Verdict
At RM123,800, the GAC Emkoo costs RM800 more than the RM123,000 Toyota Hiace, but it is the far more car-like choice for five people. Its 175 hp/270 Nm 1.5-litre turbo, 7DCT and 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time contrast sharply with the Hiace’s 101 hp/260 Nm 2.5-litre diesel and five-speed manual. The Emkoo also brings six airbags, stability control and autonomous braking, while annual road tax is just RM120 against RM835. The Hiace makes sense only when its commercial layout, all-wheel drive and 70-litre tank suit the job.
Pick the GAC Emkoo if you need five seats, a 638-litre boot and substantially stronger safety equipment for daily family use.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if a two-seat commercial vehicle with all-wheel drive, a 70-litre diesel tank and leaf-spring rear suspension fits your work better.
Key differences
- Price: GAC Emkoo RM123,800; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Output: GAC Emkoo 175 hp and 270 Nm; Toyota Hiace 101 hp and 260 Nm.
- Seating: GAC Emkoo five seats; Toyota Hiace two seats.
- Safety: GAC Emkoo six airbags and stability control; Toyota Hiace two airbags and no stability control.
- Transmission: GAC Emkoo seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic; Toyota Hiace five-speed manual.
- Annual road tax: GAC Emkoo RM120; Toyota Hiace RM835.
Emkoo
- 175 hp and 270 Nm from the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine.
- Six airbags, stability control, autonomous braking and a 360-degree camera.
- Five seats, 638-litre boot and 2,750 mm wheelbase.
- No all-wheel drive; the Hiace has it.
- 55-litre fuel tank versus the Hiace’s 70 litres.
Hiace
- All-wheel drive and a 70-litre diesel fuel tank.
- Commercial body with leaf-spring rear suspension.
- RM800 lower purchase price and a full-size 15-inch steel spare wheel.
- 101 hp trails the Emkoo’s 175 hp, and it has a five-speed manual rather than a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
- Only two seats versus five in the Emkoo.
- Two airbags and no stability control, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or reverse camera.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM123,800 | RM123,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Commercial |
| Segment | C-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 175 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 101 hp at 3,600 rpm |
| Torque | 270 Nm at 1,400 rpm✓ | 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 92 mm × 93.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 18.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 7DCT | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | 7 | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,680 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,901 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,540 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 638 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 15" Steel |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 4 stars — With 2 airbags and no stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilated Driver's Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Manual Recline | — |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 7 Year, 180,000 km Powertrain Warranty | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Emkoo & Hiace for sale
Emkoo vs Hiace FAQ
Is the GAC Emkoo or Toyota Hiace better?
The GAC Emkoo is better for most private buyers: it has five seats, 175 hp, six airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. The Toyota Hiace is the better fit only for buyers who specifically need a two-seat commercial vehicle with all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The GAC Emkoo costs RM123,800 and the Toyota Hiace costs RM123,000, so the Emkoo is RM800 more expensive. Its annual road tax is RM120, however, compared with RM835 for the Hiace.
Which has the stronger safety package?
The GAC Emkoo does. It has six airbags, stability control, autonomous braking, collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera. The Toyota Hiace has two airbags, ABS/EBD and two rear parking sensors.
