Campervan Review: 2015 Frontline Hiace

Article by · May 5, 2017 ·

New model embraces everything the weekender or tourer looks for in a vehicle, plus a whole lot more.

When Leonardo da Vinci penned, ‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’ 500 years ago, could he have had the foresight to be referring to Frontline’s 2015 Toyota Hiace campervan?

Probably not. But Frontline has well and truly weaved its customised magic to make the latest Hiace conversion shine. The Sydney company that has been specialising in Hiace conversions since 1987 has turned the 2015 Hiace into something beautiful in its simplicity, but well beyond a standard camper.

The fuel injected 2.7 litre petrol engine never misses a beat. On the open freeway, the Toyota sat comfortably on the 110 km/h speed limit urging me to put the foot down even further. When I took the back road to the hinterland, the Hiace came into its own. The light yet powerful vehicle loved the challenging winding roads.

The responsive motor is tucked into such a simple yet comfortable driving setup so I thought I was throwing a standard vehicle around those bends, rather than a four and a half metre long van. It left me pondering what was capable of the optional three litre diesel model or the 2015 six-speed auto petrol model.022

When it was time for a rest, setting up for camping mode couldn’t have been easier. In no time at all I chose a pleasant riverside spot and got to work. The simplicity of the side awning and the rear tail gate offers plenty of shade and weather protection. The optional canvas/flyscreen room to suit the standard Fiamma awning instantly doubled the size of my lodgings; mozzie-proof, sun proof and waterproof.

The kitchen setup is also straight forward. The two-burner stove is removable for alfresco cooking or cleaning and the sink and ample cupboard and storage spaces that are well thought out. The 80 litre fridge/freezer and the optional microwave oven are perfectly slotted into the kitchen, offering ample cooking space.

My only regret at this point was not having a few friends with me to enjoy the generous seating arrangements of the versatile four seater. The compact dining table offers convenience and ease of setup allowing for the comfortable option of a fully prepared meal.

In all Frontline offers six clever options for the internal layout of the new Hiace, so there’s certain to be one to suit most buyer’s needs.

The electrics of the 2015 Hiace are fool proof. The auxiliary battery is kept charged by the vehicle’s engine or plugged into 240-volt mains. The battery can run the vehicle’s numerous appliances for up to two days without charge. There is also a solar powered backup option for more remote trips.

026The Hiace stereo was up to speed with modern connections available for my iPod. Nothing too fancy, but safe. The sweet tunes led to me effortlessly setting up the comfy double bed for a quick energy recharging afternoon siesta. Plenty of room and plenty of ventilation for a good night’s sleep. The internal height with the top-popped offered 1910mm head height – reasonable for even a lanky traveller room to move. The option of a roof bed in this space is perfect for an extra bed for a teenager or two kids.

Talking to a Frontline Hiace camper owner who turned up at the campsite later in the day and was only too willing to sing its praises really convinced me of their value and versatility.

“Mate, I can fit my surfboards in easily, load up my wife and her artwork and we can disappear down the coast for a few days trouble free. All the modern cons,” he said with a smile.   “And on the way home, we can park easily around town and stop in to do some errands. Cleaning the van after a road trip is a breeze.”

Over the years Frontline has converted thousands of campervans and the 2015 Toyota Hiace conversion comes with a good list of standard inclusions. Better still, the optional extras are also reasonably priced, making it affordable to put together a package that meets your needs but won’t cost you and arm and a leg.

In summary, the Frontline 2015 Hiace Campervan is an excellent RV. Smart, simple and when you look at the base price for a Hiace van alone, it’s exceptional value for money.

The sophistication this vehicle embraces through simplicity, reliability and comfort is everything the weekender or extended tourer expects in a campervan, plus a lot more.

6 speed manual diesel model drive away $68,500

Link: Read the full review and specs in Issue 14 of Time to Roam.

mm

About Time To Roam

Australia's premier magazine focused on the people and culture of caravanning and camping.

3 Comments

  • comment-avatar

    Tim Ahern

    Sounds like an exciting and well constructed ride. I look the look of the wrap around room on the website. I believe this is also the one that they have available as the rental campervan they offer so I guess you can try before you buy. Nice review

  • comment-avatar

    Jacqui and John

    Our camper is probably 5 years old and although we love it, we find that it wanders on open roads – any suggestions?

    • mm

      Brendan Batty

      Hi Jacqui and John.
      There could be any number of reasons behind it, but wheel alignment, or tyre condition is likely playing a part – I have experienced wander driving a Hiace, so it could also be an unfortunate trait of the vehicle. Best bet is to see a tyre and steering specialist, though. Or get in touch with Frontline to see if they’ve seen the issue in other Toyota vans. Cheers, Brendan


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