Toyota Hi-ace Commuter vs Grandia

[stryker09]

Would anyone of you please give me a comparison between a 2007 Hiace Commuter and the Grandia. The van is to be converted into an ambulance. Doc Otep gave me an idea. Please do include comparisons as to accessories, power, etc.. I know Doc Otep would come out with some since he drives a Grandia ambulance.

[IMm29]

try looking at this url for a head to head comparo of features:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Personally, I'd go for the Grandia, if it's within budget. You can stuff a lot more life-saving stuff in it than in the Commuter (or the Starex PRO, for that matter). If it's not within budget, I'd try considering the Starex PRO against the Commuter. It might not have the 20+ horses of the D-4D engine, but then how fast need an ambulance be?

[niky]

You never know... I find the extra power of the Commuter... invigorating...

It's kinda a shame to pay all that extra cash for a few extra square feet of floor-space. Like Otep has said, the Commuter serves as their bigger Japanese ambulance, as the Urvan is narrower... now consider that the Grandia is bigger still...

I've driven the Commuter in the city... the handling and power are great (seriously... love the driving), but it's already a big vehicle... I found myself using the rear view mirrors to clear turns because, half the time, I wasn't sure I'd make it without "sabit"... this is in contrast to the Mazda E2000 I drove before it, which is longer but narrower and easier to place.

The Grandia would be wider and longer, which is good for working space, but for an ambulance that needs to get in and out of places quickly, it might be a liability.

[IMm29]

I don't know about the driving experience, but the ride on the Commuter I was on months back was jarring. Anyhow, extra power ain't bad. It's unfortunate that it's costing a lot tho.

[niky]

I suppose it would be, if unloaded. It's probably the same case as in the Fortuner, where the ultra-stiff set-up gives it good handling and carrying capability, offset by a poor ride.

And just like the Fortuner, it doesn't feel that bad from the driver's seat.

[OTEP]

Um, just for clarification, I ride a 2005 Toyota Hiace GL Grandia ambulance. Technically, I'm not really supposed to drive it as that is the job of the transport officer but I do get to drive it a bit when the boss is not looking or when we don't have any clients/patients on board.

The drivetrain (engine, transmission) between the Commuter and Grandia are the same. The Grandia is a bit taller and wider.

The Grandia is:
*Power door locks and windows
*Full interior trim (the only interior bare metal you will see is on the tailgate surround)
*Tachometer
*Extra cubby hole in the dashboard
*Chrome front grille, side mirrors, door handles
*Two-tone paint scheme
*Chrome Toyota logo surrounds on the wheelcovers
*Front center console instead of center seat
*ABS/SRS
*Rear wash wipe
*Third brake lamp

As for power, even the 70bhp Urvans can do 100kph on city streets with a full patient load.

It might be due to the gearing, but the Grandia does feel light on its feet. There's also the typical whine from the turbo as it spools up.

Some Grandia details:
*The air filter is located beneath the right headlamp. It uses a washable type element (the washing instructions are printed on the filter itself).
*There is a provision for a second battery behind the passenger seat in case you want to run a dual battery set up (dual battery kits are available from off-road shops).
*The front 'hood' is a good idea. It houses the coolant, brake fluid, a/c charge lines. But I still prefer having an actual hood and actually seeing the engine underneath it like on the Starex units.
*The sliding door can be 'locked' in the open position which can be useful for an ambulance.

[eggman]

Nakalimutan mo na may Dual Airbags at ABS ang GL Grandia..Iba rin ang wheel covers nya(prone sa nakaw to kaya recommended na bumili ng alloy wheels na tulad sa Super Grandia)...

Ang biggest advantage ng GL Grandia over its competitors ay yung massive width o lapad(as in LAPAD) ng body nya.. No wonder alot of hospitals are converting this one para maging ambulance kahit nasa 1.350-1.450M ang pricetag nya.

[OTEP]

Hi Ace Grandia Ambulance:

[niky]

Originally Posted by OTEP

Um, just for clarification, I ride a 2005 Toyota Hiace GL Grandia ambulance. Technically, I'm not really supposed to drive it as that is the job of the transport officer but I do get to drive it a bit when the boss is not looking or when we don't have any clients/patients on board.

The drivetrain (engine, transmission) between the Commuter and Grandia are the same. The Grandia is a bit taller and wider.

The Grandia is:
*Power door locks and windows
*Full interior trim (the only interior bare metal you will see is on the tailgate surround)
*Tachometer
*Extra cubby hole in the dashboard
*Chrome front grille, side mirrors, door handles
*Two-tone paint scheme
*Chrome Toyota logo surrounds on the wheelcovers
*Front center console instead of center seat
*ABS/SRS
*Rear wash wipe
*Third brake lamp

As for power, even the 70bhp Urvans can do 100kph on city streets with a full patient load.

It might be due to the gearing, but the Grandia does feel light on its feet. There's also the typical whine from the turbo as it spools up.

Some Grandia details:
*The air filter is located beneath the right headlamp. It uses a washable type element (the washing instructions are printed on the filter itself).
*There is a provision for a second battery behind the passenger seat in case you want to run a dual battery set up (dual battery kits are available from off-road shops).
*The front 'hood' is a good idea. It houses the coolant, brake fluid, a/c charge lines. But I still prefer having an actual hood and actually seeing the engine underneath it like on the Starex units.
*The sliding door can be 'locked' in the open position which can be useful for an ambulance.

Oops, my mistake... thought it was the commuter.

So lots of hospitals like the Grandia, eh? I guess it beats buying American V8 vans...

[OTEP]

Most of our Ford E-series vans are being used to patrol the NLEX at the moment. Aeromed has three stations over there. Let's see if the SLEX follows suit.

Lifeline Rescue (formerly Lifeline Arrows) still maintain a fleet of Ford E-vans for use in regular city conductions.

The Grandia still costs a pretty penny. Most of the hospitals I've been to (OsMak, Fatima, etc.) still use the Commuter variant. AFAIK, even Medical City's new ambulance will be a commuter.

Aside from Aeromed, I've yet to see another Grandia Ambulance unit. Maybe I'm just not looking hard enough.

[niky]

Expensive nga, eh.

Good luck getting an SLEX contract... those guys can't seem to do anything right... and right now they're strapped for cash while doing the development... though I'm more optimistic about it now, seeing the amount of work they're pouring into it.

Ansarap gawing ambulance ang E-series na Ford... used to ride with my Lolo to the hospital for his treatments in one. Great, floating ride, and an endless wave of torque. It's also intimidating enough to push everyone out of the way.

[IMm29]

Ahhh those torquey V8s. Yes, OTEP, i would think that they're optimizing the gearing to be able to make the most of the 2.5L D-4D powerplant for such a large beast. Otherwise, even if it's got the 'T' badge, I wouldn't think it'd sell well. That's a little gripe I have with the CRDi Starex. If you get it within its sweet spot, you'll be enjoying the waves of power and torque. But below that, darn, slow mo.

[niky]

Mas maganda yung upper end ng Starex... whereas the Toyota 2.5 D4D really starts to lose serious urge past 2000 rpm. The bigger engine in the Hiace feels like it's got more "oomph" than the 2.5, though...

[eggman]

I see GL Grandia pala yan sa inyo,actually mas practical to kaysa sa Ford E series vans noon na ambulance(that one costs 5-6M Pesos these days,i know these cause sumubok na kami sa ambulance service business)..

[OTEP]

We were supposed to get a Ford E-series for Makati duty. Unfortunately, the E-series won't fit in some side streets and cannot be accomodated by overhead/underground parking structures. We need the capability to enter parking structures because sometimes that is where we have to rescue people. I think the deepest the Grandia has gone to is basement 5 to rescue a patient who was having medical problems in his car.