Verdict
The Toyota Hiace SLWB asks RM46,000 more, but brings a much stronger 175 hp and 450 Nm 2.8-litre diesel against the Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel’s 101 hp and 260 Nm. That is a major gain for carrying 10 occupants, and the six-speed automatic, stability control, six airbags and reverse camera make it the more rounded people-moving Hiace. The RM123,000 Panel Van remains the rational work-focused choice if two seats, a five-speed manual and all-wheel drive suit the job better than passenger capacity and extra kit.
Pick the Toyota Hiace Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel if two seats, all-wheel drive and the lower RM123,000 entry price matter more than automatic convenience and passenger accommodation.
Pick the Toyota Hiace SLWB if you need 10 seats, 175 hp, 450 Nm, a six-speed automatic and substantially better safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: RM123,000 for the Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel versus RM169,000 for the SLWB.
- Output: 101 hp and 260 Nm for the Panel Van versus 175 hp and 450 Nm for the SLWB.
- Transmission: five-speed manual for the Panel Van versus six-speed sequential automatic with Tiptronic for the SLWB.
- Seating: two seats in the Panel Van versus 10 seats in the SLWB.
- Safety: two airbags and no stability control in the Panel Van versus six airbags and stability control in the SLWB.
- Parking assistance: two rear sensors and no camera in the Panel Van versus four rear sensors, two front sensors and a reverse camera in the SLWB.
Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel
- Lower RM123,000 purchase price.
- All-wheel drive.
- Lighter 1,890 kg kerb weight.
- 101 hp and 260 Nm trail the SLWB’s 175 hp and 450 Nm.
- Five-speed manual instead of the SLWB’s six-speed automatic.
- Has two airbags and no stability control, reverse camera or front parking sensors.
SLWB
- 175 hp and 450 Nm diesel.
- Six-speed sequential automatic with Tiptronic.
- Six airbags, stability control and a reverse camera.
- Costs RM46,000 more to buy.
- RM1,248 annual road tax versus RM835.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than the Panel Van’s all-wheel drive.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM123,000✓ | RM169,000 |
| Body type | Commercial | Commercial |
| Segment | Commercial | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM835✓ | RM1,248 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection, Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,494 cc | 2,755 cc |
| Horsepower | 101 hp at 3,600 rpm | 175 hp at 3,400 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm | 450 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 92 mm × 93.8 mm | 92 mm × 103.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 18.5 | 15.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 5 Speed Manual | 6 Speed Sequential Automatic |
| Gears | 5 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,695 mm | 5,915 mm |
| Width | 1,695 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Height | 2,285 mm | 2,280 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 3,860 mm |
| Weight | 1,890 kg | 2,550 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 2 | 10 |
| Front Tyre | 195R15C | 235/65R16C |
| Rear Tyre | 195R15C | 235/65R16C |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 15" Steel | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Spring | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 15" Steel | 16" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Steel | 16" Steel |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 4 stars — With 2 airbags and no stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 10 Three-point |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Normal Bulb |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | Manual recline |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Audio | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers | 7" Infotainment Touchscreen with 2 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Manual Key |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 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 cars for sale
Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel vs SLWB FAQ
Is the Toyota Hiace Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel or Toyota Hiace SLWB better?
The Hiace SLWB is better for carrying people and for safety, with 10 seats, 175 hp, 450 Nm, six airbags and stability control. Choose the Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel for a lower-cost two-seat commercial vehicle with all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace SLWB costs RM46,000 more than the Toyota Hiace Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel: RM169,000 versus RM123,000.
Does the Toyota Hiace SLWB have better safety equipment?
Yes. The SLWB has six airbags, stability control, an airbag-disable function and seatbelt reminders for all seats. The Panel Van has two airbags and ABS/EBD, but no stability control.
