Renault Trafic vs Toyota HiAce
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Vans 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.
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Price Breakdown
The Renault Trafic starts from $52,990 before on-road costs, while the Toyota HiAce opens at $51,880. That makes the Toyota HiAce the more affordable entry point by $1,110.
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 $58,289 and $57,068 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Renault Trafic by roughly $1,710 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Renault Trafic features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 3.5-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.
Drivetrain
The Renault Trafic uses a 2.0L Diesel producing 125kW and 380Nm of torque, sent through a 9-speed automatic to a FWD layout.
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 Toyota HiAce has the clear power advantage at 130kW vs 125kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Renault Trafic measures 5,080mm long on a 3,098mm wheelbase, 185mm shorter than the Toyota HiAce at 5,265mm (3,210mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota HiAce generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Renault Trafic 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.
13.2m diameter
Large
Based on 13.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 11.7 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,767/year for the Renault Trafic and $2,109/year for the Toyota HiAce. That is a $342 annual difference in favour of the Renault Trafic.
Warranty: 5 years (Renault Trafic) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota HiAce). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Renault Trafic if: You want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Renault's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota HiAce if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Renault Trafic and Toyota HiAce trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Renault Trafic will save you roughly $342 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Renault Trafic and Toyota HiAce?
The Toyota HiAce is the cheapest at $51,880 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Renault Trafic by $1,110.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Renault Trafic uses the least fuel at 6.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Toyota HiAce holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Renault Trafic, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The Renault Trafic has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota HiAce makes the most power at 130kW.
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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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