Toyota Hiace LXV: Features explained

If you are looking for a large van that can easily accommodate, let’s say, 10 people, you have very limited options. Toyota has years of experience in making such large vans and one such van that’s available in the Philippines is the Toyota Hiace LXV. It has been around for quite some time now and has satisfied many customers as well. Let’s check out some of its features that make it such a popular choice.

On the outside

The first thing you would notice about the Hiace LXV is its dimensions. Well, it, of course, has to be large since it is a van that’s meant to carry 10 people at once. It measures (5,380 x 1,880 x 2,285) mm which makes it quite a prominent vehicle on the road. In terms of looks and styling, this van should get decent marks. There is nothing extraordinary or mind-blowing here, just the basic stuff to get things going. And, perhaps, that’s what makes it sturdy and tough.

So, at the front, we have a pair of rectangular halogen headlamps with integrated turn signals. They aren’t super attractive but they do what they’re meant to do pretty well, i.e., illuminate what’s ahead in the dark. The front grille carries a wide horizontal slat that joins the two headlamps. Below the grille, we have a beefy front bumper with fog lamps on either side. The entire setup gives the Hiace LXV quite a sturdy look.

The side of the van gets 15-inch nice-looking alloy wheels. They appear to be a bit short considering the overall dimensions of the van. We also have sliding rear doors for easy ingress and egress. The large side window adds a bit of premium-ness. Moving to the rear end of the Hiace LXV, we see a pair of simple vertical tail lights. Nothing too exciting happening here. As a whole, the Hiace LXV looks decent and has a normal van-like silhouette.

On the inside

This is where the Hiace LXV excels. As we mentioned before, it can accommodate 10 people at once. Thanks to its long wheelbase, the cabin space is enormous and sufficient for each of the 10 passengers. Also, the seats are very well padded and provide a comfortable riding experience. There is a decent amount of space to reach even the rearmost seat with ease. Another feature that enhances the overall comfort of the passengers is the presence of various AC vents. It is a necessary feature because, without it, the passengers at the back would feel suffocated.

The seats can be folded as well as slid forward and backwards to make room for people to hop in or get out of the van. The 2nd and 3rd-row seats are captain seats that offer utmost comfort and totally different riding experience. The fit and finish of the interior are decent. The dashboard is pretty basic. However, it does carry the gear shift lever. The driver also sits in a comfortable position so that he can cover long distances without tiring out. Also, there are a lot of storage spaces available all around the cabin.

Under the hood

The Hiace LXV is a heavy vehicle and with everyone onboard it gets even heavier. To pull all that weight, Toyota has provided a 3.0-litre engine with DOHC setup. It produces 136 PS of maximum power at 3,400 rpm and a peak torque of 300 Nm from as low as 1,200 to 2,400 rpm. This really helps in getting off the line. All that low-end torque also helps in enhancing the fuel efficiency and performance of the van. For the transmission, there is a 4-speed automatic gearbox mounted on the dash.

Safety equipment

We see only a few safety features mentioned on the Toyota Hiace LXV specs sheet. These include dual-front SRS airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, reverse parking sensors, and keyless entry along with an immobiliser.

So, these were some of the key features of the Hiace LXV. It is a capable vehicle which fulfils the purpose it has been designed for. The Toyota Hiace LXV price is Php 2.67 million and the van is available in two color options - white and gold.

Also Read:- What is ‘Super’ about the 2020 Toyota Hiace Super Grandia, besides its Php 2.4m price tag?