Toyota Hiace vs Volkswagen Multivan Kombi Comparison: Spec Sheet Battle

The Toyota Hiace is a popular van here in the Philippines. It's so popular in fact that the currently available sixth generation’s global debut took place here in the Philippines back in 2019. It is a common sight on our local roads, and is the choice for ferrying people in one go. 

As an answer to the Hiace’s top-spec Super Grandia Elite variant, Volkswagen Philippines has brought in the Multivan Kombi. It is in turn, the top-spec model within the T6 lineup. So how does this new Volkswagen van fare against the Hiace Super Grandia spec-wise? Let’s find out.

Which van is better on paper? 

When it comes to dimensions, the Hiace Super Grandia has a length of 5,300mm, a width of 1,970mm, and a height of 1,990mm. It also has a wheelbase length of 3,210mm, and a ground clearance of 175 mm. 

The Toyota Hiace Super Grandia Elite

In comparison, the VW Multivan Kombi is 4,905mm long, 1904mm wide, and 1,950mm in height. Its wheelbase is 3,000mm long, and it has a ground clearance of 193mm. 

The Volkswagen Multivan Kombi

To sum it up, the Hiace is larger than the Multivan Kombi. This of course is reflected in the differences in the interior space. More on that later. In contrast however, the VW van has more in the way of ground clearance. The Multivan Kombi after all, is primarily a commercial vehicle in other markets, whereas the Hiace is first and foremost a people carrier. 

Compare the side profiles of the Hiace Super Grandia Elite (left) with the Multivan Kombi (right) using the slider

As for exterior equipment, both the Toyota and Volkswagen van come standard with LED headlamps, LED taillights, and LED daytime running lamps. Both the Hiace Super Grandia Elite and the Multivan Kombi also rides on a set of 17-inch alloy wheels.

Moreover, both the Multivan Kombi and the top-spec Hiace come with powered dual sliding doors, and powered rear doors.  
 

While the Hiace Super Grandia can fit up to 10 people, the Multivan Kombi can only seat up to seven. This is due to the fact that while both of their middle rows have captain seats, the Hiace Super Grandia Elite actually has a fourth-row bench seat which the VW model lacks. Then again, the VW model’s captain seats also have a swivel function allowing for a face-to-face setup with its third row.  

A view of the Hiace Super Grandia's rear cabin

For air-conditioning, both van models come standard with automatic climate control with rear vents. Moreover, both also have interior ambient lighting, a digital gauge cluster, cruise control, a push-to-start button, as well as a multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel. The steering-wheel on the Kombi however is a flat-bottomed steering wheel, while the one on the Hiace is a good ol’ round-shaped steering wheel. 

As for on-board entertainment systems, the Hiace Super Grandia Elite gets a 6.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Apple CarPlay.  

The Multivan Kombi's rear bench seat with the 2nd row captain seats swiveled to face them

In turn, the Multivan Kombi comes with a large 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. It also features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, as well as Volkswagen's AppConnect software. 
 

In terms of what’s under the hood, the Hiace Super Grandia Elite uses a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine. At most, this engine can produce up to 174 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to its rear wheels through a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission. 

Meanwhile, the Multivan Kombi uses a 2.0-liter turbodiesel, which can make up to 147 horsepower and 340 Nm of torque. In contrast to the Toyota, this VW van is a front-wheel-drive model that uses a seven-speed automatic Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG). 

Obviously, the Hiace makes more power than the Kombi. Also, we can be certain that the difference in drivetrains and transmissions will also result in very different driving characteristics. 

For suspension systems, both the Toyota and Volkswagen vans uses a MacPherson strut type from suspension. For the rear however, the Hiace comes with a multi-link type suspension. The Multivan Kombi meanwhile utilizes a semi-trailing rear independent suspension. Both also get disc brakes for all four wheels. For parking brakes though, the VW gets an electronic parking brake, where as the Toyota has a more traditional hand-operated manual parking brake.

For safety, both the Hiace Super Grandia Elite comes standard with with anti-lock braking, stability control, hill-start assist, parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat tethers, parking sensors, automatic headlamps, a rear camera, etc.

For on-board driver assist features both the Toyota model also gets driver alert systems. The Toyota Hiace Super Grandia Elite however doesn't have a differential lock, and the park assist system available on the Volkswagen-made van. In turn though, the Toyota's cruise control system is adapaptive while the VW's is a standard type cruise control. Furthermore, the top-spec Hiace also has a pre-collision system and a lane-departure alert. And lastly, the VW also has one less airbag at six, while the Toyota model has seven.
 

Currently, the Hiace has a price ranging from Php 1,649,000 to Php 2,998,000 with the Hiace Super Grandia Elite as the top-spec model. 

In turn, the Volkswagen Multivan Kombi Monocolor variants can be had for Php 3,595,000. The VW Multivan Kombi Bi-color variant mean while has a standard retail price of Php 3,640,000.

In summary, it looks like it's going to be an uphill battle for the Multivan Kombi. Sure, it has its own charms, but we are fairly sure that Filipinos prioritize seating capacity. In a sense, that’s the main reason as to why the Hiace and all of its variants are popular locally after all. 

The front cabin of the Hiace Super Grandia Elite features faux wood trim for that classy look

Moreover, it also has less in the way of engine power and torque. Then again, we can be certain that the VW van is lighter than the Hiace Super Grandia due to its more compact dimensions. As mentioned above though, the Kombi T6 is a front-wheel-drive vehicle. To that end, the Hiace might have better traction when fully loaded. So be sure of this though, let’s just wait until VW lends us a Multivan Kombi for testing. 

The elephant in the room however, is the Multivan Kombi’s price. That said, the VW Multivan Kombi might just be too expensive for most people looking for a people hauler.

The Multivan Kombi's cockpit in turn, features a clean, modern design

As to why that price is a bit stiff, it is because unlike most VW models in the Philippines, the Multivan Kombi is actually sourced from Germany, and built by Volkswagen AG itself. So yeah, one might surmise that it involves more shipping costs, import taxes, and whatnot.

For more comparison articles like this, keep reading here on Philkotse.com.