Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer carrying people, the Mitsubishi Xforce is the clear choice: RM109,980 buys five seats, a 410-litre boot, four airbags, stability control and a 360-degree camera. Its RM120 annual road tax is also far easier on the wallet than the Toyota Hiace’s RM835. The RM13,020 dearer Hiace is a two-seat commercial vehicle, but its 2.5-litre turbodiesel produces 260 Nm from 1,600 rpm against the Xforce’s 141 Nm, and it has all-wheel drive. Pick it only when that low-rev torque and commercial format matter more than passenger accommodation and equipment.
Pick the Mitsubishi Xforce if you need five seats, a 410-litre boot and substantially stronger safety and convenience equipment for less money.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need a two-seat commercial vehicle with 260 Nm of diesel torque, all-wheel drive and a 70-litre fuel tank.
Key differences
- Price: Mitsubishi Xforce RM109,980; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Torque: Mitsubishi Xforce 141 Nm at 4,000 rpm; Toyota Hiace 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm.
- Road tax: Mitsubishi Xforce RM120 per year; Toyota Hiace RM835 per year.
- Seating: Mitsubishi Xforce five seats; Toyota Hiace two seats.
- Safety: Mitsubishi Xforce has four airbags and stability control; Toyota Hiace has two airbags and no stability control.
- Fuel tank: Mitsubishi Xforce 42 litres; Toyota Hiace 70 litres.
Xforce
- Five seats and a 410-litre boot.
- Four airbags, stability control and a 360-degree camera.
- RM13,020 lower purchase price and RM715 lower annual road tax.
- 141 Nm is 119 Nm down on the Hiace’s 260 Nm.
- 42-litre fuel tank is 28 litres smaller than the Hiace’s 70 litres.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Hiace’s all-wheel drive.
Hiace
- 260 Nm turbodiesel torque from just 1,600 rpm.
- All-wheel drive and a 70-litre fuel tank.
- Full-size 15-inch steel spare wheel.
- Only two seats, against the Xforce’s five.
- Two airbags and no stability control, versus four airbags and stability control.
- Five-speed manual transmission, where the Xforce uses a CVT automatic.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM109,980✓ | 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 naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 104 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 101 hp at 3,600 rpm |
| Torque | 141 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 75 mm × 84.8 mm | 92 mm × 93.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 18.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | — | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,390 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,250 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 42 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R18 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R18 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Proxes CR1 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 4 stars — With 2 airbags and no stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) | 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 rear passenger seats | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear vents | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree view | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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 Xforce & Hiace for sale
Xforce vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Mitsubishi Xforce or Toyota Hiace better?
The Xforce is better for passenger use, with five seats, a 410-litre boot, four airbags and stability control. The Hiace is the better fit only for buyers needing its two-seat commercial layout, 260 Nm diesel torque and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace costs RM13,020 more than the Mitsubishi Xforce. Its annual road tax is also RM715 higher.
Which one has more torque?
The Toyota Hiace has 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm, compared with the Mitsubishi Xforce’s 141 Nm at 4,000 rpm. That is a 119 Nm advantage for the Hiace, delivered much earlier in the rev range.
