Verdict
For Malaysian buyers carrying people, the Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer is the decisive choice: 10 seats, a 208 hp/350 Nm petrol four and nine-speed automatic versus the Toyota Hiace’s two seats, 101 hp/260 Nm diesel and five-speed manual. It also gets six airbags, stability control, Active Brake Assist and a reverse camera, where the Hiace has two airbags, no stability control and no camera. The Toyota’s all-wheel drive, 1,890 kg weight and shorter 4,695 mm body suit a work-focused brief; the Vito is 5,370 mm long and weighs 3,100 kg.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer if you need 10 seats, an automatic transmission and substantially more active and passive safety equipment.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if your brief is a two-seat commercial vehicle with all-wheel drive, a diesel engine and a much lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer RM435,000; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Seating: Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer 10 seats; Toyota Hiace 2 seats.
- Output: Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer 208 hp and 350 Nm; Toyota Hiace 101 hp and 260 Nm.
- Transmission and drive: Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer 9-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive; Toyota Hiace 5-speed manual, all-wheel drive.
- Safety: Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer 6 airbags with stability control; Toyota Hiace 2 airbags with no stability control.
- Length and wheelbase: Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer 5,370 mm and 3,430 mm; Toyota Hiace 4,695 mm and 2,570 mm.
Vito Tourer
- 10-seat cabin with sliding and folding rear seating
- 208 hp, 350 Nm petrol engine with 9G-TRONIC automatic
- Six airbags, stability control, Active Brake Assist and reverse camera
- RM312,000 more expensive
- 5,370 mm long and 3,100 kg, versus the Hiace’s 4,695 mm and 1,890 kg
- Rear-wheel drive rather than the Hiace’s all-wheel drive
Hiace
- All-wheel drive with a 2,494 cc diesel engine
- Shorter 4,695 mm body and 1,890 kg weight
- Full-size 15-inch steel spare tyre
- Only two seats, against the Vito Tourer’s 10
- 101 hp and 260 Nm trail the Vito Tourer’s 208 hp and 350 Nm
- Two airbags, no stability control, no reverse camera and only two rear parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM435,000 | RM123,000✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Commercial |
| Segment | Commercial | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM436✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 101 hp at 3,600 rpm |
| Torque | 350 Nm at 1,300 rpm✓ | 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 92 mm | 92 mm × 93.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | 18.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 9G-TRONIC | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | 9 | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,370 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,928 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,958 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,430 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 3,100 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 10 | 2 |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R17 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R17 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Econodrive | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Spain (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-twin-spoke Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-twin-spoke 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 | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 10 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for Rear Passenger Seats in 2nd and 3rd Row | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Safety Notes | Attention Assist | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding and Sliding 2nd Row, Captain Seats 3rd Row, Folding and Sliding 4th Row Bench | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Rear | — |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen Audio 30 with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Manual Key |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | — |
| Parking Brake | Foot-operated | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 3 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 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 Vito Tourer & Hiace for sale
Vito Tourer vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer or Toyota Hiace better?
The Vito Tourer is better for transporting passengers, with 10 seats, an automatic gearbox and far more safety equipment. The Hiace is the better fit for a two-seat commercial role requiring all-wheel drive and diesel power.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer costs RM312,000 more than the Toyota Hiace.
Which is safer, the Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer or Toyota Hiace?
The Vito Tourer is safer on specification: it has six airbags, stability control, Active Brake Assist, collision warning and lane-keeping assist. The Hiace has two airbags, ABS/EBD and no stability control.
