Verdict
These are radically different tools despite a modest RM6,200 price gap: the Chery O5 costs RM116,800 and the Toyota Hiace RM123,000. For five occupants, the O5’s 145 hp, 230 Nm petrol turbo, six-speed wet DCT and 378-litre boot make far more sense, while its six airbags and stability control are decisive. The Hiace is a two-seat diesel commercial with a manual gearbox, but brings 260 Nm from 1,600 rpm, all-wheel drive and a 70-litre tank. Its RM835 annual road tax versus RM120 also matters.
Pick the Chery O5 if you need five seats, 378 litres of boot space, substantially stronger safety equipment and a seven-year/150,000-km warranty.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if a two-seat commercial layout, 260 Nm diesel torque, all-wheel drive and a 70-litre fuel tank suit the job.
Key differences
- Power: Chery O5 145 hp at 5,500 rpm; Toyota Hiace 101 hp at 3,600 rpm.
- Torque: Chery O5 230 Nm at 1,750 rpm; Toyota Hiace 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm.
- Seating: Chery O5 five seats; Toyota Hiace two seats.
- Safety: Chery O5 has six airbags and stability control; Toyota Hiace has two airbags and no stability control.
- Transmission: Chery O5 uses a six-speed wet DCT; Toyota Hiace uses a five-speed manual.
- Warranty: Chery O5 gets seven years/150,000 km; Toyota Hiace gets three years/100,000 km.
O5
- Five seats and a 378-litre boot.
- 145 hp, six-speed wet DCT and front-wheel drive.
- Six airbags, stability control, autonomous braking and a 360-degree camera.
- Lower 230 Nm torque than the Hiace’s 260 Nm.
- Smaller 51-litre fuel tank than the Hiace’s 70 litres.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
Hiace
- 260 Nm diesel torque arrives at 1,600 rpm.
- All-wheel drive and a 70-litre fuel tank.
- Full-size 15-inch steel spare tyre.
- Only two seats against the O5’s five.
- 101 hp trails the O5’s 145 hp.
- Two airbags and no stability control, versus six airbags and stability control in the O5.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM116,800✓ | 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 with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 145 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 101 hp at 3,600 rpm |
| Torque | 230 Nm at 1,750 rpm | 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 77 mm × 80.5 mm | 92 mm × 93.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 18.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed DCT | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,400 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,588 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,630 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,434 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 378 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R18 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R18 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Giti GitiComfort F50 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 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 for two outer middle row passenger seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-way Power Adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide, Manual Sunshade | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 1 Front 15W Wireless Charger, 1 Front 12V Socket, 1 Rear USB, 1 Boot 12V Socket | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen Display, Sony Premium Audio with 8 Speakers, Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 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 O5 & Hiace for sale
O5 vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Chery O5 or Toyota Hiace better?
The Chery O5 is the better choice for passenger use: it has five seats, 145 hp, six airbags, stability control and a 378-litre boot. Choose the Toyota Hiace only when its two-seat commercial format, 260 Nm diesel torque and all-wheel drive are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace costs RM6,200 more than the Chery O5. It also carries RM835 annual road tax, compared with RM120 for the O5.
Which has the better warranty?
The Chery O5 has the longer manufacturer warranty at seven years or 150,000 km. The Toyota Hiace is covered for three years or 100,000 km.
