It’s interesting that the flat-nose Toyota Hiace is still around, 21 years after it was launched. Yes, that version of the ever popular van has been putting in the work for that long already, even if the newer generation is splitting duties with it.
But the long hood model is slowly but surely lightening the load for the older Hiace. That’s thanks in part to the Commuter getting a new variant in the form of the Deluxe Cargo.
With that, there are now five utility-oriented models of the Hiace that includes both body styles of the van. And despite the addition of the Deluxe Cargo, the flat-nose Cargo will still be around.
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So, why offer two versions of the Cargo? It’s worth pointing out that the Cargo Deluxe is much larger than the standard version, not just in dimensions but also in interior volume. The new variant is likely for those who need a much bigger hauler but find the older Cargo a touch on the small side now.
For those who want to see numbers, we’ve listed down the dimensions of both Cargo variants. The standard model measures in at 4,695mm long, 1,695mm wide, 1,980mm tall, and with a 2,530mm wheelbase. Meanwhile, the new Deluxe Cargo is 5,265mm long, 1,950mm wide, 1,990mm tall, and rides on a lengthy 3,210mm wheelbase. Both models are stripped of their rear seats, meaning only three occupants can ride these vans.
Under the hood of the Toyota Hiace Deluxe Cargo is the familiar 2.8-liter turbodiesel dubbed the 1GD-FTV. It’s the same block used in the Hilux, Innova, and Fortuner, albeit slightly detuned at 174hp and 420Nm. That said, it’s still far more than the standard Commuter’s 3.0-liter turbodiesel with 134hp and 300Nm. The Deluxe Cargo also benefits from a six-speed manual compared to just five speeds in the smaller Cargo.
How much is the new Deluxe Cargo, you ask? In case you missed the headline, it retails for P1,621,000, a good chunk of change more than the flat-nose Cargo. But if you’re curious how much the rest of the utility-oriented models are, check out the list below.
Prices and variants of the Toyota Hiace utility models:
Hiace Cargo – P1,195,000
Hiace Commuter – P1,396,000
Hiace Ambulance – P1,516,000
Hiace Commuter Deluxe Cargo – P1,621,000
Hiace Commuter Deluxe – P1,877,000
