“Is there a Toyota “”Hiace”” that looks like the Toyota “”Alphard””? What is the mysterious “”Finetech Tourer”” with luxurious “”rear seat ottoman specification””?
Comfortable Business Hiace for 10 Passengers! What is the “”Fine Tech Tourer””?
Speaking of Toyota’s multi-passenger models, there are many models such as “”Sienta,”” “”Noah/Voxy,”” and “”Alphard/Vellfire”” for passenger base minivans, and “”Hiace”” and “”Grand Ace”” for commercial and transportation use. There is a 10-seater “”Fine Tech Tourer”” model based on the Hiace that is manufactured by Toyota Auto Body as a special-purpose vehicle.
“”FINETECH TOURER”” with Alphard seats is “”luxurious”” even though it is a Hiace.
What kind of features does this car have?
Looks like a Hiace, but inside is an Alphard! What is the “”Hiace Finetech Tourer””?
The Toyota Hiace Finetech Tourer is one of the models available in the Toyota Special Equipment Car Series (TECS).
TECS”” was first launched in 1972 as the “”TOYOTA EASY CARRY SYSTEM”” with the aim of reducing logistics costs through efficient transportation and cargo handling work systems, and was produced mainly as special purpose trucks.
In 1981, the company began planning and developing well-cab (welfare) vehicles as a response to social welfare and the aging population.
In 1996, the name was changed to “”TOYOTA EXCELLENT CONVERSION SERIES”” (Toyota’s excellent special purpose vehicle series).
TECS products include freezer/cooler trucks and vehicle carriers (carrier cars) based on the Dyna light-duty truck, as well as infant buses for transportation based on the Hiace.
Among these, the “”FINETECH TOURER”” is sold as a Hiace business transportation vehicle.
Based on the Hiace wagon with a 2.7-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine and 6-speed AT, two grades are available: long (GL grade for middle roof and base) and super long (Grand Cab grade for high roof and base), with 2WD and 4WD available for each. The two grades are 2WD and 4WD, respectively.
The most distinctive feature of the Finetech Tourer is the “”Relaxed Captain’s Seats”” installed in the second and third rows.
Although the seating capacity is the same as the base model (10 passengers), the standard seats have been removed from the Finetech Tourer and the layout has been significantly changed.
First, the model is fitted with special long-sliding independent seats with armrests on both sides, an ottoman, and foldable side tables (side tables are installed only in the second row on the Long model, and in both the second and third rows on the Super Long model).
The seats with side tables can also be slid sideways, allowing walk-through access to the cabin even though the seats are equipped with shoulder support.
In addition to the full 10-passenger mode, there is also a Super Relax mode in which the fourth-row seats can be flipped up to the left or right to accommodate six passengers, a Big Luggage mode in which all rear seats are slid forward to accommodate four passengers, and a Rear Flat mode in which the second and third row seats are reclined to accommodate overnight stays in the car. The second- and third-row seats can be folded back to accommodate overnight stays in the car in the rear flat mode.
The “”Long”” grade features dual sliding doors on both sides, which are not available on the base grade, and the “”Super Long”” has 5-door specifications.
The “”Super Long”” model is equipped with a space-up seat that folds the normally non-folding fourth-row seat to the left or right, making it more convenient in terms of daily usability and meeting the needs of a wide range of users.
Incidentally, Toyota also has a similar multi-passenger luxury version of the Gran Ace, which was announced in October 2019.
The Gran Ace is a model designed to meet the growing demand for transportation and other needs, focusing on providing a more comfortable space for people to move around as well as transporting luggage, and is powered by a 2.8-liter inline 4-cylinder diesel engine mated to a 6-speed AT.
With many interior and exterior embellishments and a full range of safety and comfort equipment, it is even more luxurious than the Hiace Finetech Tourer.
Comparing the Grand Ace with the Hiace Finetech Tourer, the first major difference is the price (including tax below).
The Gran Ace is priced at 6,200,000 yen for the 8-seater G and 6,500,000 yen for the 6-seater Premium, while the Finetech Tourer ranges in price from 4,354,200 yen to 5,368,000 yen.
The base Hiace Wagon is priced between 3,151,000 yen and 4,015,000 yen, and the Finetech Tourer is about 1,200,000 to 1,350,000 yen more, but still in the lower price range compared to the Gran Ace.
Also, while the Gran Ace is only available in 2WD, the Finetech Tourer is available in 4WD, which is likely to be more useful in situations such as winter travel and transportation to and from hotels and ski resorts in snowy areas.
Also, while the Granace is available in four body colors, the Finetech Tourer is available in seven colors, which is another advantage of the Hiace siblings’ wide range of variations and sales volume.
The FINETECH TOURER is available in seven colors, whereas the GRAN ACE comes in four colors.
While maintaining the mobility of the Hiace, the layout can accommodate a maximum of 10 passengers, and the rear four passengers can move comfortably with the installation of special captain seats.
The Finetech Tourer is also characterized by its versatile seating arrangements that can be used to carry a variety of cargo, as well as a choice of 4WD models that can be relied on in winter and snowy regions.
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