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Toyota HiAce Seating Configurations: Which One Is Right for Your Business?
If you're running a small or medium-sized business in Perth and it's time to add a van to your fleet, you've probably already landed on the Toyota HiAce. And for good reason. It's been Australia's best-selling commercial van for decades, and it's earned that reputation through sheer reliability, versatility, and long-term cost-effectiveness.
But here's where a lot of business owners get stuck: the HiAce isn't one van. It's a range. And choosing the wrong seating configuration can mean compromising on cargo space, passenger capacity, or both. Getting it right from the start saves you money, maximises productivity, and means your team actually enjoys getting in the vehicle each day.
We help Perth businesses make this decision all the time at New Town Toyota. Here's everything you need to know to choose the right HiAce configuration for your operation
Understanding the Toyota HiAce Range
Toyota offers the HiAce in four core body configurations for the Australian market, each designed with a different kind of business in mind:
HiAce Van (LWB)
HiAce Van (SLWB)
HiAce Crew Van
HiAce Commuter
All variants are powered by Toyota's 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine paired with an automatic transmission. That's an important baseline, because it means no matter which configuration you choose, you're getting the same proven drivetrain, the same reliability record, and the same low running costs.
The decision really comes down to one question: what does your business actually need the vehicle to do?
HiAce Van: When Cargo Is King
2 Seats
The HiAce Van is the most stripped-back, cargo-focused configuration in the range. It seats two to three people in the front cab and dedicates the entire rear to load space.
The Long Wheelbase (LWB) van gives you substantial cargo volume and a generous payload rating, making it ideal for businesses that regularly move equipment, stock, tools, or materials around Perth. The sliding side door and wide rear doors make loading and unloading simple, even in tight CBD car parks or suburban driveways.
Step up to the Super Long Wheelbase (SLWB) and you get even more load length in the cargo area. For businesses dealing with longer items, whether that's building materials, AV equipment, catering supplies, or trade materials, this extra length can genuinely change the way you operate.
Best suited for
Couriers and delivery businesses, tradies who use the HiAce primarily as a workshop-on-wheels, retailers doing regular stock runs, and any business where maximum cargo space matters more than passenger seats.
Worth knowing
The van variants offer excellent fitout potential. Many businesses add shelving, partitioning, and racking systems to create purpose-built mobile workspaces, and Toyota Genuine Accessories includes a solid range of options to get you started.
HiAce Crew Van: The Best of Both Worlds
5 Seats
The Crew Van is where the HiAce range really gets interesting for small businesses. It combines a genuine rear cargo area with a second row of seating, typically accommodating up to five or six occupants in total.
Think of it as a hybrid between a van and a people mover. You can transport a small crew to a job site and still carry meaningful amounts of equipment in the rear. The rear seats in most crew van setups can also fold or be removed to expand cargo capacity when passenger space isn't needed.
For a lot of Perth SMEs, this versatility makes the Crew Van the smartest buy in the range. You're not paying for a dedicated passenger vehicle when you need cargo capacity half the time, and you're not cramming your team into a van that only seats two when you need to get everyone on site.
Best suited for:
Construction companies and subcontractors transporting small crews plus tools, cleaning and maintenance businesses, landscapers, event services teams, and any business where staff and equipment regularly travel together.
Worth knowing:
Crew Van buyers often underestimate just how useful the flexibility is until they've owned one. If your week involves a mix of cargo runs and crew transport, this is likely your answer.
HiAce Commuter: Built for Passenger Transport
12 Seats
When your priority shifts firmly towards moving people, the HiAce Commuter steps up to the task. Seating up to 12 passengers (plus driver), it's a proper people mover built on the same dependable HiAce platform that's earned the trust of Australian businesses for generations.
The interior is designed with passenger comfort in mind. Seats are accessible via a wide sliding door, the ride quality is well-suited to regular passenger use, and the configuration makes boarding and alighting efficient, which matters when you're making multiple stops or picking up clients.
The Commuter GL takes this further with upgraded passenger amenities, making it appropriate for higher-end transport services, corporate shuttle operations, or businesses that want their clients to arrive in comfort.
Best suited for:
Airport and hotel shuttles, school and community transport, tour and charter operators, aged care services, corporate fleet passenger vehicles, and any business that regularly moves larger groups.
Worth knowing:
If your business is scaling and you're considering multiple vehicles, the Commuter's versatility across industries makes it easy to redeploy as your needs evolve.
Side-by-Side: Which HiAce Configuration Fits Your Business?
Here's a practical way to think through your decision:
Choose the HiAce Van (LWB or SLWB) if:
Your vehicle's primary role is carrying goods, tools, or equipment. Seating for two or three is enough, and you want maximum cargo space and fitout flexibility.
Choose the HiAce Crew Van if:
You regularly need to transport both people and equipment in the same trip. You want flexibility to configure the vehicle based on daily needs, and you don't want to compromise on either front.
Choose the HiAce Commuter or Commuter GL if:
Your primary purpose is moving people. You need 8 to 12 seats, passenger comfort matters, and cargo space is a secondary consideration.
What About Running Costs and Fleet Management?
One thing that makes the HiAce an easy recommendation for Perth SMEs is total cost of ownership. Toyota's 2.8-litre diesel is well-proven, fuel-efficient for a commercial vehicle of this size, and servicing is straightforward through an authorised Toyota dealership.
If you're purchasing for a fleet, Toyota's fleet and business support through New Town Toyota includes streamlined quoting, consistent account management, and access to Toyota Fleet finance options. For SMEs trying to manage cash flow while building out a vehicle fleet, that support makes a real difference.
New Town Toyota has been working with Perth businesses for over 40 years. Fleet and commercial buyers get direct access to our business specialists, not a call centre, and not a rotating roster of salespeople. We take the time to understand how your business operates before we recommend anything.
Ready to Talk HiAce?
The right HiAce configuration will save you money, reduce frustration, and serve your business well for years to come. The wrong one becomes a daily compromise.
Our team at New Town Toyota in East Victoria Park is here to walk you through the full range, talk through your specific requirements, and help you make a confident decision. We can also arrange a test drive in the configuration you're considering, because understanding the dimensions and layout in person is genuinely helpful before you commit.
Get in touch with our fleet and business team today, or visit us at our East Victoria Park dealership. We're with you for the road ahead.
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