Toyota HiAce

I have driven hiaces on and off over the years. The earlier ones were horrid, thirsty, noisy and the ride and features were bleak at best. Over the years there were more refinements added and little tweaks here and there. Still I would prefer the Renault or transit over the hiace any day. Reliability is where the hiace beats the others. The Renault was great until it needed work. Everything was super expensive. The Ford was great however with the super rough co workers and plastic floor it didn’t last long before bits and bobs were falling off ...

had my van for 15 years very happy no problems only cost is usual servicing materials as i do my own services every 5000 k
spoken to many owners seems lots of problems caused from neglect and abuse with thoughts drive it till it stops.

This is the second of this series Hiace I have owned, both 3lt diesel, first one auto, this one manual. Do a lot of highway kms, probably around 60%, currently has about 257,000kms on it. The van is relatively comfortable, although a bit noisy on the highway. I have not had any problems with it at all other than after a bad batch of fuel I had to replace the fuel filter twice. The diff has been noisy for at least the last 8 years. The auto used quite a bit more fuel than the manual does. I change the oil and filters (air & oil) myself every 5,000kms, seeing I am not paying for labour it's not that expensive to try and ensure a bit of reliability.

Bought this commuter bus to camp in after house burned down, after recommendation from Google and a few friends. Apart from problems like getting seated, etc. the MAIN problem is fuel consumption.
It's supposed to use about 10/12 litres of petrol per 100km; but my figures have varied from 33 (yes THIRTY THREE) to, AT BEST, 17 litres per 100km after a $1600 service and a long highway-trip to 'blow it out'. Currently (around town) careful driving will achieve 25 litres per 100k.
Apart from the major service, I had a ...

My 2004 Toyota Hiace fual fuel, 5 speed manual has over 767000 km and still going strong on interstate trips. Changed the power steering belt, engine mounts, and rocker cover seal. Its also due for a reconditioned or 2nd hand differential soon ($750 fitted).
Highly reccomended. Not selling it even when I buy a newer van which I will because my Hiace has no safety tech.

I have just purchased a 1999 Toyota HiAce long wheel based commuter van and am thrilled with it.
These vans are highly desired as reliable campervans that can clock up hundreds of thousands of kms. Mine has a slightly imperfect body, but is about to be fully restored. However, it is the commercial engines that are so highly desirable in the 1990s models of the Toyota HiAce that make them so damned hard to get hold of.
Mine drives and handles very well. Though it lacks the amazingly comfortable suspension seats of the latest Mercedes Sprinter I...

I am a tradie who has plenty in the back of this fairly new Hiace ( 2017 ) , I have asked the official toyota service dept if there is something wrong with the suspension . Im told it all checks out and is fine .... I drive the Adelaide roads all day and it feels like a motocross track unless Im on a very new freeway type of road, yes we have a couple of these roads here but the normal roads are not helping my plight . Every bump , every imperfection in the bitumen goes through the van like Í'm on solid rubber tyres . They specify 48psi in t...

2008 purchased with 160,000km 2014

Had 10k spent over and above normal items like batteries oil tyres and cambelts.

$1000 DPF remove
$1000 EGR replace
$500 intake cleaned
$1500 diff rebuilt
$0 rebuilt diff replaced 2 months later
$5000 turbo replaced ....twice...

I live in a hiace commuter which I have converted into a campervan which has gone without a hitch over the last 240,000km. I have friends who have driven more than 1million km in their 90'e hiaces (mine is a 2000 model). The fuel economy is not amazing compared to brand new Mercedes sprinter vans and ivecos which get upwards of 1000km per tank, but the money saved on servicing a Toyota instead of a European car has made owning this van even more worth it. Definitely recommend a hiace commuter for vanlife! You won't regret it.

I purchased this van at 195,000km and I have now done just over 200,000km. I have spent nearly $10,000 on repairs. ZL 3.0 diesel.
DPF filter removal $1500.00, High pressure fuel pump and fuel injectors $4800.00. Numerous other repairs. I have lot faith in the old reliable Hiace and I am looking to get rid of this vehicle.
This is a work vehicle for my business and has had too much time off the road. I know it's done the kms but too many problems.
My mechanic says he has other clients that have had issues with theirs too.

I , like a previous reviewer, am concerned about the way Hiace performs in high winds, is there anything that can be done, I'm a 71 yr old grey nomad , and I'm very scared at times.
I get this serviced every time it's due, it's a great vehicle..
It had 390,00 on the clock when I bought it June 2017, and I have done 20, 000 so far.
It's easy to drive, except for windy conditions.

Had to use this when Ford Transit Custom was being serviced. Only ok for short drivers, cabin space - headroom and foot space very cramped, moves around heaps - in a scary way in the wind. In the wet the steering is where you hope to go - you might go somewhere else though. Its just bad. Boss likes reliability but transit has 300,000km with no problems. Hiace also uses far more fuel.

Bought the van a year ago had 245,000 on the clock. Stripped it out and converted it into a campervan. Runs a treat and have already racked up 30,000km. Still runs exactly how I bought it, no dramas! Would recommend it to anyone looking to buy one for either work or leisure.

My employer changed my van from a Renault traffic to a brand new Hiace. Now I want to get a different job as I have a 1 hr commute. It’s hard to get in and out off. It’s the most uncomfortable van. Noisy, it sounds like a tractor. I feel so unsafe, I am squashed into the front bumper.
I have no room for anything in the cab.
It’s not very economical either. It’s like an example of how not to make a van.
Worst van I’ve ever had

When looking around we needed a van that fit our medium sized containers and found at the dealer this was the best option. Many years later we have only had to get a few things fixed and services come back good almos all the time. The only small issue is we had to replace the side sliding door handle twice but we do use it a lot!