Verdict
At RM123,000, the Panel Van is the rational workhorse when a five-speed manual and 101 hp/260 Nm are enough. The RM169,000 SLWB costs RM46,000 more, but its 175 hp/450 Nm 2.755-litre diesel and six-speed automatic are a major step up, not a token trim change. It also gets stability control, a driver’s knee airbag and a reverse camera. For work where safety and convenience matter, the SLWB is the one to stretch for; otherwise, bank the difference.
Pick the Toyota Hiace Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel if you want the RM46,000 saving, lower RM835 annual road tax and a full-size spare tyre.
Pick the Toyota Hiace SLWB if you need 175 hp, 450 Nm, a six-speed automatic and substantially stronger safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: RM123,000 vs RM169,000
- Output: 101 hp and 260 Nm vs 175 hp and 450 Nm
- Transmission: five-speed manual vs six-speed sequential automatic
- Safety: two airbags and no stability control vs three airbags and stability control
- Parking aids: two rear sensors and no camera vs two front/four rear sensors plus reverse camera
- Warranty: three years/100,000 km vs five years/unlimited mileage
Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel
- RM46,000 cheaper to buy
- Lower RM835 annual road tax versus RM1,248
- Gets a full-size 15-inch steel spare tyre
- No stability control; the SLWB has it
- Two airbags versus the SLWB’s three, including a driver’s knee airbag
- No reverse camera, front parking sensors, Bluetooth or foglamps
SLWB
- 175 hp and 450 Nm from the 2.755-litre diesel
- Six-speed automatic with Tiptronic
- Stability control, reverse camera and six parking sensors
- Costs RM46,000 more
- RM1,248 annual road tax versus RM835
- No spare tyre is listed, while the Panel Van gets a full-size spare
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM123,000✓ | RM169,000 |
| Body type | Commercial | Commercial |
| Segment | Commercial | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM835✓ | RM1,248 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection, Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,494 cc | 2,755 cc |
| Horsepower | 101 hp | 175 hp✓ |
| Torque | 260 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore | 92 mm | 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 18.5 | 15.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 5 Speed Manual | 6 Speed Sequential Automatic |
| Gears | 5 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,695 mm | 5,915 mm |
| Width | 1,695 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Height | 2,285 mm | 2,280 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 3,860 mm |
| Weight | 1,890 kg | 2,550 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 2 | 10 |
| Front Tyre | 195R15C | 235/65R16C |
| Rear Tyre | 195R15C | 235/65R16C |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 15" Steel | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Spring | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 15" Steel | 16" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Steel | 16" Steel |
| 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 | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 10 Three-point |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Normal Bulb |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | Manual recline |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Audio | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers | 7" Infotainment Touchscreen with 2 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Manual Key |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | — | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| 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 cars for sale
Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel vs SLWB FAQ
Is the Toyota Hiace Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel or Toyota Hiace SLWB better?
The Toyota Hiace SLWB is better equipped and far stronger, with 175 hp, 450 Nm, an automatic gearbox, stability control and a reverse camera. The Panel Van is the better value choice if those upgrades do not justify RM46,000.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace SLWB costs RM46,000 more than the Toyota Hiace Panel Van 2.5 Turbo Diesel: RM169,000 against RM123,000.
Does the Toyota Hiace SLWB have better safety equipment?
Yes. The SLWB has three airbags including a driver’s knee airbag, stability control, an airbag-disable function and seatbelt reminders for all seats. The Panel Van has driver and passenger airbags, ABS/EBD and no stability control.
