Toyota has launched an all-new HiAce range of vans that delivers vast improvements in driver comfort, performance, safety and functionality with the same expansive carrying capacity as its predecessor.

As the first new HiAce in 15 years, it has been completely redesigned with a new semi-bonneted configuration to more than meet the needs of commercial, private, corporate and fleet buyers.

Sitting on a substantially longer and wider all-new platform, the new HiAce combines efficient new turbodiesel and V6 petrol engines that deliver more power, refinement and driveability, the latest suite of Toyota Safety Sense features and a redesigned cabin with improved ergonomics for greater driver comfort and convenience.

Toyota Vice President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley said every aspect of the all-new HiAce has been designed to appeal to owners who often spend long days behind the wheel.

“We focused on making the new-generation vehicle an even better tool of trade through an all-new semi-bonneted design, increased performance, a quiet cabin, smooth ride and improved handling and agility,” Mr Hanley said.

“Its impressive carrying capacity is even more flexible and user-friendly with increased internal width, and increased height on LWB versions, and dual sliding side doors on van models which, for the SLWB variants, can take a standard Australian pallet.

“We are also providing HiAce customers with the same high level of safety as found in our passenger cars and SUVs with a full suite of advanced Toyota Safety Sense technologies,” Mr Hanley said.

The new HiAce is offered in a choice of nine variants.

Van versions are available in long wheelbase (LWB) and super long wheelbase (SLWB) variants with a choice of new turbodiesel and petrol engines, manual (LWB-only) or automatic transmissions and two-seat or five-seat capacity.

Priced from $38,640, the HiAce range kicks off with the LWB van with the option of a 207kW 3.5-litre V6 petrol or 130kW 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine and six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

The new V6 petrol engine provides a huge increase in power and torque compared to the previous model’s four-cylinder unit with peak power boosted by 89kW while peak torque is increased by 108Nm to 351Nm.

Although total capacity for the new turbodiesel engine has been slightly reduced, it too offers more peak power and torque with an increase of up to 30kW and up to 150Nm compared with its 3.0-litre predecessor.

This article was first published in The Fence magazine.