Toyota HiAce Has Company: 5 Passenger Vans Worth Cross-Shopping in the UAE

Dubai: The Toyota HiAce has long been the default choice for UAE businesses needing to move people or cargo, and for good reason: it's proven, well-supported, and comes in a genuinely wide range of configurations. But it's no longer the only serious option out there. 

If you're shopping for a van right now, here are five real alternatives worth cross-checking against the HiAce, straight from each brand's own official pages. For a refresher on what makes the HiAce itself tick, our piece on what's under its hood is worth a read first.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Which one is the most affordable to get into? The Nissan Urvan starts from AED 91,900 for its entry panel van configuration.
  
  
• Which one carries the most passengers? The JAC Sunray, seating 16 people as standard, is just ahead of the Maxus V90's 15-seat layout.
  
  

Nissan Urvan: The Budget-Friendly Workhorse

Cheap to buy, cheap to run, that's the entire pitch, and it works. Nissan rates fuel economy between 11 and 11.5 km per litre, and the same 2.5-litre engine carries everything from a bare-bones 3-seat panel van up to a 13-seat microbus.

Category	Details
Powertrain	2.5L DOHC 16-valve QR25DE petrol, 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic
Exterior	15-inch metal wheel rims, standard or high roof options
Interior	Multifunctional display, rear air conditioning, tiltable steering column, foldable rear seats
Safety	Driver & passenger airbags
Price	From AED 91,900 (panel van) to AED 123,900 (13-seat microbus)

Hyundai Staria: The Tech-Forward Choice

This one thinks like an MPV, not a work van. Power comes from a 3.5-litre V6 through a smooth 8-speed automatic, and Hyundai backs it with a full SmartSense safety package, something most vans in this class quietly skip.

Category	Details
Powertrain	3.5L Smartstream V6, 272ps @ 6,400rpm, 8-speed automatic, FWD
Exterior	Smart power sliding doors, smart power tailgate
Interior	Long sliding seats, USB outlets at all seats
Infotainment	8-inch display audio, 10.25-inch digital cluster (optional), BOSE premium sound
Safety	Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping & Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Smart Cruise Control
Price	TBD

Maxus V80: The Fleet Specialist

Corporate shuttles, staff runs, school routes, that's the V80's whole job, and a 2.5L turbo diesel with EURO V compliance keeps the running costs sane. It comes in 15-seat and 18-seat forms, plus a school bus variant already cleared by UAE transport authorities.

Category	Details
Powertrain	2.5L Turbo Diesel, EURO V compliant
Exterior	Medium or high roof, low step-in height, wide doors
Interior	Driver-focused cockpit, USB charging and storage
Safety	Rear parking sensors, wide-angle camera, stability control, ABS, multiple airbags, high-strength body frame
Price	From AED 95,000 (+VAT)

Maxus V90: The Premium Option

Think of this as the V80's better-dressed sibling. A 2.0-litre turbo diesel puts out 148hp and 375Nm, and the 15-passenger (14+1) cabin is pitched at people who want their shuttle to feel closer to executive transport than a school run.

Category	Details
Powertrain	2.0L VGT Turbo Diesel, 148hp / 375Nm, 7.6L/100km fuel consumption
Exterior	Large sliding doors, high-traction alloy wheels
Interior	Soft ambient lighting, USB charging ports, sound insulation
Safety	Rear parking sensors, camera assist, electronic stability control, reinforced body frame, multiple airbags
Price	From AED 105,000 (+VAT)

JAC Sunray: The Simple People-Mover

No frills here, just 16 seats and a job to do. A 2.7L CTI diesel with Common Rail, DOC, and SCR handles the running costs, while the safety pitch leans on a genuinely rigid body rather than a spec sheet full of acronyms.

Category	Details
Powertrain	2.7L CTI Diesel, Common Rail + DOC + SCR
Exterior	Automatic side step bars, wide side windows
Interior	Radio + USB with multi-function steering wheel
Infotainment	Radio + USB connectivity
Safety	BOSCH 8.0 ABS+EBD, X-shape braking, curved no-blind-spot mirrors, reversing radar, high-rigidity frame body
Price	TBD

Our Take

None of these five beat the HiAce on every count, but each one wins somewhere. Tight budget? The Urvan gets you in the cheapest, full stop. Want the most tech and the strongest safety net? Take the Staria. Running a fleet or a school route? The V80 is built for exactly that job, while the V90 does the same thing with a nicer cabin. 

Just need to move sixteen people without any extras? The Sunray does that and nothing more, which is sort of the point. And if you're still curious where Toyota's own range lands on price, our complete 2026 Toyota model and price guide puts it all in one place.

Also Read: The Skoda Superb Has Serious Company: 5 Sedans Worth Cross-Shopping in the UAE