The Toyota Hiace is a motor vehicle produced by the Japanese manufacturer Toyota. First launched in 1967, the Hiace has since been available in a wide range of configurations, including minivan (MPV) and minibus, van, pick-up, taxi, ambulance and motorhome.

1st generation

Introduced in 1967, the Hiace was offered as cab-over pick-up, delivery van, and Commuter. And also named Hiace Commercial as a campervan. A very rare model these days mostly because of weather wear and rust, in Europe most of the vans are exported to Africa as they enjoy a longer life there.

2nd generation

The new Hiace of 1977 featured a smoother cab with single headlights. In addition to the petrol engine, a 2.2-litre diesel engine was offered in certain markets. New for the "20-40 series" Hiace were double-cab pick-up, super-long-wheelbase van, and high-roof Commuter.

When the third generation was released in 1982, certain variants of the 2nd generation were still built for several years after.

3rd generation

A new Hiace van was launched in 1982, with the Hiace pick-up coming later; the cab was shared with the bigger Toyoace light truck, however with different frontal styling. The Van is coded 50-series for short wheelbase, 60 for long, and 70 for super long. The pick-up trucks are 80 and 90-series. The Toyota Mobile Lounge, displayed at the 1987 Tokyo Motor Show, is based on the Hiace high-roof Commuter. While the van and Commuter were redesigned in 1989, the pick-up lasted until mid-1990s. This was the last Hiace pick-up.

4th generation

The fourth generation model appeared in 1989 and was available as a "wagon" in standard- and long-wheelbase; a Grand Cabin; standard- and long-wheelbase van; long- and super-long-wheelbase high-roof van. The latter shares a body with the Commuter, which is a 15-seat minibus.

A wide range of engines were used in the 4th generation vehicles, ranging from 2-litre petrol engines to 3-litre turbo-diesel engines. Most of the versions use part-time four-wheel drive but some models feature rear-wheel drive or permanent four-wheel drive system. The base model is the DX, with CD, GL, and super GL models also available.

Granvia / European Hiace

Launched for Japanese market only in 1995, the Granvia is a semi-bonneted van, with the front wheels positioned in front of the front seats for better safety. The engine for Granvia is either a 2.4L or 3.0L diesel, or 3.4L petrol. The Granvia spawned into the upmarket multi-purpose vehicles the Hiace Regius, the Grand Hiace and the Touring Hiace. In Australia, the Granvia was sold as the Hiace SBV with a 1.8L 4KE motor, alongside the fourth generation Hiace, and both were replaced by the new fifth Generation Hiace.