, the traction on the back wheels is deathly, especially in the wet! When reversing up a - slanted to one side - incline - forget about it! Wheels have no traction and just spin. Always place 8 bags of 40 kg concrete over the back wheels. Better traction. A tradie one told me - he replaced the diff with a Hi Lux diff - all good from there he said!
In Japan once cars get a few years on them it is more cost effective in regards fees and charges to just replace them. So many low mileage vehicles that have been looked after are available for export. I brought one such Toyota hiace all wheel drive diesel automatic van.... just out of factory warranty, which the price reflected. Low kms very nice vehicle..... The problem with importing them into Australia is they are a threat to the Australian Toyota distributors who stand to loose big time if these imports become to popular. So when I took my new purchase to a Toyota dealership and asked them to go over everything and check all filters and anything they could think of... What they did is get the VIN number and match it to the closest service check list... Since if their mechanics waste customer money checking things they do not need to check they could be in trouble. As it turns out the description of my vehicle said manual, when it was in fact automatic... on the receipt for work done they charged me for checking clutch fluid, which when I pointed this out they assured me the mechanic would have checked the auto gear box fluid level instead... next service they still had it down as a manual so I asked them to change that, but was assured it was not a big problem. This went on for about five services same thing each time... but assured it made no difference! Till I started having issues and went on UA-cam to figure out how to check auto transmission fluid level myself, and discovered it was below the bottom of the dip stick! Also going though the documents of work done to spite changing oil filters and cabin air filters etc ... not once had they changed the fuel filter, because the check list they work to did not ask for it at the mileage the vehicle had on it. So while Australia Toyota has not done anything 'Wrong' if you buy a nice imported car they may not be giving you the service you think you are getting. I will still go to Toyota for diagnostic stuff, but might have to rethink servicing.
Pro: the dash drink holder is straight in front of the vent so the A/C can keep your drink cold! This does not apply to the wide body. Con: get on anything resembling an uneven surface and you’ll spin a rear wheel at best. At worst you’ll be stuck.
I've always thought that if a manufacturer could knock up a van that looks chunky in a military way it would sell in crazy numbers, attracting the tradie dollar.
I first saw these in the Caribbean where they are mostly used as taxis. Riding in them, they felt much less substantial and inferior in ride quality compared with north American minivans. That being said, I doubt anything from the big three could match a Hiace for durability and reliability.
Interesting how different the Euro model was (it was cancelled because Toyota didn't want to comply with Euro6 diesel standard which is wise because I haven't yet seen any reliable Euro6 diesel...). It has a bonnet and engine in the front. Here in Northern Europe most of them are 4wd because it was almost the same price as the rear wheel drive version so it goes nice in the snow as well. I liked driving one although it really is a lot more rugged than Transporter and Sprinter that I mostly used to drive when I was involved in the van business. Still a van is a lot more nicer thing to have on the road than in the shop... The great-to-drive-but mechanically-garbage-Sprinter engine lasted just 200k km and the Transporter seemed to have gearbox change scheduled at every other service.
I've always wondered why they cancelled the Hiace in Europe, and now it makes a bit more sense, but they could have at least tried. Toyota can make anything reliable, maybe even a euro 6 engine. Now they only sell that garbage Proace which is really just a Citroen. Hell, I wouldn't mind if they ditched the diesel engine for a petrol one, anything is better than selling a rebadged French car.
@@demogaming8895I think another reason was that the semi bonnet doesn't comply with Euro crash collision requirements. Only way for us to obtain a semi bonnet like the one in the video is import
@@swblade6190 That could be, but the European version of the Hiace already had a bonnet like other Euro vans, plus the latest international version of the Hiace has a bonnet too
@@demogaming8895 yeah, my point is somewhat redundant/irrelevant, but its interesting that they stopped making them at 2012 Euro 4 and I and others agree with your theory. Once you get to Euro 6 complexity, you get DPFs/more complex EGRs and all the other nonsense that conflicts with Toyota's outlook of reliability and simplicity
I have a Toyota Hiace still after 740k klms. Excellent apart from no way to deal with pallets efficiently especially through the side door. Just dont buy accessories through a dealer. In Australia i highly recommend investing in a Smartbar not a bullbar or nudgebar. Australia. Metro and long distance courier in NSW and Pilot vehicle in WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
I've never got the 1.5ltr water bottle test so popular with car reviewers. I mean if you're drinking that much water on the road how many toilet stops are you making? But a banana? Now that's bloody important!
In South Africa, these are the standard issue for the taxi industry. If it's tough enough for our taxi drivers, it's tough enough for anyone.
The ultimate understatement 🤣
I remember this from the early 90s as a kid! 🤣
Same in south east Asia
Ok buddy
Also in Mexico, taxi drivers use Hiace or Urvan. They are very tough vehicles.
Bomb proof ,13 years never had a problem 2.5 turbo diesel engine still healthy as after 360000 really can't see it stopping for a while yet
Besides reliability, it has nothing going for it. It has very poor ride comfort, Has low safety ratings and almost zero crumple zones, very little sitting adjustments, the steering wheel is the same size as a large dining room table, poor fuel economy, and a slow underpowered engine.
Being only good in reliability and nothing else is what makes this vehicle a bad choice.
@angrysocialjusticewarrior I disagree with most of that , its a workhorse built to last ,steering wheel is the same size as any other car ,seats are quite comfortable ,I love the van it's helped make me build wealth by being cheap to run I think power is great and fuel economy is great also .
Watching this in a 2018 hiace commuter waiting for the misus. I have 3 kids and its the perfect family car. Family outing, each kid takes a seat in the back as a bed.
My dad has had 3 different HiAces since he moved to Australia and it's been the most reliable work van with plenty of space. I actually learnt manual in one of them and seeing as it's still running, i think it survived at least a million stalls and missed gears
As an owner of one of these, a 3.0l diesel manual, I've achieved 7.8 l/100kms, with very constant hiway travel.
They are exceptionally fuel efficient - your right foot determines massively your fuel economy/useage ....
It's a van/box on wheels for Gods sake ....
I'm 186c.m./6'2" & it's a bit cramped for room, especially the gear shift location intrudes in to your left knee space.... but there is more that enough seat travel for me even.
Suffice head room for me too.... 2015 onwards passenger seat could be adjusted backwards & forwards too ( like a normal car seat) this was also standard in the GL & Super GL model ex Japan models....
On long open road sections/traveling i shift the seat back another notch or two from my daily commute position....
Steering is acurate as & really well weighted very nicely.
They do chew out the insides & outsides of the front tyres, even at the recommended 52 p.s.i. as there's alot of weight on the front wheels, the whole motor & of course the diesel donk is heavier built....
The direct injection diesel ain't exactly quiet either ...... but the 2.7l petrol motor is quiet but a bit of a gas guzzler & not many of em were sold from new, especially here in N.Z. ....
I'd buy an automatic diesel if ya looking to buy one, the auto's use jack shite more fuel over the manual transmission & the turbo boosts very quickly, from 1200 r.p.m they're on full torque in the 3.0l diesel.
The manual transmission is also a slooooow as shite box to shift gears in & they can be ( have asked other fellow tradie mates with manual boxes) an absolute pig to get in to first gear if not completely stopped/stationery..... if it wont go in, i just nungga nungga off in 2nd gear😂 easily handles/absorbs it....
I've loaded the shit outta mine (van) at times & it doesn't affect performance much either in acceleration or stopping - they have very powerful good brakes but do warp the disc rotors eventually.
But, yea, dont crash it frontal wise if you wanna keep ya legs....
An easy to own dead reliable work horse year in year out but pretty boring & uninspiring none the less BUT it was never meant to be anything more in reality.....
Way better than Mitsubishi.....
Respect it & it'll repect you with bulk years of service .....
My mobile tool box for me.... 😊
Owned two Hi Ace
First one 550 000km - no problem s
Second one 585 000km - used oil both petrol
No mechanical problems
Highly recommend
500k km? Jeez man
Those VVTI 2TRs love using oil
Had a few hiaces 94 did over 450,000ks before we sold it got a 99 did about the same until we sold it. Got a 2006 but sold it before ks got high. All petrol and all had very little issues. They are seriously tough commercial vehicles. We drove them on beaches, burnouts, towing while full loaded everything. Nowadays my driving behaviours have changed but I definately put them to the test and they never gave in. I think the size of the hiace in today's market is the main reason people buy crafters sprinters etc especially for campervans.
I drove Hiaces for work for many years, yes they can be scary in the wet, the back end is very lively! You feel every bump as you're right on top of the wheels, the van understeers terribly in corners. But we had ours over 600,000kms when we sold it, just regular oil changes and few issues.
The older ones became fun when brakes would lock up. Especially with passengers sitting on milk crates in the back.
@@lobsterwhisperer7932Lol. My dad used to put 12 of us in the back of the hiace under blankets when entering the footy carpark. These things were normal back then now you'd be called a bad guy for doing that, but I don't care what anyone says shouting 12 kids (me and my mates) to the footy food drinks everything for every game of the season is just one of the reasons my dad is regarded as being the best dad by all my mates including myself.
My 1999 Hiace commuter has been my fulltime camper for five years and I've been really happy with it's reliability!
The banana test should be a standard to assess interior space practicality.
😂😂😂
I drove one from Perth to the Gold Coast over a 2 month period and I never had a problem. The comfort didn’t worry me either, and we did a couple of 10+ hour driving days.
The 2.7 petrol engine (2TR-FE) is legendary here in the states. I've owned 3 of them in Tacomas (Hilux) and they're fantastic for reliability. I beat the hell out of them routinely and I've never had an issue. Scheduled maintenance is all she needs.
I drive 3RZ which is a 2TR but 2TR is improved. I see guys with 2TR here in Uganda and are super reliable engines. Been looking at Land Cruiser prado with 2TR.
It's the best/most reliable car I've ever owned. I love the thing. I just hope it can hold on a few more years until i can replace with... that's right, another Toyota Hiace! :)
Great video, I really enjoyed it. Thanks.
Make sure you buy the new hiace (the one with the long nose in front). The flat nose is reliable but very dangerous if you get into an accident.
I have one of these and i love it. Nothing has ever gone wrong with my petrol version. It looks plain and boring but it is a lot of fun to drive
I prefer Hiace for campervan *because* it looks normal, "boring", inconspicuous. since you dont want people to know you're sleeping in there, other popular models just looked too obvious and attract too much attention
I love in Jim’s review of it mechanically he gave an idea of how many kms it could last for. It would be awesome if you could do the same for other vehicles you review
I purchased a Hi-ace 14 seat commuter bus which has now been converted into a campervam, which I enjoy very much. The reason I bought it was 1. TOYOTA, 2. DIESEL and 3. AUTOMATIC. average fuel consumption on trips, even in windy days is around 8.5l/100Km. Yes the european vans may look better but no way in hell are they more reliable than a TOYOTA. I would rather be driving through the outback in a Hi-Ace than standing on the side of the road in the outback next to a very good looking european van
How do you get insurance? I've got a commuter and pay through the nose haha
Most areas of out back and rural Australia mechanics understand how to work on them, unlike European makes.
He's talking about European versions of the Toyota Hi-Ace.
A VW van would be the exact opposite of a super reliable Hiace. The Euro vans are expensive nightmares to own and maintain and keep going. The Hiace is not perfect, but it IS very tough and keeps going and going and going. You still have to replace consummable items such as glow plugs from time to time however, and the suspension is like riding on a solid frame vintage motorbike. The lower back suffers bigtime. But overall it is a darned good vehicle-workhorse, AND it retains it's resale value remarkably well if looked after well.
It's great for a Toyota van/minibus/ Hummer bus as we call it in Nigeria. But it's prone to rollovers, especially the one showed in this video, because of its width. The 2.7 petrol is the only engine you can get here, and automatic transmissions (from the factory) are rare. Some people swapped the five speed manual for the automatic. The LWB with the high roof is your best option for a people carrier, it's spacious and isn't as prone to rollover as the short wheelbase models with the low roof.
In South Africa they lower the suspension and install wider wheels to prevent roll overs. Changing the bumper to a lower and more aggressive one also helps with balance but ruins the fuel economy.
But They have mostly stopped using them in South Africa and only the taxi industry still has them. Other industries such as ambulances, police, etc have upgraded to the new ones that have a long nose in front. They are much more luxurious and they are hard to roll over (I've yet to see one roll ever and it has now been 2 years since they became available in South Africa).
@@angrysocialjusticewarrior wow didn't no that thanks for the info
@@angrysocialjusticewarrior no need for installing anything, just learn to drive properly.
And front lower bumper prevents roll overs? Just wow, lol...
@@bluewanderer9903 First of all I have 10 years of professional driving experience with a perfect unblemished driving record. I have driven everything from busses, trucks, vans, cars, sports cars, etc. I have driven everything from the most immaculate and well taken care of company vehicles, to illegal unroadworthy vehicles where I had to "accelerate" by using my hand to pull a string that was hooked up to the throttle because the pedal was broken....
You are literally the last person to tell me to "learn how to drive".
And no, you don't prevent roll overs by having a lower bumper...... Use some common sense when making a comment. What you lower is not the bumper, its the suspension. You lower the suspension in the front to create a lower center of gravity which helps to resist against bodyroll when cornering. The rear is usually not lowered because it will naturally become low when fully loaded.
So, do you have any other smart ass remarks you'd like to make?
@@bluewanderer9903 Its not about driving skill. Have you actually driven these things when there is strong winds? They are extremely unsafe and lowering the center of gravity (lowering the suspension) helps reduce this.
Lowering a car for better balance and stability is something that has been done since the invention of cars so I don't know why this is the first time you are hearing about this. Its even done by trucks that do highway driving exclusively, and it is a standard practice in all automotive racing.
I owned a turbo diesel toyota hiace for five years and never had any major issues.
I only changed fluids and fillters and breaks
I can honestly say it's a great van and its also very reliable.
I’m just about to buy one. Can I ask what sorta miles per gallon km /L you were getting?
Ive never watched a car or van review before but gees this one cracked me up while keeping me informed. Loved it n laughed out loud probably loud enough for my neighbours to hear. Awesome video!
I'm from the electrical transmission trade. We certainly use vans for security,weather proofing and actually carry more equipments than a ute could ever dream of. If we need to attend work out in super rough terrain we have Hino 4x4 light trucks. Useful tools for the job. Dual cabs are just too compromised.
The smoking running joke has got to be one of the best things about this channel. I’ve heard in damn near every video and I still chuckle.
Just bought myself a 2011 LWB. Love it. Wish I'd viewed this video as a summary, but genuinely, all of what you've mentioned I was pretty much aware of. The lack of bonnet is certainly the scariest part of driving, but the ability to see further than an SUV (Ford Territory is my other ride), gives me a little comfort to be able to foresee and prepare for most situations. The versatility and blank canvas is brilliant and I can't see me getting rid of my "Silvie" any time soon. Thanks for your honest and entertaining video. And yes, the Hiace groups do exist (and are every bit entertaining as you might expect!)
The Japanese import 4X4 models are super cool, plan on building one soon.
You should have spoken to panel beaters or even tow truck drivers about the accident vulnerability. These Hiaces actually have VERY strong front ends. The triple layer, high strength sheet steel structure and chassis bracing means it's very rare to get intrusion into the driver. At speeds that you would get that, you'll also get it in ANY vehicle. Because of the high strength steel in the panel structure, especially the roof and pillars panel beater told me it's much harder to repair when there is deformation.
Probably the most solid, unpretentious van you could buy (and thats why I drive a VW Transporter). In japan we used the 4wd diesel models for non stop snowboard adventures - it was a tank.
Never forget my hiace which was my first car. Somehow so far it’s been the most fun to drive.
I've had a new model of this van every 3 years for the last 25 years or so doing 65,000 klm a year, yes they are reliable. Easy to drive, but with klm I was doing very uncomfortable. Shorter trips are fine, the latest model is very comfortable but very expensive. Accurate review 👍
My 86 Auto is still rocking! Although the third gen is hard to get parts for, as it was only a short run of 6 years. I've had mine for 19 years. Will be looking a gen four next year.
I got slwb 2.7 hiace and it is awesome. Toyota reliability all the way . The motor is so quiet I often think it's not running at the lights .
my father used quantums as ambulances for his private ambulance service (as does every other ambulance service else in southern africa)
the 3.0d4d is great, turbos become a pretty common service items
the 2.7s got general services as per book until 400k kms, at 400k they got a new rear diff and rear drums and shoes and then stick to what the service intervals say until 800k where they were sent out to pasture,
they also exist as mini bus taxis and they seem to be the fastest car in south africa some of the time, so they really are a performance car.
I've floored the 2.7 litre version of the Quantum without any additional passengers, and yes... the thing is indeed fast. If you rev it out through the gears its definitely in part with some sports cars. Maybe a Polo GTi.
Going past 100 kph feels pretty life threatening though.
Have you experienced the new ones (the ones with the long nose)?
Editor: "How many times do you want to say banana?"
Adam: "Yes"
Great informative video guys, can't wait for more!
we can't get the forward control hiace in europe, which is a shame becuase its the most space effiicent design.
I ve driven both gas and diesel engine, both with good power and easy to lose traction on take off in the wet.
Kinda fun going down m1 at 150kmh in the rain
Another great review, Turned up the humor on this one! Never thought I needed a space for a loli banana.
i've got the petrol 2.7 - basics/reliable/decent on fuel - and it actually hammers! Best thing ever - can't stand over speced things and wasted money but also want reliability and quality build - this is where it's at and used prices show it. Get a good head unit and use some sound deadening and sound system is pretty damn good - but still worth an upgrade if really want to pump tunes properly on highway if like driving with windows down
Great video, i own toyotahiace 3.0L turbo diesel
I did the service ever 7k the van very reliable had no problem at all
Plus i do the transmission and Df service every 50k
Which transmission ? What fuel consumption? Thx
Had 2 x 2007 hiaces, one petrol, one diesel, and they were great vans for a long time. Got a 2016 iload now, and will never look back. Came with everything, cruise, cameras, massive cab. Would love you to do a review of an iload too.
Please give ur thoughts on the petrol vs the diesel one in terms of consumption, power, maintenance etc
@@dreamphantltd to be honest they were pretty close across the board. Servicing was about the same.
Fuel consumption, the petrol was slightly worse. I was only getting about 400ks for the diseil and about 350-380ks for the petrol. Both had 55ltr tanks. And it didn't really seem to make any difference on whether it was highway driving or city driving.
@@lincolnricardo8234 thanks so much for ur response, the petrol version i see in my country is only 2000cc, was urs 2000cc or 2700cc?
@@dreamphantltd mine was 2700cc, the diesel was 2000cc turbo diesel. I'm in Australia.
Very odd, I own a 2007 diesel and am getting 700km per tank with 100kg payload
This vehicle is legendary...its truly a mover...if you need a mover,this is the vehicle you want
Wish Toyota would sell this model here in the States ❤
They came with a 2.5L diesel too. Aquick tip for evidence of hard use is look at the rear wheel wells in the cargo area, if theyre smashed up, steer clear. If the wheel wells are mint, its a keeper.
I bought a 2011 Diesel 12-seat Hiace commuter for the church youth group to use. Beaten up by teenagers for several years, had skis and snowboards thrown in the back, borrowed by friends and family to move house , etc - never have I seen a vehicle so used and abused by so many people and yet NEVER have a problem. In the end my son had a front on accident in it and wrote it off but the sub frame is so hard core that he walked away without a scratch. These vehicles are legendary.
I’ve watched this video to figure out should I get new hiace for my business. I’m kinda familiar with older gen hiaces and know folks who still enjoy their gen2 and even gen1’s. My employees had a mixed feeling about them because of reliability issues rumors.
You clearly fixed that impression, I’ll be looking to buy hisces some time soon.
Best Car / Van reviews on UA-cam! 😎😊👌🏾 Thank you! 😊
Great review. I have 4 of them - fantastic vehicles.
Ive owned 3x 08 from brand new sold at 160xxx kms not 1 issue . Picked up a 2010 with just under 400,000 for 6k pre covid drove that across Australia, perth-tassie . Never skipped a beat . Then a 2012 post covid 22k !! Took that rig from 150xxx to 250xxx . Sold it when got company vehicle. I miss them so much im in the market to buy again . All mine have been petrols and 10.5lt - 11lt per 100 and ive never spend a cent on engine repairs . Ill happily purchase a 300plus kms rig again .
Been driving a 2015 petrol manual bought 12months ago turned into a camper mountain biking van . Yeah its cramped and firmly sprung but its a mile muncher been halfway around Australia in her realy cool to drive . The utilitarian look i love all the euro vans have turbo issues around the 120 000kms for the diesel engines. Toyota reliability ,durability and resale value is superior to the competition also is a plethora of part's and accessories available from Japan !
We also found with our patrol vans, drivers in these for long periods could develop some lower back issues. Possibly due to sitting directly above the shock tower. We introduced some extra padding to the drivers seat lower supports to help.
My dad has this gen and the previous gen, older one i learnt to drive and it was a dream to drive and learn how to drive manual on . Could easily on a cruise more comfortably as well
Favorite vehicle I've ever owned - pure utility. Carry anything, camp in it, tow trailers, or just cruise around town. And yes, I bought mine with high km's and just in time to give it some love and it looks like it will do 1M km (touch wood). Toyota have engineered this for simlicity and reliability, and it shows.
I own a 2004 hiace and the only thing to watch out for them is rust especially around the rear window and windscreen, had some reliability issues with weird starting issue however that was traced back to a faulty coolant sensor (eventually) and the alternator died but apart from them rough wood it has been solid!
I would love for the HiAce to be sold here in the US, especially in Hawaii and Southern California and Florida. Mexico has this van.
I know I want one so bad here in the US. It's perfect for camp / aid station setup of ultra marathons.
Americans won’t buy it. They like huge SUVs and crossovers. 😊
I got mine for 13k cdn, and 76k kms, petrol, 4x4. Imported from Japan. Perfect condition, no problem basic maintenance
3 videos this week! I feel blessed!
Channel so good, it's got me watching van reviews
Haha, fantastic!
I have had two HiAce vans, both were used as work horses and towed heavy trailers, they were a great van, generally trouble free motoring, yes I would buy another one.
My dad has one that is at almost 900,000km now. Has had the turbo replaced twice and has issues every now and then from being an older well driven vehicle, but is otherwise still surprisingly good.
i have a 2012 toyota hiace gl wagon and i love it
About to get a 2011 super gl 3.0 diesel. Can I ask what sorta mpg km/l you’re getting?
I just upgraded too a 2015 HiAce after 5 years in a old school l300 which was a great small reliable van but thehiace feels like a 5 star safety upgrade
As a tradie, I bloody love my work van over the guys with the utes. I personally own a duel cab, but that's for weekend fun, not work.
Also, reckon you could do the Mitsubishi van? I used to have one for work and loved it. Rattly, minimal creature comforts, low milage, but hell it was a great little van
Hi-ace is only for people really need a work horse. I'm only watching this because your channel is great!
I have a SLWB van with 3litre turbo diesel and it is great. Heaps of room inside and super reliable. Yes it is no powerhouse and I have the model without anti locking brakes, which would be good to have. With no weight in back it can slide around in the back on wet roads. I have good tyres which help but with a load it sticks to the road well. I know taxi vans that have got 1 million klms out of the original diesel engine with just servicing as per the manual. So super reliable and heaps of room!!
these vans are much loved for so long in southeast asia i see them all the time there!
Love it dude!! Best vehicle reviewer on the interweb…
Would love to see a review of the generation before these(93-04)
Thank you!
Driving these as wheelchair and group taxi’s in regional NSW on a full time basis I can’t fault it; they start and stop; steer and do everything required without any issues; sure they aren’t the most comfortable thing for me as the driver or a passenger but when in regional areas what else do you really need. 283KM on one of them and it’s not long had it’s second timing belt done before Christmas
Super gl AWD/4wd is the way to go
Have had a 2008 hiace commuter bus from new only mechanical issue we've had was a "plastic pipe in the cooling system that runs past the engine (petrol ) deteriorated with age last year upgrade with a metal one from later model . Still running well on long distances and around town.
You should look at them in a Kenyan perspective it is the most reliable van we have ever used it is 90pc means.of transport in Kenya
I use a slwb model as a pilot car. Best van i ever had,now done 500kplus.
Great review. Love all the banana compartments. Actually changed my mind about buying one.
My 2015 just reached 260k , zero faults, 2.7 petrol is excellent. My first was a 3.0 diesel, did 175k ,no problem.
‘Slide your banana in’ - Never thought I’d hear that when watching a Hiace Review 🤣
Outstanding review and research. No one else comes close to your level of detail and thoroughness. Thank you. 😎👍
Thanks so much!!
they are the best for durabilaty our work fleet all had over 400K and never a single thing happened
Every word you said about the driving experience is true. I drive a 2006 with 445xxxkms every day for work and above 70kmph its terrifying. 100kmph feels scary lol
Toyota Hiace Super GL is the go to Van! It has luxury features like auto sliding rear doors, rear aircon blower and tons of space in the cargo area. And its a toyota. This van is bulid to last. Reliability is not an issue. Best of all, its a Japanese vehicle, meaning there are lots of aftermarket parts to choose from. Suspension, bodystyling, engine performance n etc. And i am a hiace owner for 6 years! 👍🏻😁
I have a 2000 hiace with over 400000kms, perfect car
I learn driving in a hiace. My father, who is an experience school bus driver, constantly remind me that i am sitting on the front wheel, not behind it.
The Hi Ace is a great van - only when loaded to capacity! Unloaded, the traction on the back wheels is deathly, especially in the wet! When reversing up a - slanted to one side - incline - forget about it! Wheels have no traction and just spin. Always place 8 bags of 40 kg concrete over the back wheels. Better traction. A tradie one told me - he replaced the diff with a Hi Lux diff - all good from there he said!
In Japan once cars get a few years on them it is more cost effective in regards fees and charges to just replace them. So many low mileage vehicles that have been looked after are available for export.
I brought one such Toyota hiace all wheel drive diesel automatic van.... just out of factory warranty, which the price reflected. Low kms very nice vehicle.....
The problem with importing them into Australia is they are a threat to the Australian Toyota distributors who stand to loose big time if these imports become to popular.
So when I took my new purchase to a Toyota dealership and asked them to go over everything and check all filters and anything they could think of... What they did is get the VIN number and match it to the closest service check list... Since if their mechanics waste customer money checking things they do not need to check they could be in trouble. As it turns out the description of my vehicle said manual, when it was in fact automatic... on the receipt for work done they charged me for checking clutch fluid, which when I pointed this out they assured me the mechanic would have checked the auto gear box fluid level instead...
next service they still had it down as a manual so I asked them to change that, but was assured it was not a big problem. This went on for about five services same thing each time... but assured it made no difference!
Till I started having issues and went on UA-cam to figure out how to check auto transmission fluid level myself, and discovered it was below the bottom of the dip stick! Also going though the documents of work done to spite changing oil filters and cabin air filters etc ... not once had they changed the fuel filter, because the check list they work to did not ask for it at the mileage the vehicle had on it.
So while Australia Toyota has not done anything 'Wrong' if you buy a nice imported car they may not be giving you the service you think you are getting.
I will still go to Toyota for diagnostic stuff, but might have to rethink servicing.
Pro: the dash drink holder is straight in front of the vent so the A/C can keep your drink cold! This does not apply to the wide body.
Con: get on anything resembling an uneven surface and you’ll spin a rear wheel at best. At worst you’ll be stuck.
I've always thought that if a manufacturer could knock up a van that looks chunky in a military way it would sell in crazy numbers, attracting the tradie dollar.
They need to release a local 4x4 version, imports can be hard for parts
Such good and detail reveal, mate thanks a lot
Hey here in Guyana 🇬🇾 we call these the Pitbull bus. use it for commercial transport around the country and many other uses
my mobile mechanic has this model in petrol. now has 420,000kms and still going strong
I first saw these in the Caribbean where they are mostly used as taxis. Riding in them, they felt much less substantial and inferior in ride quality compared with north American minivans. That being said, I doubt anything from the big three could match a Hiace for durability and reliability.
I miss my hiace. Hopefully to get one in the next week or two.
Is that Monaro in the background coming soon as a review? Looks awesome!
haha - I was actually considering buying a hiace at one point and making it a camper - would love a 4wd version - love the use of the banana 🍌
I love the styling of this van!
It's fuel efficient, durable, and works well in cold climates. It would be great if you could make a middle size camper with this!
You got me with the Lebanese cucumber 🥒. I did not see that coming. 😂 Well done! 🍻
Interesting how different the Euro model was (it was cancelled because Toyota didn't want to comply with Euro6 diesel standard which is wise because I haven't yet seen any reliable Euro6 diesel...). It has a bonnet and engine in the front. Here in Northern Europe most of them are 4wd because it was almost the same price as the rear wheel drive version so it goes nice in the snow as well. I liked driving one although it really is a lot more rugged than Transporter and Sprinter that I mostly used to drive when I was involved in the van business. Still a van is a lot more nicer thing to have on the road than in the shop... The great-to-drive-but mechanically-garbage-Sprinter engine lasted just 200k km and the Transporter seemed to have gearbox change scheduled at every other service.
I've always wondered why they cancelled the Hiace in Europe, and now it makes a bit more sense, but they could have at least tried. Toyota can make anything reliable, maybe even a euro 6 engine. Now they only sell that garbage Proace which is really just a Citroen. Hell, I wouldn't mind if they ditched the diesel engine for a petrol one, anything is better than selling a rebadged French car.
@@demogaming8895I think another reason was that the semi bonnet doesn't comply with Euro crash collision requirements. Only way for us to obtain a semi bonnet like the one in the video is import
@@swblade6190 That could be, but the European version of the Hiace already had a bonnet like other Euro vans, plus the latest international version of the Hiace has a bonnet too
@@demogaming8895 yeah, my point is somewhat redundant/irrelevant, but its interesting that they stopped making them at 2012 Euro 4 and I and others agree with your theory. Once you get to Euro 6 complexity, you get DPFs/more complex EGRs and all the other nonsense that conflicts with Toyota's outlook of reliability and simplicity
I have a Toyota Hiace still after 740k klms. Excellent apart from no way to deal with pallets efficiently especially through the side door. Just dont buy accessories through a dealer. In Australia i highly recommend investing in a Smartbar not a bullbar or nudgebar. Australia. Metro and long distance courier in NSW and Pilot vehicle in WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
i have a 2013 turbo diesel . best van ever!!
I've never got the 1.5ltr water bottle test so popular with car reviewers. I mean if you're drinking that much water on the road how many toilet stops are you making? But a banana? Now that's bloody important!
Do the 4wd come from factory or are they converted.?
i love mine, its the most solid one
Would be good to see you review the new van
Great video
In South Africa you can see some 1980’s hi aces on the road, being used as Taxis.