Verdict
These are radically different tools at a RM3,260 gap. The iCaur 03 is the sensible private-car choice: five seats, a 450-litre boot, 181 hp and 426 km of EV range, plus six airbags, stability control and active safety systems. Its RM140 annual road tax also undercuts the Hiace’s RM835 by RM695. The Toyota Hiace is the commercial alternative, with two seats, a 2.5-litre 101 hp diesel, five-speed manual and all-wheel drive. Choose it for its taller 2,285 mm body and work-focused layout, not passenger refinement or safety kit.
Pick the iCaur 03 if you need a five-seat EV with 426 km range, 450 litres of boot space and far more safety equipment.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need a two-seat commercial vehicle with all-wheel drive, a 70-litre diesel tank and a 2,285 mm-tall body.
Key differences
- Price: iCaur 03 RM119,740; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Powertrain: iCaur 03 has a 181 hp, 220 Nm electric motor; Hiace has a 101 hp, 260 Nm 2.5-litre turbodiesel.
- Seats: iCaur 03 has 5; Hiace has 2.
- Annual road tax: iCaur 03 RM140; Hiace RM835.
- Safety: iCaur 03 has 6 airbags and stability control; Hiace has 2 airbags and no stability control.
- Dimensions: iCaur 03 is 4,406 mm long and 1,715 mm tall; Hiace is 4,695 mm long and 2,285 mm tall.
03
- 426 km EV range from a 65.69 kWh battery
- Six airbags, stability control, AEB and lane-keeping assist
- Five seats and a 450-litre boot
- Rear-wheel drive versus the Hiace’s all-wheel drive
- 220 Nm motor torque versus the Hiace’s 260 Nm
- 289 mm shorter and 570 mm lower than the Hiace
Hiace
- All-wheel drive and 260 Nm diesel torque
- Taller 2,285 mm commercial body
- Full-size 15-inch steel spare tyre
- RM835 annual road tax versus RM140 for the iCaur 03
- Two seats versus five, with only two airbags
- No stability control, autonomous braking, reverse camera or parking sensors at the front
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,740✓ | RM123,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Commercial |
| Segment | C-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM140✓ | 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 | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 220 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 65.69 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 426 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 80 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.2 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | — | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.5 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 150 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,406 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,910 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,715 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,715 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,775 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 450 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | GitiControl P10 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 15" Steel |
| Steering | Rack & 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 & Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) | 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Ventilation | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System | 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 Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | 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 | Remote Control Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| 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 |
| Warranty Notes | Power battery 10-yr/200,000 km; drive unit and HV components 10-yr/200,000 km; one-to-one battery replacement below 60% health | — |
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 03 & Hiace for sale
03 vs Hiace FAQ
Is the iCaur 03 or Toyota Hiace better?
The iCaur 03 is better for private use, with five seats, 426 km EV range, six airbags and active safety systems. The Hiace is better only where its two-seat commercial format, all-wheel drive and much taller body suit the job.
What is the price difference?
The iCaur 03 costs RM119,740 and the Toyota Hiace costs RM123,000, so the Hiace is RM3,260 more expensive.
Which has the lower running tax and longer warranty?
The iCaur 03 has RM140 annual road tax against the Hiace’s RM835. It also carries a seven-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty, while its battery, drive unit and high-voltage components are covered for 10 years/200,000 km; the Hiace warranty is three years/100,000 km.
