Volkswagen Crafter vs Toyota Hiace Ses'fikile

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Volkswagen Crafter in South Africa

Volkswagen Crafter

50 Panel Van XLWB 8AT Diesel Current
ZAR 1,406,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 103 kW 🔧 340 Nm ⛽ 16.7 km/l
VS
Toyota Hiace Ses'fikile in South Africa

Toyota Hiace Ses'fikile

2.5D 16-seat MT Diesel 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 549,300 ex-showroom
⚡ 75 kW 🔧 260 Nm ⛽ 11 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Not enough comparable data
Fuel Economy Not enough comparable data
🛡 Safety Not enough comparable data
📦 Practicality Not enough comparable data
🔑 Ownership Not enough comparable data
Hiace Ses'fikile starts ZAR 311,900 cheaper Crafter from ZAR 861,200 · Hiace Ses'fikile from ZAR 549,300

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec Crafter Hiace Ses'fikile
Maximum Power 103 kW 75 kW
Maximum Torque 340 Nm 260 Nm
Engine Size 1968 cc 2494 cc
Combined Fuel Economy 16.7 km/l 11 km/l
Ground Clearance 195 mm 175 mm
Boot / Load Bay - -
Airbags Driver and front passenger airbags 2
Kerb Weight - 2080 kg
Seating Capacity 3 seats 16 seats
Warranty 3 years / 120 000 km 3 years / 100 000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

The verified specification tables are ready to compare, but Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Crafter Hiace Ses'fikile
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed 2019
Generation Current South African Crafter listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. H300 platform – purpose-built SA taxi configuration
Facelift History Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle. Current generation launched 2019 with improved safety features
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2019
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Van Van
Color Note Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering. White
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup Base grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note 4x2 configuration for the local line-up -
Model Year Current 2026
Production Status published published
Segment Van Van
Tare Mass Kg GVM class 5000 kg 2080 kg
Vehicle Type Van Van
Spec Crafter Hiace Ses'fikile
Length 7391 mm 5380 mm
Width 2040 mm 1880 mm
Height 2590 mm 2285 mm
Wheelbase 4490 mm 2985 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 195 mm 175 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 75 l 70 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 6000 kg 3500 kg
Seating Capacity 3 seats 16 seats
Doors 4 doors 4 doors
Kerb Weight - 2080 kg
Towing Capacity - 2000 kg
Minimum Turning Radius - 6.5 m

Catalogue Score Withheld

Hagalu does not turn missing specifications into neutral scores or guessed values.

Fail closed

Score withheld: fewer than four comparable categories or less than 50% weighted source coverage for at least one vehicle.

Use the verified key-spec and full-spec tables on this page. A ranked index will appear only after every selected vehicle has source-backed data in at least four categories and reaches 50% weighted coverage.

How to Read This Comparison

No overall winner is declared because the selected vehicles do not yet meet Hagalu's minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold. Compare the confirmed rows and verify the exact derivative before buying.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.

Hagalu does not publish a guaranteed resale winner. Depreciation depends on age, mileage, condition, derivative, colour, supply and demand. Compare several current used-market listings and obtain trade-in valuations for equivalent examples before relying on a resale estimate.

Check the exact derivatives for drive type, ground clearance, tyres, approach and departure angles, wading depth and low-range gearing where officially disclosed. SUV styling or all-wheel drive alone does not prove that a vehicle is suitable for demanding off-road use.

Calculate each exact derivative using your monthly distance and a current fuel or electricity price, then add finance, insurance, scheduled service, tyres and licence costs. Hagalu does not claim a fixed monthly saving without those buyer-specific inputs.

It is worth more only when the exact price difference buys equipment, space, performance or ownership cover that matters to you. Compare like-for-like lifecycle states and derivatives; a current offer and a historical last-listed price are not directly equivalent.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

This Crafter and Hiace Ses'fikile comparison keeps the exact South African derivatives, lifecycle states, available prices and verified specifications side by side.

Hagalu has withheld an overall score because at least one selected vehicle does not yet have four comparable categories and 50% weighted source coverage. Missing catalogue evidence is not replaced with a neutral score or a guessed value.

Use the key-spec and full-spec tables to compare the fields that are confirmed. For a purchase decision, verify current availability, exact derivative equipment, finance, insurance and ownership cover with the relevant manufacturer or authorised retailer.