Toyota Hiace Commuter and Toyota Hiace Grandia: GT express or UV express franchise / Transport business / Vans for rent / Company Van.

Toyota commuter is the entry level version and the Toyota Grandia is the top of the line of the Toyota hiace van line. Toyota Hiace is a product of Toyota Motors that offer customers who wants van as their vehicle. The last time I rode a Toyota Hiace Commuter is the previous generation of this van. With strong engine and aircon I was satisfied with the amenities on it.

Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter

Toyota in GT Express or UV Express




Toyota Motors release their new version of Toyota Hiace commuter van. The last time I rode this van and used as a transport business is when I went to Pampanga. When I saw this Toyota van at the terminal I did not think twice and rode at the front of the driver. The strong turbo engine of 2KD-FTV was the transplant of the toyota van. This toyota van is differ from the other van that Toyota release is because the toyota commuter can accomodate 15 person compare to Toyota Hiace Grandia that can only accomodate 11 persons. The another advantage of the toyota hiace commuter is they offered a white color which is required by the ltfrb to avail the gt express franchise. Strong engine and strong aircon which is provided by Nippon Denson is an one~two punch advantage for the business owner or van operator.

Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia

The best thing about this Toyota Hiace Grandia for transport business is used for Vans for rent/van rental and company van. With the luxuriant amenities that can offer to the passenger its no wonder that this van is one of the choice of companies and transport business owners here in the Philippines.



Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia used as a company van by SPi Global a BPO company in the Philippines



Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia used as a company van by Results Manila a BPO company in the Philippines

Its very rare in the Philippines to see a jumbo version of the Toyota Hiace Grandia. As far as I know when I was working in Toyota before one of my trainors told me that Shangri-La Makati has this jumbo version of this Hiace Grandia; because our branch is the one who maintain this vehicle.

Both vans has its advantages but it will be the choice of the buyer what van he will buy; either the Toyota Hiace Commuter or the Toyota Hiace Grandia

JAC Refine: China's Hyundai Starex van

This would be the chinese version of the famous hyundai starex made by hyundai motors korea the JAC Refine. JAC motors is the one manufactures this van which is also a chinese company. I saw this in a car show which I'm suprised that the van itself looks like a  hyundai starex grx with a touch of a modification on its headlight (hyundai starex modification: angel eyes) and the emblem/logo of JAC instead of an emblem/logo of Hyundai. 

As I checked also the back of this van, it's very obvious that the back is similar to the hyundai starex vans. 

Jac Refine's engine.

At that moment I was so interested to look at the engine of this chinese version of hyundai starex grx. So opened the hood and I saw a Mitsubishi 4D56 Turbo as the engine which is similar to the engine of hyundai starex and hyundai starex grx, the version of the engine of this JAC refine has also a gasoline version with a powerplant of 4GA1 engine also from mitsubishi motors (I'd rather go with the diesel version of this van due to the oil price hike). How I wish that the hood of this has a scoop for its intercooler. 

JAC Refine's interior

As you go inside of the JAC refine you will notice that the dashboard is similar to hyundai starex (1st and 2nd generation of Hyundai Starex) but less the wood touch on it.

At the back I already notice that the seat configuration is also similar to the 1st and 2nd generation and grx version of hyundai starex this would be the 9 seater version though. I'm hoping that there is a jumbo version of this JAC refine as to the hyundai starex jumbo version.

Overall this van has a potential to generate income to the entrepreneur by going this vehicle as a van for rent, van rental, company van, and delivery van expecially in logistics.