Toyota Grand Hiace – a dynamic turn of the family tree

The history of the Japanese commercial vehicle Toyota Hiace goes back more than 50 years. The first generation rolled off the assembly line back in 1967, and since then a huge number of configuration options and modifications have been released. Including Toyota Grand Hiace with extended wheelbase. In its best years, the model quite successfully competed in its class with the Mercedes Sprinter. In the last decade, the popularity of the model has declined largely due to its primitive appearance. But the Japanese did not abandon their brainchild, releasing the next updated generation of the Toyota Hiace minivan in 2021.

Reasons for popularity

The Japanese did not reinvent the wheel and instilled in their car all the qualities that brought the concern worldwide fame. Affordable cost, durability and dozens of configuration options. The second point is especially impressive; on the Internet you can easily find hundreds of reviews from owners stating that their Hiace, over 20 years of active use, did not require anything except consumables. But this is a workhorse!

By the way, about the name. Hiace is not “Hiace”, as it might seem due to its nationality, and not even “Hiace”, as the model is used to being called all over the world. The name of the model sounds like “High-Ace”, but, as often happens with oriental names, cunning Americans and Europeans quickly rearranged the sound in their own way. That's how Toyota became Hayes. What about the Japanese? It doesn’t matter to them, as long as they buy cars consistently.

An important factor in the success of the model is its wide audience reach. The first generation was produced in three body styles: passenger, universal and cargo. Each generation had petrol and diesel engines with volumes ranging from 2 to 3.4 liters, including a powerful V8 engine in the Hiace version for ambulances. The Japanese have not forgotten about lovers of rear-wheel drive cars, and the Toyota Grand Hiace could boast of all-wheel drive!

Over the years of the model's existence, passenger modifications, utility vehicles, 4-door pickups, light trucks, vans, and special-purpose vehicles have rolled off the assembly line. Needless to say, a huge number of variations at relatively low prices have found many customers around the world?

Interior

When you first get acquainted with the interior of a new model, it may seem that this is a budget car, but not a minibus, the price tag of which is more than 3,000,000 rubles. However, this feeling arises due to the fact that there are “chopped” edges, of which there are a lot on the front panel. It's hard not to notice the interesting two-tone front panel.

It is also nice to have a large number of compartments and pockets for storing various things. However, here you will not find the usual central tunnel that is traditionally equipped in passenger cars. The new Toyota Hiace 2021 has several options for a heavy multifunctional 4-spoke steering wheel, a simple dashboard with three radii or a more advanced one, which has a tachometer and speedometer, which are separated by a color display on the on-board computer.

Also, for the basic configuration of the Toyota Hiace 2021, a simple factory audio system is provided, designed for radio, AUX, USB and Bluetooth. But more expensive versions received a 6.1-inch multimedia complex that supports touch control. Everywhere you can see the presence of thoughtful ergonomics. The center console of expensive versions boasts a fairly large screen of the system mentioned above, along which there is a place for buttons and washers that allow you to control the electronics.

The machine can be equipped with an air conditioner or climate control system. As for the gearshift lever, they decided to move it to the front panel in a separate place. Japanese engineers took this step to increase the convenience and comfort of driving a vehicle. The first row is equipped with two seats that have good lateral support, as well as a wide range of settings in several directions.

At the back there are 4 rows (one 2-seater and three 3-seater), which have quite comfortable seats (there are headrests), seat belts, and also adjustable backrests. It is important to note that the seats installed at the rear can be folded or removed altogether, which will provide a lot of free space for transporting various cargo. In addition, there will be a comfortable height for loading and a very spacious opening.

Capacity

If we try to highlight the main advantage of the model range, then the main contender for victory in the nomination will be comfort for passengers. Despite the impressive size for full-fledged Hiace minibuses, the maximum number of passengers is limited to 13 seats, and given the considerable size of the interior, there is enough space for passengers.

Experienced Japanese workaholics have also thought through various little things, such as organizing a full-fledged dining table by transforming the seats. And for the extended version of the Grand Hiace, it is possible to design a full-fledged bedroom that can comfortably accommodate several people. It’s even somehow inconvenient to mention all kinds of stands, pockets and armrests.

How many seats in Hiace depends on the version:

• Grand Cabin – 10 people;
• Custom – 9 people;
• Super Custom – 8 people;
• Super Custom Limited – 7 people;
• Commercial van – 3 people.

The exception to the rule was the fourth generation of the model, along with the restyling, where the interior seats 12 people, and the new product for 2021, designed for 13 people.

Exterior

Due to the change of generations, the appearance of the “Japanese” has changed quite seriously, but most of the changes were made to the front part. From the outside, the new Toyota Hiace seems to be quite a powerful car. Japanese engineers and designers managed to achieve this with the help of a shortened front part of the body, where they placed a massive radiator grille. On the sides of it there was a place for trapezoidal headlights, which have LED filling.

The front part of the Toyota Hiace also stands out with a massive bumper, inside of which they decided to install foglights, as well as a compact air intake. The short sloping hood, large glass area and sidewalls, which look very expressive, look good. The side part of the body, as well as the interior space of the Toyota Hiace minibus, completely depends on a certain level of performance.

You can see standard entry doors for the driver and front passenger, as well as sliding rear doors that allow people to easily fit inside. As for the vehicle's ground clearance, it has only 185 millimeters. When equipped, the 6th generation Toyota Hiace H300 weighs 2,295 kg, and can take up to 755 kilograms on board. It turns out that the total weight is 3,050 kg.

If we talk about the appearance of the Toyota Hiace VIP, this model has a more solid appearance, made in the style of the flagship Toyota cars. For example, the minivan boasts 17-inch light alloy wheels, as well as front and rear LED headlights, which have a unique appearance. The presence of chrome-plated decorative elements can be seen everywhere.

But the rear part will be the same, no matter what modification is chosen. There was a place for massive vertical headlights that frame the wide tailgate. Due to the transition to a new platform, cars of this class have seriously increased in size and have become almost half a ton heavier than their predecessors. The car has become wider by 70 millimeters, the wheelbase has increased by 640-750 millimeters (depending on the configuration), and the overall length has increased by 535-570 millimeters. There are 3 body styles available: Van, Tourism and Commuter.

• The first represents a van with 3 to 5 seats, as well as a cargo compartment, with a capacity of up to 9.3 cubic meters (there are a total of 9 modifications of this body option).
• The second is a tourist minibus with luxury seats. Designed for 11-14 seats (there are 9 options in total).
• The third option is a regular minibus, designed for no more than 17 passengers (12 options are available in this body).

Toyota Grand Hiace

The minivan with a long wheelbase was produced from 1999 to 2001 and became a follower of the popular Hiace and Toyota Granvia line, which was distinguished by increased comfort and a number of innovations in terms of safety.

The technical characteristics of the Grand High version are significantly higher than those of the representatives of the main line. The car used 3.0 liter diesel engines and 3.4 liter petrol engines with 180 horses under the hood in combination with an automatic transmission. Versions with all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive are available for sale.

The balance of components and their settings turned out to be extremely successful. Grand Hayes is a dynamic car that easily accelerates on the highway up to 180 km and confidently maintains its course and controllability. Add to this a huge interior with a maximum number of passengers of 8 people and moving seats and we get an amazing family or spacious commercial vehicle.

Then why was the model not further developed? The answer is banal: for such successful dynamics we had to “pay” with fuel consumption. In winter, it easily reaches 20 liters, which is 5-7 liters more than the classic representatives of the Hayes line. In addition, there are a lot of complaints from drivers online about the increase in fuel consumption as the car ages and about the stiff suspension.

Price and options

On the Russian market, Toyota Hiace will be available in 3 trim levels: Standard, Eelegans and Prestige Safety. The price of Toyota Hiace now starts at 3,515,000 rubles for the basic “Standard” version, which is equipped with side mirrors with electric adjustment and folding, a light sensor, daytime running lights, as well as a rear fog lamp and a manual gearbox.

“ Elegance ” option will already cost at least 4,247,000 rubles. It will be additionally equipped with automatic electric headlight range control, automatic folding of side mirrors, a rain sensor and LED running lights. You can buy a Toyota Hiace in the most expensive “Prestige Safety” version from RUB 4,445,000. This version will boast:

• Technology that automatically switches high beam to low beam;
• A system that monitors and informs about driver fatigue;
• Technology that notifies you of an accidental departure from road markings (the lane return function is supported);
• A system that warns of the threat of a front collision (there is an automatic braking function);
• Technology that recognizes pedestrians.

Specifications

It’s hard to call a colossus almost 6 meters long a family minivan. The Japanese have created a comfortable minibus with two air conditioners and heaters. With the help of a half-hood layout, noise performance and safety were improved. In crash tests by the Australian company ANCAP, the car received 5 points.

The interior has become larger, the seats are more comfortable, and the Japanese have also softened the suspension a little. A VIP package with an automatic transmission and nine seats is available. Drivers were given power steering, improved visibility and the ability to adjust the driver's seat. Potential owners will also be pleased with the low fuel consumption.

Comparison with competitors

Finding similar cars on the domestic market is not so easy. For some reason, such minibuses and minivans are not very common in Russia. However, Toyota Hiace 2021's competitors are Volkswagen Transporter, Mitsubishi Delica, Toyota Alphard. In addition, we can include the GAZelle, which has a similar interior layout. However, it is unlikely that a person with money will purchase a domestic car.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pros of the car

• Modern appearance;
• Stylish optical design;
• Glazing;
• Spacious interior;
• Modern and convenient front panel;
• Possibility of interior transformation;
• There are many different modifications, so almost anyone will choose the model they need;
• Safety;
• Powerful motor;
• Fuel consumption;
• Availability of electronic systems and assistants;
• Quality of assembly and finishing materials;
• There is a separate VIP minivan that provides maximum comfort.

Cons of the car

• The ride height could have been a little higher;
• No all-wheel drive.