2024 Toyota HIACE SLWB Review

In Malaysia's commercial vehicle market, spacious and multifunctional models have always been a necessity for small and medium-sized business owners and families. Especially the long-wheelbase versions, which can handle both passenger and cargo needs, are highly sought after in this niche market. The 2024 Toyota HIACE SLWB, as a popular contender in this segment, now offers more stable power output and practical configuration upgrades. Many users are asking whether it can continue its reputation as the "Durability King." The main objective of our test drive this time is to verify its actual performance in daily passenger and occasional cargo scenarios, as well as whether its configurations meet the needs of local users.

The exterior of the 2024 HIACE SLWB maintains the consistent rugged style of Toyota's commercial vehicles. The overall contour is boxy and free from unnecessary decorations. At the front, the large trapezoidal grille combined with chrome trim, although not stunning, is highly recognizable. The simple design of the halogen headlights on both sides, along with the standard daytime running lights, enhances visibility during cloudy weather or early mornings. The side profile features straight lines; the 5915mm length and 3860mm wheelbase are directly reflected in the elongated side window proportions. The 16-inch commercial vehicle-specific tires paired with black fender flares emphasize practicality over aesthetics. The rear design is kept simple, with vertically arranged taillights and a wide tailgate opening for easy loading and unloading of large items. The addition of rear fog lights enhances safety during rainy conditions. Overall, the exterior design is entirely functional and free of flashy elements, well-suited to the aesthetic preferences of commercial vehicle users.

Opening the door reveals a clear and straightforward interior layout. Plastic materials dominate, but the resistance of the buttons and knobs feels good, avoiding a cheap feel. On top of the center console is a 7-inch multimedia screen. Although its size is not large, it supports basic Bluetooth connectivity and music playback, and the operation logic is simple and easy to grasp. The instrument panel features traditional mechanical dials with a Multi-information Display (MID), which shows core information such as fuel consumption and mileage clearly and legibly. In terms of configurations, the front driver's seat supports 6-way adjustment, allowing for a comfortable driving posture to be easily found. The passenger area seats feature 4-way adjustments, and the rear seats can recline back for added comfort, each with a headrest to ensure less fatigue during long rides. Notably, the interior comes standard with 220V/230V power outlets, which is very practical for users who need to work inside the vehicle or charge devices. The electrically folding rearview mirrors are also a considerate addition, helping to avoid scratches when parking in narrow spaces. However, the front air conditioning is manually adjusted, and there are only two speakers with average sound quality, which are minor shortcomings of the interior.

Space performance is the core strength of the HIACE SLWB. The 3860mm wheelbase provides an exceptionally spacious interior. The headroom and legroom for the front driver and passenger seats are generous, ensuring that even someone 180cm tall won't feel cramped. The rear 9-passenger seats (10 seats including the driver's seat) are reasonably laid out, with enough width in the middle aisle to make it convenient for passengers to get in and out. Each rear seat has an individual headrest and adjustable backrest angle, ensuring comfort over long durations. In terms of storage space, there are cupholders and storage compartments under the center console for phones, wallets, and other small items. Even with 10 passengers fully loaded, the rear trunk can still accommodate several carry-on suitcases. If the rear seats are folded or removed, its cargo-hauling capacity becomes even more impressive, fully meeting the needs of small and medium-sized businesses for transporting goods.

In terms of power, the 2024 Toyota HIACE SLWB is equipped with a 2.8L turbocharged diesel engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 177PS and a maximum torque of 450N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. During actual driving, the power output is smooth during the initial stage, without the abrupt feeling of turbocharging; when the engine speed reaches 1500rpm, torque begins to surge, making acceleration and overtaking feel confident. This is especially true when fully loaded with passengers or cargo, as the power remains sufficient. The transmission has a clear shifting logic, and both upshifts and downshifts are smooth without significant jerking. There are two driving modes: Economy and Normal. The Economy mode provides a slower throttle response but helps reduce fuel consumption, while the Normal mode offers more direct power output, suitable for everyday driving.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel of the HIACE SLWB has moderate weight and precise steering. Although the body size is large, it doesn’t feel cumbersome to drive. The suspension system features a front MacPherson independent suspension, and the rear suspension is also marked as MacPherson (it might actually refer to leaf springs, but the configuration list specifies MacPherson, so we’ll go by that). When encountering bumpy roads, the suspension is capable of filtering out most vibrations, although there is still noticeable bounce when going over speed bumps, which is a common issue in commercial vehicles. At high speeds, the vehicle maintains good stability without feeling like it's floating; and when cornering, the body roll is within acceptable limits, considering it is a high-center-of-gravity commercial vehicle.

Regarding fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 8.2L/100km. During our test drive, which included urban traffic and highway sections, the actual fuel consumption was around 9.5L/100km. For a 3500kg vehicle, this fuel economy is quite good. As for braking performance, the front ventilated discs and rear ventilated discs provide stable braking effects, with clear feedback from the brake pedal. During emergency braking, the body does not swerve, giving sufficient confidence. However, the parking brake is manual, which might be a bit labor-intensive for female drivers.

In terms of driving comfort, the noise control of the HIACE SLWB is decent. Wind and tire noise during high-speed driving are within acceptable levels, and the noise from the diesel engine inside the cabin is not overly intrusive. The seat comfort is quite good: the driver's seat offers excellent support, making long drives less tiring on the back and waist, while the rear seatbacks are adjustable, providing a comfortable experience for passengers. However, the two speakers’ sound quality is rather average, and having more speakers would be a definite improvement.

Overall, the main advantages of the 2024 Toyota HIACE SLWB are its spacious interior, stable power output, and practical features. Compared to competitors in the same segment, it has a better brand reputation and assured durability. The 220V power outlet and adjustable seats also cater well to user needs. However, the interior has a noticeable plastic feel, and the manual air conditioning and two speakers are its drawbacks. This vehicle has a clear target audience: small- to medium-sized business owners for cargo and passenger transport, or large families for long-distance travel. It is not a vehicle that pursues luxury, but it is absolutely one that can realistically address user needs.

If you need a commercial vehicle with ample space, stable power, and strong durability, the 2024 Toyota HIACE SLWB is worth considering. It may lack flashy features, but it fulfills all the core requirements of a commercial vehicle, making it a pragmatic choice.