If you want to buy a commercial vehicle, the Nissan Caravan van and the Toyota Hiace van are two of the most popular options. While they are quite impressive in their own right, you always want to pick the one that fits your requirements the most. That makes us wonder, which one is the better solution for your needs? Let’s compare both the Caravan and Hiace, and then see which one is the right option for your specific needs.

What should you know about the Hiace?

The Hiace has a body size of 4695 x 1695 x 1980 mm, a 2570 mm wheelbase, and a weight of 1970 kg., The displacement is 1988c, just like the Caravan, and it comes with a riding capacity of around 3-6 people, depending on your needs.

One of the standout things when it comes to the Hiace is surely its safety. Toyota made sure that the car is very sturdy, and while it can sometimes break down, this rarely does such a thing. And that’s mostly because everything is built to last. They also added a Toyota Safety Sense system, which is a collision avoidance solution. The idea here is that you have lane departure alerts, pre-crash safety features, and many implementations designed to always keep you safe on the road, no matter the situation.

Another advantage of the Hiace is the fact that these cars retain their value. We all have fun with our cars, use them, and eventually, we focus on getting something new. The Hiace is one of the fewer vans out there that has a stellar resale value. That makes it ideal for a business, especially if you don’t want to lose money in the long run.

Things to know about the Caravan

The Caravan body size is 4695x1695x1990, so it’s almost identical to the Hiace. The wheelbase is slightly smaller at 2555mm, and it is a lighter vehicle at 1940 kg, albeit not by much. With that being said, the Caravan is built around the idea of commercial use; it’s not coming with an impressive design. Instead, it’s made to last for a long time, and you can totally see that.

Like the Hiace, the Caravan also has a lot of safety features. Their intelligent around monitor shows all directions via the rear-view mirror display. That makes unloading stuff or parking a lot easier. They also added an emergency braking system that identifies vehicles, automates braking, and it also gives you a warning in no time. So yes, the Caravan is known to prevent accidents, and it does that with great success.

The cargo space is quite impressive, since you can easily add lots of stuff in there. And they do bring split reclining seats, so you can switch between seats and have more cargo space, which is always nice. Another good thing about the Caravan is the luggage utility nut, which helps you add a belt to luggage, enjoy extra space, and so on.

Which is the better option?

It’s safe to say that both the Hiace and the Caravan have their pros and cons. But there are certain features where each of them shines:

·      If you need to park often, which commercial drivers do, the Caravan is safer because it comes with a collision system and intelligent braking. The Hiace has an automatic high beam that helps with avoiding collisions, but it requires your input. The Caravan will stop automatically, which is a major plus.

·      The Hiace is great because it’s spacious. The Caravan is a tad better because the space is wider, and you get a lower floor.

·      When it comes to the lineup, Caravan has more options, which means it’s easier to pick the right one. Despite having just 3 options, like the van, wagon, and commuter, the Hiace is still a good solution.

·      Maintenance is very similar; these vehicles don’t require a lot of it since they are built to last. But regular car maintenance is required from time to time.

Overall, we think both cars have a lot to offer. They bring intrinsic value, and their quality is second to none. That being said, it always comes down to the number of miles on the car, its maintenance and repairs over the years, and its price. Both the Hiace and Caravan are great options, but depending on your parking/driving/storage requirements, you might choose one over the other!