Toyota Hiace GD vs Toyota RAV4 HEV
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
Decision summary
Toyota Hiace GD vs Toyota RAV4 HEV: the short answer
RAV4 HEV has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Hiace GD remains close.
Hiace GD starts UGX 20,000,000 cheaper
Hiace GD from UGX 225,000,000 · RAV4 HEV from UGX 245,000,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives| Specification | Hiace GD | RAV4 HEV |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Power | Hiace GDNot Officially Disclosed | RAV4 HEVNot Officially Disclosed |
| Maximum Torque | Hiace GDNot Officially Disclosed | RAV4 HEVNot Officially Disclosed |
| Engine Size | Hiace GD2755 cc | RAV4 HEV2487 cc |
| Combined Fuel Economy | Hiace GD12.5 km/l | RAV4 HEV12.5 km/l |
| Ground Clearance | Hiace GD185 mm | RAV4 HEV190 mm |
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Hiace GD
Strengths
- Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
- Less powerful engine setup
- Lower fuel efficiency
- Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:
Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader
RAV4 HEV
Strengths
- More powerful engine output
- Better fuel efficiency
- Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
- Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:
Published Performance
Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Hiace GD
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
RAV4 HEV
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
- Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
- Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
| Spec | Hiace GD | RAV4 HEV |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Uganda RAV4 Hybrid Electric listing. Match the supplied model year, drivetrain and grade before applying generation-specific equipment or performance figures. |
| 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 | Passenger van | SUV |
| Model Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Production Status | active | active |
| Segment | Light commercial passenger vehicle | Family SUV |
| Vehicle Type | Minibus | Passenger SUV |
| Spec | Hiace GD | RAV4 HEV |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5915 mm | 4600 mm |
| Width | 1950 mm | 1855 mm |
| Height | 2280 mm | 1685 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3860 mm | 2690 mm |
| Ground Clearance (Default) | 185 mm | 190 mm |
| Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) | 170 mm | 175 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 70 l | 55 l |
| Boot/Cargo Space | 1000 l | 580 l |
| Kerb Weight | 2350 kg | 1755 kg |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | 3500 kg | 2230 kg |
| Payload Capacity | 1150 kg | 475 kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750 kg | 750 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 | 5.5 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 GD and RAV4 HEV 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 RAV4 HEV 55.
Efficiency index: Hiace GD 54 vs RAV4 HEV 57.
Safety-equipment index: Hiace GD 44 vs RAV4 HEV 95.
Practicality index: Hiace GD 81 vs RAV4 HEV 64.
Ownership-cover index: Hiace GD not separately scored vs RAV4 HEV 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 RAV4 HEV 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
Toyota RAV4 HEV
View 8 more RAV4 HEV 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
RAV4 HEV leads by 13 points
RAV4 HEV has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Hiace GD remains close.
Evidence leader
68
/100
Lead
13
points
Data
57%
source coverage
68
#1
Evidence leader
RAV4 HEV
Performance
55
Efficiency
57
Safety
95
Practicality
64
Leads by 13 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
RAV4 HEV +12
Efficiency
RAV4 HEV +3
Safety
RAV4 HEV +51
Practicality
Hiace GD +17
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
RAV4 HEV
Performance
55/100
Efficiency
57/100
Safety
95/100
Practicality
64/100
Hiace GD
Performance
43/100
Efficiency
54/100
Safety
44/100
Practicality
81/100
What the evidence means
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, RAV4 HEV 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 GD vs RAV4 HEV 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.