Toyota HiAce vs Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1)
This page compares the Toyota HiAce SWB with the Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1) L1H1. Choose any other size of either below. The Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1) is 209 mm8 in longer, 10 mmunder 1 in taller and 209 mm8 in wider than the Toyota HiAce. The Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1) has 428 mm1 ft 5 in less load length at the floor and a wheelbase 430 mm1 ft 5 in longer.
VanCAD models the Toyota HiAce in 4 sizes (SWB, SWB High Roof, SWB Wide, LWB), from 4,695 mm15 ft 5 in to 5,380 mm17 ft 8 in long and 1,980 mm6 ft 6 in to 2,285 mm7 ft 6 in tall, with rear-wheel drive. VanCAD models the Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1) in 3 sizes (L1H1, L2H1, L2H2), from 4,904 mm16 ft 1 in to 5,304 mm17 ft 5 in long and 1,990 mm6 ft 6 in to 2,477 mm8 ft 2 in tall, with front-wheel drive.
Side profiles at one scale


- Toyota HiAce SWB
- Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1) L1H1
- Both
Lined up at the rear doors. The drawings leave off the rear bumper, so this is the line the load space ends at.
Drawn from VanCAD's 3D models at one scale, with the ground lines level. The figures in the table are the manufacturers' published ones: read a measurement from the table, not the picture.
The published figures
| Measurement | Toyota HiAce SWB | Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1) L1H1 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 4,695 mm15 ft 5 in | 4,904 mm16 ft 1 in | 209 mm longer8 in longer |
| Overall width (excluding mirrors) | 1,695 mm5 ft 7 in | 1,904 mm6 ft 3 in | 209 mm wider8 in wider |
| Overall height | 1,980 mm6 ft 6 in | 1,990 mm6 ft 6 in | 10 mm tallerunder 1 in taller |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm8 ft 5 in | 3,000 mm9 ft 10 in | 430 mm longer1 ft 5 in longer |
| Rear overhang | 1,050 mm3 ft 5 in | 996 mm3 ft 3 in | 54 mm shorter2 in shorter |
| Ground clearance | 195 mm0 ft 8 in | 180 mm0 ft 7 in | 15 mm less1 in less |
| Side door opening | 1,180 mm3 ft 10 in | 1,020 mm3 ft 4 in | 160 mm narrower6 in narrower |
| Load length at floor | 3,000 mm9 ft 10 in | 2,572 mm8 ft 5 in | 428 mm shorter1 ft 5 in shorter |
| Maximum internal load width | 1,545 mm5 ft 1 in | 1,700 mm5 ft 7 in | 155 mm wider6 in wider |
| Maximum internal load height | 1,335 mm4 ft 5 in | 1,410 mm4 ft 8 in | 75 mm higher3 in higher |
| Load floor height | 620 mm2 ft | 568 mm1 ft 10 in | 52 mm lower2 in lower |
| Kerb weight (approximate) | 1,855 kg4,090 lb | 1,884 kg4,154 lb | 29 kg heavier64 lb heavier |
| Gross vehicle weight (example rating) | 3,195 kg7,044 lb | 2,800 kg6,173 lb | 395 kg less871 lb less |
| Payload (approximate) | 1,340 kg2,954 lb | 916 kg2,019 lb | 424 kg less935 lb less |
| Drive | Rear-wheel driveRear-wheel drive | Front-wheel driveFront-wheel drive | DifferentDifferent |
| Design this van | Design this van |
The difference column reads the Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1) L1H1 against the Toyota HiAce SWB: "longer" means the Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1) L1H1 is the longer of the two.
More comparisons
Other comparisons with the Toyota HiAce or the Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1).
- Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1) vs Volkswagen Transporter (T7)
- Renault Trafic vs Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1)
- Vauxhall Vivaro vs Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1)
- Opel Vivaro vs Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1)
- Nissan NV300 vs Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1)
- Nissan Primastar vs Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1)
- Fiat Talento vs Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1)
- Ford Transit Custom vs Volkswagen Transporter (T6.1)
- Toyota HiAce vs Volkswagen Transporter (T7)
- Renault Trafic vs Toyota HiAce
- Toyota HiAce vs Vauxhall Vivaro
- Opel Vivaro vs Toyota HiAce
How to read these figures
Kerb weight (curb weight in North America) is the unladen mass in running order (all fluids, a 90% full fuel tank and a 75 kg driver), for a base-specification panel van. It is researched and approximate: a real van with options fitted will weigh more, and VanCAD lets you edit the figure on your own design.
Gross vehicle weight is the maximum permitted total weight of the loaded van. Approximate payload is the example gross weight shown above minus our researched kerb weight. The kerb weight already includes a 75 kg driver. The remaining allowance covers the conversion, other occupants, water and luggage, plus any driver weight above 75 kg. Weight ratings, engines and options vary; check your own vehicle's weight plate and axle limits. A converted van's real remaining allowance comes from a weighbridge, weighed ready to travel.
Load length is the manufacturer's published floor length behind the bulkhead, measured at floor level in the bare van. Lining, battens and a false floor all take from it, and the figure says nothing about the height or width available above it.
Interior figures are the manufacturer's published load length at floor, maximum internal load width and maximum internal load height, where available. These are before conversion: lining, insulation and flooring reduce usable space, and maximum dimensions do not apply everywhere inside the van. Check your own vehicle before cutting or building. VanCAD's traced interior shapes are illustrative and are never used as published measurements.
VanCAD models the mainstream panel van bodies and drive layouts for each van, not every factory option. A maker may also sell four-wheel-drive, chassis-cab or crew-van versions that are not listed here, so anything on this page about which layouts a van comes in describes the versions VanCAD offers rather than the maker's full range.
Will your layout fit?
Open either van in the browser, place a bed, a kitchen and a shower at real millimetre sizes, and read back the weight you have added. Free, with no install.