Verdict
At RM115,900, the Honda HR-V is RM7,100 cheaper than the RM123,000 Toyota Hiace and makes far more sense for private Malaysian use: it seats five, returns a 335-litre boot and brings four airbags, stability control and Honda Sensing. The Hiace is a two-seat commercial with a 2.5-litre turbodiesel producing 260 Nm from 1,600 rpm, against the HR-V’s 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm. That low-down pull and 70-litre tank suit work duties, but its RM835 annual road tax versus RM120 is a serious running-cost penalty.
Pick the Honda HR-V if you need five seats, modern driver assistance and lower annual road tax in a 4,347-mm SUV.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if your priority is a two-seat commercial vehicle with 260 Nm of diesel torque and a 70-litre fuel tank.
Key differences
- Price: Honda HR-V RM115,900; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Annual road tax: Honda HR-V RM120; Toyota Hiace RM835.
- Torque: Honda HR-V 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm; Toyota Hiace 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm.
- Seating: Honda HR-V 5 seats; Toyota Hiace 2 seats.
- Fuel tank: Honda HR-V 40 litres; Toyota Hiace 70 litres.
- Safety: Honda HR-V has 4 airbags and stability control; Toyota Hiace has 2 airbags and no stability control.
HR-V
- RM7,100 lower purchase price and RM715 lower annual road tax.
- Five seats, 335-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Honda Sensing, four airbags, stability control and a multi-angle reverse camera.
- 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm trails the Hiace’s 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm.
- 40-litre fuel tank is 30 litres smaller than the Hiace’s 70-litre tank.
Hiace
- 260 Nm turbodiesel torque arrives from 1,600 rpm.
- 70-litre fuel tank, 30 litres larger than the HR-V’s.
- Full-size 15-inch steel spare tyre.
- RM7,100 higher purchase price and RM835 annual road tax versus the HR-V’s RM120.
- Only two seats, versus five in the HR-V.
- Two airbags and no stability control, where the HR-V gets four airbags, stability control and Honda Sensing.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM115,900✓ | RM123,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Commercial |
| Segment | B-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm✓ | 101 hp at 3,600 rpm |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | 92 mm × 93.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 18.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | CVT | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | — | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.1 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 186 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,347 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,591 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,274 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 335 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R18 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R18 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 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 | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | — |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A & USB-C Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers | 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 with Walk-away Auto Lock | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
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 HR-V & Hiace for sale
HR-V vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Honda HR-V or Toyota Hiace better?
The Honda HR-V is better for private use, with five seats, a 335-litre boot, Honda Sensing and RM120 road tax. The Toyota Hiace is the better work-focused choice if its 260 Nm diesel torque and 70-litre tank matter more than passenger capacity and safety equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace costs RM123,000, which is RM7,100 more than the Honda HR-V at RM115,900. Its annual road tax is also RM715 higher: RM835 versus RM120.
Which has the stronger engine?
The Toyota Hiace has more torque, producing 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm from its 2,494 cc turbodiesel. The Honda HR-V’s 1,498 cc petrol engine produces more power at 119 hp versus 101 hp, but only 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm.
