How Long Do Toyota Hiaces Last? (9 Important Facts)

The Toyota Hiace is a renowned vehicle that has been in production since 1967.

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Toyota has produced it in different variants, including pickup trucks, vans and/or mini buses.

Unfortunately, the company does not offer the vehicle in the U.S. market because of emissions issues and outrageous import tariffs.

This article discusses the longevity of the Toyota Hiace.

Here’s the short answer to how long Toyota Hiace lasts:

The Toyota Hiace is a solidly built and can last 300,000 miles or more with no major issues. It can last for 20 years if you average 15,000 miles per year. However, this high mileage requires regular maintenance and proper use.

How Many Miles Can You Expect From a Toyota Hiace?

Designed as a workhorse, the Hiace can ferry goods and people and still function optimally. The Hiace is one of those vehicles that may never die. As long as you properly maintain the truck or van, it can go well over 300,000 miles.

In Africa and Southeast Asia, the Hiace van is a common feature of almost all public and private transport companies who rely on its sturdy engine and tolerance for abuse to get maximum use from the vehicle. It is unfortunate the vehicle is not available in the U.S. Otherwise, it would have been a powerful competitor in the American van market.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust On A Toyota Hiace?

Rust shouldn’t appear on a new or fairly used Hiace. New Hiaces however, may be vulnerable to rust if they’re frequently driven in snowy or dusty areas.

Oxidation, which is possible in the presence of water, causes rust. Dust that accumulates over time can also trap moisture and lead to corrosion.

To prevent this from happening, clean the vehicle regularly and kept moisture free. The pickup variant may trap dust and water in its cargo bed. You should also clean or drain it off frequently.

Rust is prone to appear underneath the windshield or other areas that retain water after being exposed to rain or snow.

The cargo bed is likely going to rust faster than other parts. Covering the cargo bed is a good start, while parking the truck indoors can help in keeping corrosion at bay.

How Long Do Toyota Hiaces Last Compared to Similar Vehicles?

Here is how the Toyota Hiace lasts compared to similar vehicles:

Toyota Hiace vs. Ford Cargo Vans

Ford cargo vans can last up to 250,000 to 300,000 miles. The Hiace has a long lifespan when compared with Ford cargo vans. Although the margin isn’t a clear one, it seems to last longer than the average Ford van.

Toyota Hiace vs. Mercedes Sprinter

Motor Biscuit says the Mercedes Sprinter “will easily see a lifespan of over 300,000 miles”. This is provided that it is properly maintained.

The Hiace also seems to be equal to the Sprinter in terms of service life. Regardless, we emphasize maintenance if both cars are to last up to 300,000 miles.

Toyota Hiace vs. GMC Savana

The GMC Savana has a life expectancy that ranges from 250,000 miles to 300,000 miles. This could mean over 18 years of reliable usage. The Savana also sports a powerful yet fuel efficient engine.

Other than that, both the Savana and the Hiace have the potential to get to 300,000 miles or more.

How Reliable Is a Toyota Hiace?

Hiaces are very reliable. Most Hiaces on the road today do not need major repairs often. As long as you adhere to routine maintenance, there is little to be concerned about.

If you meet all the above conditions, your Hiace may just be your lifetime companion. Its exceptional reliability is why the vehicle is a favorite of transport companies in Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The Best and Worst Years for Toyota Hiace

According to Edmund, the 2019 and 2020 models have really high ratings. They both score as high as 8.2/10 in overall performance. The 2013 model is also highly rated, with a 4.8/5 rating.

However, we wouldn’t call the 2013 model the best. This is partly because fewer sources confirmed its rating than the 2019 and 2020 models.

During our research, we could not find sufficient information to justify any Toyota Hiace models as the worst. It seems the vehicle is an all-around reliable machine.

What About Recalls for These Models?

Certain 2014 to 2019 models of the Hiace were recalled. This was because of faulty programming of the engine. Another reason was fuel leaks from the inlet pipe, which increased the probability of accidents.

The faulty programming could cause oil pressure to become exceedingly high.

Over 800 Hiaces were recalled.

A similar scenario occurred with some Hiaces from the 2009 to 2012 model years. The major problems were related to the transmission and up to 12,000 vehicles were recalled.

Toyota also had to recall thousands of diesel engine Hiaces sold between 2006 and 2011. The reason for the recall was to check for exhaust gas leak and seeping diesel fuel.

You may also like to read our article about 3 Most Common Problems With The Toyota Hiace

Toyota Hiace Model Year List

The Toyota Hiace has spanned 6 generations. We present the classification by model years in the table below:

Generation	Model Years	Variants
First	1967-1976	Van and pickup truck
Second	1977-1981	Van and pickup truck
Third	1982-1988	Van and pickup truck
Fourth	1989-2003	Van
Fifth	2004-2018	Minibus/Van
Sixth	2019–Present	Minibus/Van

Are Toyota Hiaces Expensive to Maintain?

While we couldn’t find specific maintenance costs for the Hiace, we expect it to be very cheap to maintain because of its diesel engine. The vehicle’s low operating and maintenance costs are likely a major contributor to its popularity among transport companies.

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

Depending on your braking behavior, your brakes can last anywhere from 30,000 miles to 75,000 miles.

Toyota Hiace brake pads are pretty durable. However, most Hiaces are used for either transport or delivery. This type of work requires multiple stops (braking) while driving.

This is the major reason your Hiace brake pads may not last long as it should. However, Hiaces that are used for long distance commutes or cross-country rides will have longer lasting brake pads. The obvious reason being that they’ll stop less often.

How Long Do the Tires Last?

The tires can provide optimal usage for as long as 60,000 miles or five years. If the tires get to 70,000 miles, get them replaced.

You should replace tires that have lasted six years, irrespective of the number of miles they’ve lasted.

All the above information is accurate in ideal situations. Ideal situations include proper tire pressure at all times, fair braking habits and so on.

How Long Do the Transmissions Last?

The transmission can last up to 200,000 miles and beyond, all factors considered.

This component, like the engine, affects the overall state of the vehicle. The lifespan of the transmission may equate the lifespan of the car. However, because no one drives under perfectly ideal conditions, its lifespan is reduced.

What About Insurance Cost?

The Hiace costs about $1,500 per year to insure. This makes its insurance costs lower than the average van.

Commercial vehicles attract higher premiums than personal ones. If your Hiace is used for commercial purpose, the insurance cost will be higher.

The Hiace is also a large van. This means that the probability of carrying more people or valuable property is higher. This can also be a factor that increases the premium.

You can, however, ask for discounts if you have a great driving record. Paying in full instead of in installments may help you earn yourself extra discounts.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Toyota Hiace

Here are tips to help you prolong the life of your Hiace:

Your engine is the single most important component of your Hiace. That’s why the state of your engine has the most effect on the state of your car.
First, you want to be punctual with the engine oil change. You can do this every 6,000 miles. If your Hiace is used for very demanding tasks, you have to be more frequent with the oil change.
For diesel engines, 1KD-FTV engines would need oil replacement every 6,000 miles. If you use a 2KD-FTV engine, you can replace it more frequently at 1,600 miles.
2KD-FTV engines require more frequent maintenance when compared to other engines. You should replace their engine oil filters every 6,000 miles.
You should inspect your valve clearance every 24,000 miles. Also, inspect the drive belts for the engine every 12,000 miles. A 5L-E diesel engine might require drive belt replacement at 24,000 miles.
Once your odometer reading gets to 50,000 miles, begin inspecting the cooling and heater system every 12,000 miles.

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