Verdict
At RM123,000, the Toyota Hiace is RM42,000 cheaper and its 260 Nm diesel arrives at 1,600 rpm, but it is a two-seat commercial vehicle with a five-speed manual. The RM165,000 Innova Zenix is the Malaysian family choice: eight seats, 174 hp, a 10-speed CVT and a 2,850-mm wheelbase against 2,570 mm. It also brings six airbags, stability control and TSS pre-collision braking, where the Hiace has two airbags and no stability control. Choose the Hiace only when two-seat commercial duty and AWD matter more than passenger carrying and safety kit.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need a two-seat commercial vehicle with AWD, a 70-litre tank and 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm.
Pick the Toyota Innova Zenix if you need eight seats, automatic driving and substantially stronger active and passive safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota Hiace RM123,000; Toyota Innova Zenix RM165,000.
- Seating: Toyota Hiace 2 seats; Toyota Innova Zenix 8 seats.
- Powertrain: Toyota Hiace 101 hp/260 Nm with a five-speed manual; Toyota Innova Zenix 174 hp/205 Nm with a 10-speed CVT.
- Driveline: Toyota Hiace all-wheel drive; Toyota Innova Zenix front-wheel drive.
- Safety: Toyota Hiace has 2 airbags and no stability control; Toyota Innova Zenix has 6 airbags and stability control.
- Wheelbase: Toyota Hiace 2,570 mm; Toyota Innova Zenix 2,850 mm.
Hiace
- RM42,000 lower purchase price
- 260 Nm diesel torque from 1,600 rpm
- All-wheel drive and 70-litre fuel tank
- Only two seats versus eight
- Five-speed manual versus 10-speed CVT automatic
- Two airbags and no stability control, versus six airbags, stability control and TSS pre-collision braking
Innova Zenix
- Eight seats with split-folding middle and last rows
- Six airbags, stability control, blind-spot monitoring and TSS pre-collision braking
- 174 hp petrol engine, 10-speed CVT and adaptive cruise control with stop and go
- RM42,000 more expensive
- 205 Nm arrives at 4,500 rpm, versus the Hiace's 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm
- Front-wheel drive and a 52-litre tank, versus AWD and 70 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM123,000✓ | RM165,000 |
| Body type | Commercial | MPV |
| Segment | Commercial | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM835 | RM435✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 4-cylinder inline, 16 valve DOHC, Toyota Dynamic Force Direct Injection |
| Capacity | 2,494 cc | 1,987 cc |
| Horsepower | 101 hp at 3,600 rpm | 174 hp at 6,600 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ | 205 Nm at 4,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 92 mm × 93.8 mm | 80.5 mm × 97.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 18.5 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 5 Speed Manual | 10-speed Direct Shift CVT with Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | 5 | 10 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,695 mm | 4,760 mm |
| Width | 1,695 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 2,285 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 1,890 kg | 1,595 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 2 | 8 |
| Boot Space | — | 239 litres |
| Front Tyre | 195R15C | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 195R15C | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 15" Steel | Full-size 16" Steel 205/65R16 Tyre |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Indonesia (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Spring | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Steel | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Steel | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 4 stars — With 2 airbags and no stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 8 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on two outer middle passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | — | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 1 Front Cig Socket, 2 Middle Row USB-C, 1 Rear Row Cig Socket |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers | 10.1" Capacitive Touchscreen Display, 6 Speakers, Wireless Carplay and Wired Android Auto, USB and Bluetooth |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Powered boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 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 Hiace & Innova Zenix for sale
Hiace vs Innova Zenix FAQ
Is the Toyota Hiace or Toyota Innova Zenix better?
The Toyota Innova Zenix is better for passenger use, with eight seats, a CVT, six airbags, stability control and TSS pre-collision braking. The Hiace is the better fit only for two-seat commercial work requiring AWD and low-rpm diesel torque.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Innova Zenix costs RM42,000 more than the Toyota Hiace.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Toyota Innova Zenix has lower annual road tax at RM435, compared with RM835 for the Toyota Hiace.
