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Toyota
HiAce
H300·
2019-2026
van
Value
Price (AUD)
$35k-$75k
Body styles
LWB van, SLWB van, LWB crew van, SLWB Commuter bus (12-14 seat)
Drivetrain
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD)
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan
Overview
The sixth-generation HiAce launched in Australia on 28 May 2019 and was a complete reinvention: it moved from a cab-over (engine-under-seats) layout to a conventional semi-bonneted front-engine design, dramatically improving crash safety, NVH and serviceability. Sold as LWB Van, LWB Crew Van, SLWB Van, SLWB Commuter and SLWB Commuter GL bus. Two engines were offered locally - the dominant 2.8L 1GD-FTV turbo-diesel (the bulk of sales, available across the range) and a 3.5L 7GR-FKS V6 petrol (LWB/SLWB vans only, quietly dropped around 2022). Both are rear-wheel drive with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. The defining caveat is the diesel's DPF: the 1GD-FTV is the same engine family caught up in Toyota Australia's long-running diesel particulate filter class action (Federal/High Court findings 2023-2024), where early DPF software could let the filter clog and emit white smoke. Toyota issued field fixes and customer-care campaigns. Otherwise the H300 is a genuinely tough, high-mileage workhorse that routinely passes 400,000km with disciplined servicing.
Engines & variants
2.8L 1GD-FTV turbo-diesel
Engine
2.8L common-rail turbo-diesel I4 with DPF
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
2755cc
Power
130kW @ 3400rpm (6MT) / 120kW @ 3400rpm (6AT Commuter)
Torque
420Nm @ 1400-2600rpm (auto) / 420Nm @ 1600-2400rpm (manual)
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
Economy
7.5-9 L/100km combined (claimed 7.5)
Tow (braked)
1900kg (manual) / 1500kg (auto)
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT, 6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Strong low-down torque ideal for loaded urban/freight work
- Genuinely frugal for a 3-tonne van (~8 L/100km real world)
- Proven, widely-supported Toyota diesel - 400k km+ common
- Chain timing (no belt to replace)
- Far safer, quieter semi-bonneted layout vs old H200
Cons
- Subject to the Toyota DPF class action (early software clogging/white smoke)
- EGR and intake carbon build-up over time, especially on short urban runs
- Manual regen needed if the van does mostly stop-start work
- Modest 1500kg auto towing limit
- MAF dust contamination can trigger limp mode in dusty work
Known problems
high
DPF clogging / white smoke (class action defect)
The 1GD-FTV DPF system in vehicles acquired 7 Feb 2016 - 19 Dec 2024 was found defective by the Federal Court (upheld by the High Court Nov 2024): early software could let the DPF clog, producing excessive white smoke, poor performance and forced regens. Toyota fitted manual regen switches and issued ECU/field fixes; affected owners may be eligible under the class action.
Fix: Confirm the DPF software/field-fix campaign has been applied; do regular highway runs and manual regens; check class-action eligibility. Out-of-warranty DPF replacement is costly.
medium
EGR and intake carbon build-up
Like all modern common-rail diesels, the 1GD accumulates soot in the EGR valve and intake, causing rough running, reduced economy and limp-mode events - worse on short stop-start delivery cycles.
Fix: EGR and intake clean; consider a catch-can; mix in regular highway running to keep temps up.
medium
MAF sensor dust contamination - limp mode
Fine dust can coat the mass-airflow sensor, feeding bad data to the ECU and dropping the van into limp mode - same trait as other 1GD-FTV applications.
Fix: Clean or replace the MAF; fit a quality air filter and ensure airbox sealing.
low
Timing chain / front-end noise at high km
Owners have reported timing-chain/front-cover noise on high-km examples (e.g. 180k km), usually a tensioner/guide wear issue rather than a snapped chain.
Fix: Diagnose noise early; replace chain, tensioner and guides if rattling under load.
3.5L 7GR-FKS V6 petrol
Engine
3.5L DOHC V6 with D-4S dual injection and Dual VVT-i
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3456cc
Power
207kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
351Nm @ 4600rpm
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
Economy
12-12.4 L/100km claimed (15+ real world loaded)
Tow (braked)
1500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT, 6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Smooth, strong, free-revving V6 - effortless when loaded
- No DPF, no diesel emissions complexity or class-action exposure
- Quieter and more refined than the diesel
- Proven GR-series chain-driven engine with long life
- Cheaper to buy used than equivalent diesel
Cons
- Thirsty - 12L+/100km official, much worse loaded or towing
- Dropped from the Australian range around 2022 (smaller used pool)
- Torque peaks high (4600rpm) - less tractable than the diesel at low revs
- D-4S direct injection can carbon up intake valves over time
- Weaker resale than the diesel
Known problems
medium
Intake-valve carbon build-up (D-4S)
The 7GR/2GR-FKS D-4S direct-injection family can accumulate carbon on the intake valves because port injection doesn't fully wash them, causing rough idle, misfires and lost economy at higher km.
Fix: Walnut-blast/manual intake-valve clean; quality fuel and oil; intake cleaner as maintenance.
low
Fuel thirst
Not a fault - 12L+/100km claimed and noticeably higher when loaded or towing makes it expensive for high-km commercial use.
Fix: Accept the running cost, or choose the diesel for high-km duty cycles.
low
Water pump / accessory wear at higher km
Across the GR-series V6 family the water pump and ancillary components wear predictably with age and mileage.
Fix: Replace water pump and coolant as preventive maintenance; refresh belts/tensioner.
Common problems (all variants)
medium
Heavy front-end / brake wear (loaded commercial use)
A constantly-loaded 3-tonne RWD van wears front brakes, suspension bushes and ball joints faster than a passenger vehicle, especially on stop-start delivery work.
Fix: Quality pads/rotors and regular front-end inspection; budget for consumables in fleet use.
medium
ABS / airbag warning faults
Owners have reported ABS and airbag (SRS) malfunction warnings appearing at higher km, sometimes from wheel-speed sensors or wiring/connectors.
Fix: Scan for codes; replace the offending sensor/connector. Don't ignore SRS lights.
low
Interior and load-area wear (commercial duty)
Ex-fleet vans cop hard use - worn seats, scuffed/dented load areas, tired floors and racking holes are common and affect value more than mechanicals.
Fix: Inspect load area and seating; favour well-kept or low-fleet-km examples; rubber floor liners help.
low
Cabin heat / dash UV exposure
The large windscreen and forward cabin sit in sustained Australian sun; dash top and trim can fade or crack on older examples.
Fix: Dash mat/cover; not structural.