7. Toyota Hiace
Year Built: 1967-Present
Estimated Price: $53,442*
The Toyota Hiace (pronounced "Hi-Ace") is a commercial van designed for light-duty work. It has been around since the 1960s and reached its sixth generation in 2019. It is sold in Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, and Thailand. The Hiace is offered in just about every body configuration imaginable.
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The Toyota Hiace is a vehicle that has continued to occupy an important position in the Japanese commercial vehicle market since the first model was released in 1967. The name "Hiace" means "High Ace" and, as the name suggests, symbolizes high performance and reliability as a commercial vehicle.
The history of the Hiace spans more than half a century, and it has constantly evolved until the 6th generation model released in 2019. In this long history, the Hiace has changed shape and expanded its functions to meet the needs of the times. The early models were relatively small vans, but they have now evolved into versatile vehicles that can handle a variety of uses. The
notable feature of the Hiace is its diverse body configurations. Toyota offers the Hiace in almost every conceivable variation. Specifically, there are versions as an ambulance, taxi, pickup truck, crew van, panel van, minivan, and even a minibus. This diversity allows the Hiace to be adapted to various industries and uses, and to meet the needs of a wide range of customers. For
example, the Hiace as an ambulance is adopted in many areas due to its reliability and maneuverability. As a taxi, it is praised for its design that balances passenger comfort with driver maneuverability, while the pickup truck version is popular in the construction and agricultural industries, where it is highly regarded for its durability and loading capacity.
The Hiace is also sold in a wide range of regions. It is sold not only in Japan, but also in various parts of the world, including Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, and Thailand. In these countries, models are provided that are customized to the needs and road conditions of each region. For example, in Australia, long-distance driving performance suitable for the vast land area is emphasized, while in Southeast Asia, a cooling system is adopted to cope with the hot and humid climate.
In Japan, the Hiace is only sold at Toyopet stores. This is part of Toyota's sales channel strategy, and aims to emphasize the specialty of the Hiace as a commercial vehicle. At Toyopet stores, staff with specialized knowledge of the Hiace can make suggestions tailored to the specific needs of customers. The
evolution of the Hiace reflects the development of automotive technology and the changing needs of society. Early models were characterized by a simple and functional design, but current models are equipped with advanced safety technologies and comfortable equipment. For example, the latest models are equipped with advanced safety technologies such as collision avoidance assistance systems and lane departure warning systems as standard, achieving safety on a par with that of passenger cars despite being commercial vehicles.
In addition, consideration for the environment is also progressing. Recent models have been designed to reduce CO2 emissions by improving fuel efficiency and adopting hybrid systems, etc. This is in response to stricter environmental regulations and increased awareness of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The Hiace has become an important "business partner" for many small and medium-sized enterprises due to its versatility and reliability. It is used in a variety of industries, including delivery, construction, and services, and plays an important role in supporting Japan's economic activity. It also has the potential to be used for leisure and new ways of working, such as camping cars and mobile offices, and is expected to continue to evolve in line with the needs of society.
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