This story first appeared in the June issue of AutoTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE
Toyota’s Hiace has been the most popular van for Kiwi businesses for over 25 years, so a change to its successful formula is surely something Toyota New Zealand would be cautious of.
It appears not, with management indicating they are extremely confident in the success of the sixth generation of the model, which switches from being a “cab-over” style model, to a “semi-bonneted van”, where the driver sits being the engine.
“The new Hiace has been completely revised.
After 14 years since the previous generation was launched, it changes the game completely,” says Neeraj Lala, Toyota New Zealand’s general manager new vehicles and product.
“It ticks the boxes as a workhorse van, but drivers and passengers will experience greater comfort and functionality.”
By shifting the engine and front wheels forward of the driver and front passenger, the Hiace gains increased quietness and comfort.
It also becomes significantly larger, with increased exterior.
The two ZR and ZX models now share the same wider-width which for cargo such as pallets or gib board can lie flat in the back between the wheel arches.That width means that despite a slightly shorter load floor length, load capacity of the ZR rises significantly, while the ZX drops slightly.Both now have a payload of over 1000kg.
All new variants of the Hiace have a height adjustable driver’s seat for increased driver comfort.Driver and passenger technology have also been updated, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen audio unit with satellite navigation and SUNA traffic channel.
The dash has a 4.2-inch colour multi information display with a digital speedometer, and cruise control.
There is no longer a centre seat in the front of the Hiace, the space now occupied by a range of storage spaces for order books, vehicle logs and the like.
The front door opening has a wider step, providing greater access.
Larger fixed-glass areas on the front doors increases side-to-side visibility.
A lower belt line gives the driver an improved downward field of vision at the front.
Like all its recent new models, Toyota NZ has made its Safety Sense package standard.This includes autonomous emergency braking, lane departure alert and assist, road sign assist, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert and trailer saw control.
In addition to a reversing camera, the all-new Hiace also gains front and rear parking sensors.
Only one engine is available, the same 2.8-litre turbo diesel as found in the Hilux.This produces 130kW (up 30kW on the previous generation) and 420Nm (up 120Nm) for manual transmissions or 450Nm (up 150Nm) for automatic variants.Both transmissions are six-speed units and drive the rear wheels through an automatic locking differential.
Lala acknowledges the new model’s size may not suit all operators, but they will still have carry-over options – the ZL 2 seater cargo van in auto and manual transmissions and the ZX 12 seater minibus.
The Hiace ZR has four variations – a six-speed manual transmission two-seater with full glass windows; a six-speed automatic transmission two-seater with full glass windows; a five-seater (2+3) automatic with half glass and solid panels and nine airbags; and a 10-seat automatic with full glass featuring additional speakers, rear cooling and rear heaters.
The ZR is 5265mm long with a height of 1990mm.The two and five-seaters have dual sliding doors while the 10-seat ZR has a left-hand side sliding door.
The ZX is 535mm longer than the previous ZX at 5915mm but 5mm lower at a height of 2280mm.The ZX cargo van has two seats, full glass windows, supplementary door mirror and overhead console storage.It has one left hand side sliding door.
Lala explained that while a 12-seat minibus version of the new model is available – and being sold in Australia – it is too heavy to be complied as it is in Australia.The ZX van itself has a GVM of 3500kg before seats are added.
Pricing starts at $44,990 and tops out at $52,990 for the minibus.
The Hiace remains the backbone of the “last mile” fleet in New Zealand, and to reinforce this, Toyota took journalists to Freightways’ Auckland courier hub as part of the launch experience.
Chief executive Mark Troughear explained that despite having a relatively free choice of what they could operate, the vast majority of the firm’s contractors choose Toyota.
“Hiace makes up 82% of our fleet, and this is with contractors who have the right to choose whatever vehicle they want, whatever size, whatever configuration,” Troughear says.
“The Toyota vans really for the last 25 years have been the choice for our contractors.Today 903 of all different models and size sit within our fleet,” he explains.
“Toyota is trusted by our contractors.I have seen a lot of vehicle manufacturers come in over the years with a new van, offer an incentive, and a few will give it a go – but something will happen, and that gets around a fleet really fast.”
Post Haste driver Tua Tomokino has already been trying the Hiace, and is hugely complimentary of its driver comfort levels, storage spaces, fuel efficiency and load height.You can check out his reactions in our video on the Auto Media Group YouTube channel.
We got a chance to briefly drive the Hiace as part of the launch event, and early impressions are impressive.
It feels like a very different vehicle to drive than the previous model – and quite different to the European semi-bonneted vans.
You sit further back and lower.
The two front seats are very comfortable, while the reach adjustable steering adds to comfort levels.
Performance felt a little muted compared to the reported engine outputs, though with virtually no mileage on the engine, judgement on this needs to be left till we try one that has travelled a little distance.
The steering feels responsive for a van, while the lane assist systems are very noticeable on well-marked lanes – more so than Toyota’s passenger cars with the same systems.
The new Hiace is impressive, and is likely to satisfy both fleet owners and users.
