Hyundai Staria vs Toyota HiAce
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Staria starts from $50,500 before on-road costs, while the Toyota HiAce opens at $51,880. That makes the Hyundai Staria the more affordable entry point by $1,380.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $55,550 and $57,068 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Toyota HiAce by roughly $4,420 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Hyundai Staria and Toyota HiAce hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 5 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Hyundai Staria and 8 in the Toyota HiAce.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Staria features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Toyota HiAce gets a 8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Staria stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Toyota HiAce. The Toyota HiAce counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Staria uses a Petrol producing 200kW and 331Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.5 seconds.
The Toyota HiAce responds with a Diesel making 130kW and 420Nm, paired to a manual driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The Hyundai Staria has the clear power advantage at 200kW vs 130kW. In the real-world sprint, the Toyota HiAce is 2.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Staria measures 5,253mm long on a 3,273mm wheelbase, 12mm shorter than the Toyota HiAce at 5,265mm (3,210mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Staria generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 703L in the Hyundai Staria and 6200L in the Toyota HiAce, giving the Toyota HiAce a 5497L advantage. The Hyundai Staria seats 8 vs 2.
For towing, the Hyundai Staria leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,900kg. That 600kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.6m to 13.2m
Based on 12.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 13.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,993/year for the Hyundai Staria and $2,109/year for the Toyota HiAce. That is a $884 annual difference in favour of the Toyota HiAce.
Estimated annual total: $2,993 (Hyundai Staria) vs $2,109 (Toyota HiAce). The Toyota HiAce saves you roughly $884 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Staria) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota HiAce). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Staria if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota HiAce if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Hyundai Staria and Toyota HiAce trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Toyota HiAce will save you roughly $884 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Toyota HiAce has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Staria and Toyota HiAce?
The Hyundai Staria is the cheapest at $50,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota HiAce by $1,380.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota HiAce uses the least fuel at 7.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Hyundai Staria and Toyota HiAce all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Toyota HiAce has the largest boot at 6200L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Staria has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai Staria makes the most power at 200kW. The Toyota HiAce is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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