Hiace, the dependable ‘go-to‘ van and passenger transporter for more than five decades, has been radically re-worked from top to bottom in its new fifth generation guise.

Most noticeable about the all-new 2019 Hiace is the shift to a semi-bonnet design. By shifting the engine and front wheels forward of the driver and front passenger, the Hiace gains increased quietness and comfort when travelling, and improved entry and exit.

Secondly, the semi-bonnet platform provides a longer wheelbase with increased exterior length by 570mm for the ZR and 535mm for the ZX over the previous model – and revisions to the cargo area shape, allowing drivers to take advantage of the increased payload, by up to 85kgs in the ZR.

The width in the ZR and ZX variants has also been aligned, increasing the accommodation for wide cargo such as pallets or GIB board to lie flat in the back between the wheel arches.

The body of the new Hiace is also wider than the previous model at 1950mm. The wider body has allowed for more storage for the driver and passenger, and thanks to the semi-bonnet design, storage has been built into the centre console.

The new generation Hiace will be available here in five variants – with two body sizes, two body types and three passenger seat configurations. The line-up will also include two carry-over variants, the ZL 2 seater cargo van in auto and manual transmissions and the ZX 12 seater minibus.

The Hiace ZR has four variations – a 6-speed manual transmission two-seater with full glass windows; a 6-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 new Hiace 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.

All new Hiace are powered by a 2.8L turbo diesel – the same 1GD diesel engine found in the Hilux. The new Hiace engine delivers 130kW (up 30kW on the previous generation) and 420Nm (up 120Nm) for manual transmissions or 450Nm (up 150Nm) for automatic variants.

“Owners can customise the van to suit their own unique needs,” says Neeraj Lala, Toyota New Zealand‘s general manager new vehicles and product. “We talked to Hiace owners in the field to create a van that is highly versatile with flat mount surfaces and anchor points to make it easy to customise the vehicle.”

All new variants of the Hiace have a height adjustable driver‘s seat for increased driver comfort, and driver and passenger technology have also been updated. All models have a 7” touchscreen audio unit with satellite navigation and SUNA traffic channel as well as Mobile Assistant, Bluetooth and Voice Recognition. The driver cockpit has a 4.2” colour multi information display with a digital speedometer, and cruise control.

The new silhouette is squarer from the rear profile and more powerful looking from the front. The new semi-bonnet and grille is wide with relatively high front combined headlights. The combined rear taillights are also enlarged.

The front door opening has a wider step, providing greater access, and larger fixed-glass areas on the front doors increase side-to-side visibility. A lower belt line gives the driver an improved downward field of vision at the front.

The new Hiace features the Toyota Safety Sense package, which is now standard across the new range. The new model Hiace includes Toyota Safety Sense consisting of Pre-Collision System with Autonomous Emergency Braking and vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian detection. It also has Lane Departure Alert with brake control (Yaw Assist) and vehicle sway warning, Road Sign Assist and Automatic High Beam. Other safety features include Trailer Sway control, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

In addition to the reversing camera, the all-new Hiace also gains front and rear parking sensors.

Toyota Drive-away pricing includes all on road costs: WOF, registration, a full tank of fuel, 1000 kms of RUC (if applicable), the Toyota Care Service Advantage package, floor mats, and the three years or 100,000 kms warranty.

The 2019 new generation Hiace has a Toyota Drive-away price of:

2.8 TD Hiace ZR 5 Door Van – 2-seat MT $44,990

2.8 TD Hiace ZR 5 Door Van – 2-seat AT $46,990

2.8 TD Hiace ZR 5 Door Half Panel Van – 5-seat AT $47,990

2.8 TD Hiace ZR Minibus 4 Door Van – 10-seat AT $52,990

2.8 TD Hiace ZX 4 Door Van – 2-seat AT $50,990