Verdict
The Aion Y Plus is the more rounded Malaysian daily driver: RM3,200 less to buy, with five seats, a 63.2 kWh battery rated for 430 km and road tax of RM160 a year. Its 201 hp motor and 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time also give it far more passenger-car pace. The Toyota Hiace is a very different tool, with only two seats but all-wheel drive, a 70-litre diesel tank and a 2,285 mm roofline suited to commercial work. Its RM835 annual road tax and sparse safety kit are harder to swallow for private use.
Pick the Aion Y Plus if you need a five-seat electric SUV with 430 km of claimed range, six airbags and a 360-degree camera.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if your priority is a two-seat commercial vehicle with all-wheel drive, a 70-litre diesel tank and a full-size spare wheel.
Key differences
- Price: Aion Y Plus RM119,800; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Powertrain: Aion Y Plus has a 201 hp, 225 Nm electric motor; Hiace has a 2.5-litre diesel with 101 hp and 260 Nm.
- Seats: Aion Y Plus has 5 seats; Hiace has 2 seats.
- Road tax: Aion Y Plus RM160 per year; Hiace RM835 per year.
- Safety: Aion Y Plus has 6 airbags and stability control; Hiace has 2 airbags and no stability control.
- Dimensions: Aion Y Plus is 4,535 mm long and 1,650 mm tall; Hiace is 4,695 mm long and 2,285 mm tall.
Y Plus
- 430 km claimed EV range from a 63.2 kWh battery
- Six airbags, stability control and 360-degree camera
- Eight-year, 160,000 km vehicle warranty
- No all-wheel drive; the Hiace has it
- Space-saver spare versus the Hiace's full-size 15-inch steel spare
- 225 Nm motor torque versus the Hiace's 260 Nm
Hiace
- All-wheel drive and 260 Nm diesel torque
- Full-size 15-inch steel spare wheel
- 2,285 mm height for a commercial body
- Only 2 seats versus the Aion Y Plus's 5
- 2 airbags and no stability control versus 6 airbags and stability control
- No reverse camera, while the Aion Y Plus has a 360-degree camera
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,800✓ | RM123,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Commercial |
| Segment | B-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 101 hp at 3,600 rpm |
| Torque | — | 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 92 mm × 93.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 18.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 225 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 63.2 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 430 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 80 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | — | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,535 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,650 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 405 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Chao Yang SU318a H/T | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| 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 Driver Seat, Manual Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Six-Speaker Bongiovi Sound System | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year, 200,000 km Warranty (Battery) | — |
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 Y Plus & Hiace for sale
Y Plus vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Aion Y Plus or Toyota Hiace better?
The Aion Y Plus is better for private passenger use, with five seats, 430 km claimed range, six airbags and far more convenience equipment. The Toyota Hiace is the choice only when its two-seat commercial layout, all-wheel drive and diesel running format suit the job.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace costs RM3,200 more than the Aion Y Plus: RM123,000 versus RM119,800. The gap is modest, but the Aion also has much lower annual road tax at RM160 compared with RM835.
Which has the stronger safety specification?
The Aion Y Plus has the stronger safety specification, with six airbags, stability control, ISOFIX on the outer rear seats and a 360-degree camera. The Toyota Hiace has two airbags, ABS/EBD and no stability control.
