Source type: Toyota Uganda/CFAO specifications; user-supplied estimates for remaining fields
Toyota Hiace/Commuter vs Toyota Hiace GD
A proper head-to-head in Uganda — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Toyota Hiace/Commuter
Hiace Bus 2.5L 15-Seats MT DLX
Diesel
5-Speed Manual
Current
UGX 189,600,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 75 kW
🔧 260 Nm
⛽ 12.5 km/l
VS
Toyota Hiace GD
2.8 GD 15-Seater 6MT
Diesel
6-Speed Manual
Current
UGX 225,000,000
ex-showroom
⛽ 12.5 km/l
Decision summary
Toyota Hiace/Commuter vs Toyota Hiace GD: the short answer
Hiace/Commuter and Hiace GD are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Hiace/Commuter starts UGX 35,400,000 cheaper
Hiace/Commuter from UGX 189,600,000 · Hiace GD from UGX 225,000,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives| Specification | Hiace/Commuter | Hiace GD |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Power | Hiace/Commuter75 kW @ 3600 rpm | Hiace GDNot Officially Disclosed |
| Maximum Torque | Hiace/Commuter260 Nm @ 1600-2400 rpm | Hiace GDNot Officially Disclosed |
| Engine Size | Hiace/Commuter2494 cc | Hiace GD2755 cc |
| Combined Fuel Economy | Hiace/Commuter12.5 km/l | Hiace GD12.5 km/l |
| Ground Clearance | Hiace/Commuter195 mm | Hiace GD185 mm |
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
Hiace/Commuter
Strengths
- Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
- No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:
General Use
Hiace GD
Strengths
- Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
- No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:
General Use
Which One's Right for You?
Hiace/Commuter
- Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Hiace GD
- Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
| Spec | Hiace/Commuter | Hiace GD |
|---|---|---|
| Model Introduced Year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Generation | Current Uganda-market Hiace passenger-bus generation | Uganda 2.8-litre GD passenger-van family, distinct from the separately listed 2.5-litre Hiace variants. Public 14-seat and supplied 15-seat identities require separate build matching. |
| Facelift History | No local facelift confirmed | No local facelift confirmed |
| Facelift Launched Since | Original current-generation version | Original current-generation version |
| Facelift Version Ending | Current | Current |
| Body Style | Small bus | Passenger van |
| Model Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Production Status | active | active |
| Segment | Passenger transport minibus | Light commercial passenger vehicle |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger minibus | Minibus |
| Spec | Hiace/Commuter | Hiace GD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4700 mm | 5915 mm |
| Width | 1780 mm | 1950 mm |
| Height | 1980 mm | 2280 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2570 mm | 3860 mm |
| Ground Clearance (Default) | 195 mm | 185 mm |
| Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) | 170 mm | 170 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 70 l | 70 l |
| Boot/Cargo Space | 1000 l | 1000 l |
| Kerb Weight | 1833.88 kg | 2350 kg |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | 3050 kg | 3500 kg |
| Payload Capacity | 1110 kg | 1150 kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750 kg | 750 kg |
| Seating Capacity | 15 seats | 15 seats |
| Number of Rows | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Doors | 4 doors | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 5 m | 7.9 m |
| Front Headroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Rear Headroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Front Legroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Rear Legroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
In depth: how these cars differ
This Hiace/Commuter and Hiace GD comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for Uganda. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Hiace/Commuter 43 vs Hiace GD 43.
Efficiency index: Hiace/Commuter 54 vs Hiace GD 54.
Safety-equipment index: Hiace/Commuter 44 vs Hiace GD 44.
Practicality index: Hiace/Commuter 81 vs Hiace GD 81.
Ownership-cover index: Hiace/Commuter not separately scored vs Hiace GD not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Hiace/Commuter and Hiace GD image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Toyota Hiace/Commuter
View 8 more Hiace/Commuter images
Toyota Hiace GD
View 8 more Hiace GD images
Specification Evidence Index
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence-index readout
Hiace/Commuter leads by 0 points
Hiace/Commuter and Hiace GD are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Evidence leader
55
/100
Lead
0
points
Data
74%
source coverage
55
#1
Evidence leader
Hiace/Commuter
Performance
43
Efficiency
54
Safety
44
Practicality
81
Leads by 0 points
55
#2
Hiace GD
Performance
43
Efficiency
54
Safety
44
Practicality
81
Performance 24%
Safety 22%
Practicality 22%
Efficiency 17%
Ownership 15%
Category leaders
What moves the verdict
Performance
Level
Efficiency
Level
Safety
Level
Practicality
Level
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Hiace/Commuter
Performance
43/100
Efficiency
54/100
Safety
44/100
Practicality
81/100
Hiace GD
Performance
43/100
Efficiency
54/100
Safety
44/100
Practicality
81/100
What the evidence means
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Hiace/Commuter leads. However, Hiace GD may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in Uganda.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related Uganda models and comparable body styles.
Hiace/Commuter vs Hiace GD questions
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in Uganda 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.