Toyota Hiace: Top 3 alternatives

The Toyota Hiace has taken the market by storm. Whichever market be it - Japan, Malaysia, Singapore or even our very own Philippines. The van has carved a niche which some developed nations may find hard to digest. However, the Hiace has not been here without its fair share of competition. The Chinese as we all know are quick to rise up to challenges and this has resulted in the King Long Univan coming into being. Korea has the Grand Starex and that’s a tough one to beat too. So in this story, we are going to explore what you should buy if you think the Hiace is too mainstream for you and the folks. After all, you don’t buy these vans for the driving pleasure but to carry around a bunch of kids, their grandparents and parents. Let’s not forget the luggage and comfort aspect here.

1) Nissan Urvan

Competition from closer home is the most dangerous, isn’t it? Toyota’s Japanese colleague, Nissan, has the right answer to the Hiace’s invasion. It is called the Nissan Urvan. Like the Hiace, the Nissan Urvan too is offered with multiple configurations and not only with respect to the number of seats but also in the way the bodyshell is configured. So, you have the Urvan ambulance, the cargo van and of course the passenger vehicle. The Nissan Urvan, like the Hiace Grandia, also has an Estate trim that is not only more spacious but also brings in a front crumple zone. Perhaps the driver, as well as the front passenger, may feel a tad safer in this than the regular Urvan. The Nissan Urvan uses an 84PS/178Nm 2.7-litre single overhead cam diesel engine that can be paired with a 5-speed manual or automatic. The bigger Estate gets a larger 3.0-litre diesel motor that produces 105 PS of power and 210 Nm of torque. Prices start from PHP 1,108,000.

2) Foton View

As discussed earlier, the Chinese invasion couldn’t be far away when there is something successful brewing away. The Foton View is the nicely specced affordable alternative to the Toyota Hiace. It not only brings in more equipment at a lower price but also is economical to run. The 200 Nm 2.8-litre turbo diesel may seem a bit lower powered when compared to the Hiace but hey, who worries about that when the asking price is as low as PHP 1,000,00. Dig it?

3) Hyundai Grand Starex

This one feels more like a car than a van. With this statement, we mean the driving position and not the general form. It is, in fact, bigger than your regular Hiace by a couple of millimeters. The Hyundai Grand Starex also gets a Limousine trim that comes with a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator and more. The Limousine variant is powered by an equally compelling 392 Nm engine. The lower powered versions use the 100PS/225Nm configuration engines. As with all things Hyundai, even this one comes loaded with features and has a decent price list. Speaking of which, the Hyundai Grand Starex prices start from PHP 1,310,000.

While these three are the primary competitors to the Hiace, here are a few fringe players that are also worth a dekko.

4) King Long Univan

This Chinese edition, as the name suggests, is quite spacious and has a bubbletop roof. If the name is unfamiliar, take a look at the buses around you. Almost all have the King Long badge on them. The Univan in that sense is pretty reliable too. The engine can either be a 76 PS or 90PS 2.7-litre turbodiesel. Now, the best part. The prices start from PHP 950,000.

5) Kia Carnival

While this car is a hit elsewhere in the globe (we mean closer to us), it hasn’t quite made a mark for itself in the Philippines. The Carnival boasts a snout at the front, larger sliding doors for easier access to the seats and outside, enough space for luggage with all seats up and just like the Grand Starex, a car-like driving position. It also helps immensely that Kia has made all-wheel disc brakes as well as the lifesaver, ABS, as standard. Heck, there is even powered doors on offer that open and close at the push of a button. A lone 2.9-litre turbodiesel that makes 158 PS of power and 353 Nm of torque is on offer along with an automatic transmission. Price starts from a reasonable PHP 11,000,00.