Source type: Toyota Uganda/CFAO specifications; user-supplied estimates for remaining fields
Toyota Hiace/Commuter vs Toyota Hiace Van
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 Van
HIACE PANEL VAN 2.5L DSL
Diesel
5-Speed Manual
Current
UGX 175,000,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 75 kW
🔧 260 Nm
⛽ 12.5 km/l
Decision summary
Toyota Hiace/Commuter vs Toyota Hiace Van: the short answer
Hiace/Commuter and Hiace Van are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Hiace Van starts UGX 14,600,000 cheaper
Hiace/Commuter from UGX 189,600,000 · Hiace Van from UGX 175,000,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives| Specification | Hiace/Commuter | Hiace Van |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Power | Hiace/Commuter75 kW @ 3600 rpm | Hiace Van75 kW @ 3600 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | Hiace/Commuter260 Nm @ 1600-2400 rpm | Hiace Van260 Nm @ 1600-2400 rpm |
| Engine Size | Hiace/Commuter2494 cc | Hiace Van2494 cc |
| Combined Fuel Economy | Hiace/Commuter12.5 km/l | Hiace Van12.5 km/l |
| Ground Clearance | Hiace/Commuter195 mm | Hiace Van195 mm |
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Source type: Toyota Uganda/CFAO specifications; user-supplied estimates for remaining fields
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
Hiace/Commuter
Strengths
- Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
- No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:
Published Practicality
Hiace Van
Strengths
- Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
- Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:
General Use
Which One's Right for You?
Hiace/Commuter
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Hiace Van
- Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
| Spec | Hiace/Commuter | Hiace Van |
|---|---|---|
| Model Introduced Year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Generation | Current Uganda-market Hiace passenger-bus generation | Current Uganda-market Hiace panel-van generation |
| 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 | Van |
| Model Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Production Status | active | active |
| Segment | Passenger transport minibus | Panel van |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger minibus | Light commercial van |
| Spec | Hiace/Commuter | Hiace Van |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4700 mm | 4695 mm |
| Width | 1780 mm | 1695 mm |
| Height | 1980 mm | 1980 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2570 mm | 2570 mm |
| Ground Clearance (Default) | 195 mm | 195 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 | 1790 kg |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | 3050 kg | 2800 kg |
| Payload Capacity | 1110 kg | 1010 kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750 kg | 750 kg |
| Seating Capacity | 15 seats | 3 seats |
| Number of Rows | Not Officially Disclosed | 1 rows |
| Doors | 4 doors | 4 doors |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 5 m | 5 m |
| Front Headroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Rear Headroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Applicable |
| Front Legroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Rear Legroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Applicable |
In depth: how these cars differ
This Hiace/Commuter and Hiace Van 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 Van 43.
Efficiency index: Hiace/Commuter 54 vs Hiace Van 54.
Safety-equipment index: Hiace/Commuter 44 vs Hiace Van 44.
Practicality index: Hiace/Commuter 81 vs Hiace Van 68.
Ownership-cover index: Hiace/Commuter not separately scored vs Hiace Van 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 Van 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 Van
View 8 more Hiace Van 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 3 points
Hiace/Commuter and Hiace Van are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Evidence leader
55
/100
Lead
3
points
Data
74%
source coverage
55
#1
Evidence leader
Hiace/Commuter
Performance
43
Efficiency
54
Safety
44
Practicality
81
Leads by 3 points
52
#2
Hiace Van
Performance
43
Efficiency
54
Safety
44
Practicality
68
Performance 24%
Safety 22%
Practicality 22%
Efficiency 17%
Ownership 15%
Category leaders
What moves the verdict
Performance
Level
Efficiency
Level
Safety
Level
Practicality
Hiace/Commuter +13
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 Van
Performance
43/100
Efficiency
54/100
Safety
44/100
Practicality
68/100
What the evidence means
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Hiace/Commuter leads. However, Hiace Van 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 Van 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.