About the Toyota Hiace
The versatile, reliable, and highly capable Toyota Hiace light commercial van is one of Toyota’s longest-running nameplates. This multipurpose vehicle is used for both passenger and cargo transport; it is also widely used for executive transport purposes. Here in Kenya, the Hiace is one of the most popular public transport vans (or ‘Matatus’) on our roads.
The Toyota Hiace was first introduced to the market back in 1967, and up to date, it is still the largest commercial van manufactured by Toyota. The predecessor of the Hiace is the Toyoace, so when naming its Toyoace’s successor, Toyota combined the words “high” and “ace,” signifying a vehicle that was better than or that surpassed the capabilities of the Toyoace. Since 1967, the Toyota Hiace has undergone various iterations, but now it seems that it has found its winning formula.
So why is the Toyota Hiace commonly used as a public transport vehicle (Matatu) in Kenya? Read on to find out.
What Are the Main Features of the Toyota Hiace?
Generally, the Toyota Hiace comes in two configurations; 7L and 9L. The Toyota Hiace 9L is much longer, wider, has a high roof, has a lower stance, and comes with five doors. The Toyota Hiace 7L, on the other hand, comes in standard length, width, roof, and floor dimensions, and has four doors. The exterior design of the Toyota Hiace is boxy but still appealing.
The interior of the Toyota Hiace is comfortable and spacious. Some of the features you’ll find in the Toyota Hiace include a USB port, AM/FM radio, two-speaker audio system as well as Bluetooth. The newer models may feature air conditioning, ABS brake assist, front airbags, remote central locking (keyless entry), front power windows, among others.
How Spacious Is the Toyota Hiace?
The fifth-generation Toyota Hiace models (2004-present) have just enough legroom in the front for average-sized adults; taller adults may find the front seats confining (in terms of legroom). Behind the front seats, however, these models offer tons of space for your preferred seating configurations; they can comfortably fit four adult-friendly rows of seats. The older fourth-generation Hiace models are smaller in size, so taller adults may feel cramped when sitting inside them.
If you intend to use the Hiace for cargo ferrying, then you’ll have a lot of space to work with. The fifth-generation Toyota Hiace models can handle payloads of up to 1250Kg, depending on the configuration.
Is the Toyota Hiace fuel-efficient?
Here in Kenya, the fifth-generation Toyota Hiace models (2004-present) are available in three engine options; the 2.0L 1TR-FE 4-cylinder petrol engine, the 2.7L 2TR-FE 4-cylinder petrol engine, or the 3.0L 1KD-FTV 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine. They are also available with either 4WD and 2WD. These engines may be mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the 2.0L engine may manage10.4km/L, while the 2.7L engine may return 8.6km/L; the 3.0L diesel engine may manage 14.0km/L.
What is the ground clearance of the Toyota Hiace?
Depending on the Toyota Hiace model you opt for, it will have a ground clearance ranging between 7.1 inches (180mm) to 7.7 inches (195mm), which are well above the minimum recommended ground clearance of 165mm for Kenyan roads. However, to ensure that you clear speed bumps on Kenyan roads without a problem, you need to observe the right loading capacity as per the Owner’s Manual.
Is it easy to find spare parts of a Used Toyota Hiace in Kenya?
Yes. You won’t struggle finding spare parts of a used Toyota Hiace in Nairobi because they are available in most auto shops around the country. Most of them are offered at affordable prices.
Is the Toyota Hiace a Reliable Vehicle? Does It Have a Good Resale Value?
For the most part, the petrol engines of the Toyota Hiace are very reliable. Not many major problems have been reported by the owners of the models that have those engines. The 1KD-FTV diesel engine is said to be a bit less reliable, especially when not maintained properly. The Toyota Hiace also has good resale value because it is still one of Kenya’s most preferred matatus.
In Kenya, the Hiace competes against the Nissan Caravan. The Caravan may be cheaper, but it’s engines cannot match the reliability of the Hiace’s engines. Therefore, you may have to pay a bit more to get the Hiace, but you will benefit from its lower maintenance costs and superior durability.
WHat is the price of Toyota Hiace Van in kenya
Price of Toyota Hiace Van in kenya will range from 2,200,000 KES for year 2014/15 model, 2,500,000 for year 2016 model
The versatile, reliable, and highly capable Toyota HiAce light commercial van is one of Toyota’s longest-running nameplates. This multipurpose vehicle is used for both passenger and cargo transport; it is also widely used for executive transport purposes. Here in Kenya, the HiAce is one of the most popular public transport vans (or ‘Matatus’) on our roads.
The Toyota HiAce was first introduced to the market back in 1967, and up to date, it is still the largest commercial van manufactured by Toyota. The predecessor of the HiAce is the Toyoace, so when naming its Toyoace’s successor, Toyota combined the words “high” and “ace,” signifying a vehicle that was better than or that surpassed the capabilities of the Toyoace. Since 1967, the Toyota HiAce has undergone various iterations, but now it seems that it has found its winning formula.
So why is the Toyota HiAce commonly used as a public transport vehicle (Matatu) in Kenya? Read on to find out.
What Are the Main Features of the Toyota HiAce?
Generally, the Toyota HiAce comes in two configurations; 7L and 9L. The Toyota HiAce 9L is much longer, wider, has a high roof, has a lower stance, and comes with five doors. The Toyota HiAce 7L, on the other hand, comes in standard length, width, roof, and floor dimensions, and has four doors. The exterior design of the Toyota HiAce is boxy but still appealing.
The interior of the Toyota HiAce is comfortable and spacious. Some of the features you’ll find in the Toyota HiAce include a USB port, AM/FM radio, two-speaker audio system as well as Bluetooth. The newer models may feature air conditioning, ABS brake assist, front airbags, remote central locking (keyless entry), front power windows, among others.
How Spacious Is the Toyota HiAce?
The fifth-generation Toyota HiAce models (2004-present) have just enough legroom in the front for average-sized adults; taller adults may find the front seats confining (in terms of legroom). Behind the front seats, however, these models offer tons of space for your preferred seating configurations; they can comfortably fit four adult-friendly rows of seats. The older fourth-generation HiAce models are smaller in size, so taller adults may feel cramped when sitting inside them.
If you intend to use the HiAce for cargo ferrying, then you’ll have a lot of space to work with. The fifth-generation Toyota HiAce models can handle payloads of up to 1250Kg, depending on the configuration.
Is the Toyota HiAce Fuel-Efficient?
Here in Kenya, the fifth-generation Toyota HiAce models (2004-present) are available in three engine options; the 2.0L 1TR-FE 4-cylinder petrol engine, the 2.7L 2TR-FE 4-cylinder petrol engine, or the 3.0L 1KD-FTV 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine. They are also available with either 4WD and 2WD. These engines may be mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the 2.0L engine may manage10.4km/L, while the 2.7L engine may return 8.6km/L; the 3.0L diesel engine may manage 14.0km/L.
What Is the Ground Clearance of the Toyota HiAce?
Depending on the Toyota HiAce model you opt for, it will have a ground clearance ranging between 7.1 inches (180mm) to 7.7 inches (195mm), which are well above the minimum recommended ground clearance of 165mm for Kenyan roads.
However, to ensure that you clear speed bumps on Kenyan roads without a problem, you need to observe the right loading capacity as per the Owner’s Manual.
Is It Easy to Find the Spare Parts of a Used Toyota HiAce in Kenya?
Yes. You won’t struggle finding spare parts of a used Toyota HiAce in Nairobi because they are available in most auto shops around the country. Most of them are offered at affordable prices.
Is the Toyota HiAce a Reliable Vehicle? Does It Have a Good Resale Value?
For the most part, the petrol engines of the Toyota HiAce are very reliable. Not many major problems have been reported by the owners of the models that have those engines. The 1KD-FTV diesel engine is said to be a bit less reliable, especially when not maintained properly. The Toyota HiAce also has good resale value because it is still one of Kenya’s most preffered matatus.
In Kenya, the HiAce competes against the Nissan Caravan. The Caravan may be cheaper, but its engines cannot match the reliability of the HiAce’s engines. Therefore, you may have to pay a bit more to get the HiAce, but you will benefit from its lower maintenance costs and superior durability.
What is the price of Toyota Hiace in Kenya?
Prices of locally used Toyota Hiace in Kenya will range from as low as KES 2,500,000 to around KES 6,550,000 for new models. Below is a price guide of newly imported Toyota Hiace in Nairobi and Mombasa.
Model Year
Price
2014
KES 2,500,000 ~ 2,800,000
2015
KES 2,400,000 ~ 2,900,000
2016
KES 2,800,000 ~ 3,400,000
2017
KES 3,350,000 ~ 3,700,000
2018
KES 3,800,000 ~ 4,450,000
2019
KES 4,500,000 ~ 5,100,000
2020
KES 5,000,000 ~ 5,600,000
2021
KES 570,000 ~ 6,550,000
Are you looking at buying new or used Toyota Hiace in Kenya? Are you looking at selling your used Toyota Hiace in Kenya? Do you want to know the prices of new or used Toyota Hiace in Kenya? Do you want to know how to import Toyota Hiace from Japan? Please visit our show room in Karen, Nairobi and our sales agents will guide you.
Below is a list of Toyota Hiace for sale in Nairobi, Kenya and also others available in Japan. You can now buy and import year 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018 Toyota Hiace from Japan to Kenya.