The Two Kings of Australian Van Conversions
Ask any experienced Australian van builder which van to buy and you will get one of two answers: HiAce or Transit. Both have passionate advocates. Both have real weaknesses. This comparison is based on talking to dozens of van lifers who have owned one or both.
Toyota HiAce: The Reliable Workhorse
Strengths
- Reliability: The HiAce has one of the best reliability records of any van ever sold. The 2.5L and 3.0L diesel engines from 2005-2019 are genuinely bulletproof with basic maintenance. Meeting a HiAce that has done 400,000km with only a cambelt replacement is not unusual.
- Parts availability: Toyota dealer network is extensive across Australia. Even in remote towns, a HiAce part can usually be sourced within a day or two. This matters when you are 800km from the nearest city.
- Resale value: HiAces hold their value extraordinarily well. A well-maintained high-roof LWB from 2010-2015 that you bought for $22,000 will likely sell for $18,000-20,000 three years later with a completed build.
- Build-friendly interior: The flat floor (LWB models), vertical walls, and good ceiling height in the high-roof version make the HiAce one of the most build-friendly vans available.
Weaknesses
- Cab-over design: The HiAce is a cab-over design, meaning the engine sits under the cab rather than in a front bonnet. This gives you more cargo space but makes engine access more involved — you need to tilt the cab for many maintenance tasks.
- Older feel: The pre-2019 HiAce interior is functionally a late 1990s design. It does the job but feels dated compared to the Transit.
- Price: The reliability reputation means HiAces are expensive for their age. Budget $18,000-28,000 AUD for a 2012-2018 high-roof LWB in reasonable condition.
- Width: The HiAce is narrower internally than the Transit, which limits queen bed layouts (though not impossible — many builds use a lengthwise queen successfully).
Ford Transit: The Feature-Rich Modern Option
Strengths
- Space: The Transit is wider than the HiAce, which makes interior layouts easier. A crosswise queen bed sits with room on either side. The high-roof version has genuinely impressive headroom.
- Modern driving experience: Power steering, modern suspension, more car-like to drive. After a long day behind the wheel, this matters more than you expect.
- More affordable entry: Transits are slightly cheaper than equivalent HiAces, and the Custom (medium wheelbase) version hits a sweet spot of size and price.
- Towing: Transits have better towing capacity if you plan to pull a trailer or small caravan.
Weaknesses
- Reliability concerns: The 2.2L Duratorq diesel in early Australian Transits has a known issue with EGR and DPF systems — common to most modern diesels but Ford's execution has been more problematic than Toyota's. The 2.0L EcoBlue in post-2019 models is better but not yet proven over the long distance Australian van lifers demand.
- Repair costs: Ford's dealer network is smaller than Toyota's in rural Australia. Parts are more expensive and some repairs require specialist knowledge.
- Resale: Transits depreciate faster than HiAces. Less of a concern if you plan to keep the van long-term, but relevant if you are building to sell.
The Verdict
For most Australian van lifers, the HiAce is the better choice. The reliability advantage is not marginal — it is significant, and it matters most in the places you most want to go.
The Transit makes sense if you are a larger person who needs the extra interior width, if you prioritise the modern driving experience, or if you are primarily using the van close to major cities where repair access is not an issue.
| Criteria | HiAce | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Parts in remote areas | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Interior space | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Driving experience | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Value for money | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Resale value | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |