Toyota Hiace GD vs Suzuki New Swift
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 GD
2.8 GD 15-Seater 6MT
Diesel
6-Speed Manual
Current
UGX 225,000,000
ex-showroom
⛽ 12.5 km/l
VS
Suzuki New Swift
SWIFT GL+ 5D 1197p CVT
Petrol
CVT
Current
UGX 68,000,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 77 kW
🔧 112 Nm
⛽ 21.0 km/l
Decision summary
Toyota Hiace GD vs Suzuki New Swift: the short answer
Hiace GD has a modest catalogue-index lead, while New Swift remains close.
New Swift starts UGX 157,000,000 cheaper
Hiace GD from UGX 225,000,000 · New Swift from UGX 68,000,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives| Specification | Hiace GD | New Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Power | Hiace GDNot Officially Disclosed | New Swift77 kW @ 6000 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | Hiace GDNot Officially Disclosed | New Swift111.7 Nm @ 4300 rpm |
| Engine Size | Hiace GD2755 cc | New Swift1197 cc |
| Combined Fuel Economy | Hiace GD12.5 km/l | New Swift21.0 km/l |
| Ground Clearance | Hiace GD185 mm | New Swift145 mm |
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Source type: Suzuki Uganda / CFAO Mobility
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
Hiace GD
Strengths
- More powerful engine output
- Stronger listed safety equipment
- Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
- Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:
Published Performance
Published Practicality
New Swift
Strengths
- Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
- Less powerful engine setup
- Fewer listed safety features
- Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:
Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Hiace GD
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
- Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
New Swift
- Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
| Spec | Hiace GD | New Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Model Introduced Year | 2023 | 2023 |
| 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. | Current Uganda-market generation |
| Facelift History | No local facelift confirmed | Current-generation specification |
| Facelift Launched Since | Original current-generation version | 2023 |
| Facelift Version Ending | Current | Current |
| Body Style | Passenger van | Hatchback |
| Model Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Production Status | active | active |
| Segment | Light commercial passenger vehicle | Passenger vehicle |
| Vehicle Type | Minibus | Passenger car |
| Spec | Hiace GD | New Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5915 mm | 3860 mm |
| Width | 1950 mm | 1735 mm |
| Height | 2280 mm | 1520 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3860 mm | 2450 mm |
| Ground Clearance (Default) | 185 mm | 145 mm |
| Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) | 170 mm | 150 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 70 l | 37 l |
| Boot/Cargo Space | 1000 l | 265 l |
| Kerb Weight | 2350 kg | 945 kg |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | 3500 kg | 1375 kg |
| Payload Capacity | 1150 kg | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Towing Capacity | 750 kg | 400 kg |
| Seating Capacity | 15 seats | 5 seats |
| Number of Rows | Not Officially Disclosed | 2 rows |
| Doors | Not Officially Disclosed | 5 doors |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 7.9 m | 5.0 m |
| Front Headroom | Not Officially Disclosed | 1000 mm |
| Rear Headroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Front Legroom | Not Officially Disclosed | 1020 mm |
| Rear Legroom | Not Officially Disclosed | 860 mm |
In depth: how these cars differ
This Hiace GD and New Swift 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 GD 43 vs New Swift 30.
Efficiency index: Hiace GD 54 vs New Swift 77.
Safety-equipment index: Hiace GD 44 vs New Swift 36.
Practicality index: Hiace GD 81 vs New Swift 46.
Ownership-cover index: Hiace GD not separately scored vs New Swift 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 GD and New Swift image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Toyota Hiace GD
View 8 more Hiace GD images
Suzuki New Swift
View 8 more New Swift 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 GD leads by 10 points
Hiace GD has a modest catalogue-index lead, while New Swift remains close.
Evidence leader
55
/100
Lead
10
points
Data
57%
source coverage
55
#1
Evidence leader
Hiace GD
Performance
43
Efficiency
54
Safety
44
Practicality
81
Leads by 10 points
45
#2
New Swift
Performance
30
Efficiency
77
Safety
36
Practicality
46
Performance 24%
Safety 22%
Practicality 22%
Efficiency 17%
Ownership 15%
Category leaders
What moves the verdict
Performance
Hiace GD +13
Efficiency
New Swift +23
Safety
Hiace GD +8
Practicality
Hiace GD +35
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Hiace GD
Performance
43/100
Efficiency
54/100
Safety
44/100
Practicality
81/100
New Swift
Performance
30/100
Efficiency
77/100
Safety
36/100
Practicality
46/100
What the evidence means
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Hiace GD leads. However, New Swift 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 GD vs New Swift 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.