Rugged 2022 Toyota HiAce by Bus 4x4 hits the Australian market as jacked-up Kia Carnival, Honda Odyssey rival

The people mover market is dominated by the Kia Carnival, Honda Odyssey and Hyundai Staria, but none of them offer the ground clearance to really take head into uncharted territory.

Enter aftermarket specialists Bus 4x4 and its Toyota HiAce High Lift Conversion kit, which modifies the front-drive van to better tackle tricky terrain.

Though the 2WD High Lift Conversion kit increases ride height by 180mm, it shouldn’t be confused with Bus 4x4’s full-fat four-wheel-drive HiAce conversion though, which also adds drive to the rear axle.

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Regardless, the front and rear suspension components are also modified with the FWD High Lift Conversion kit, with the former adopting a sway bar and the latter helper springs, while the shock absorbers are also upgraded to better handle difficult terrain.

Likewise, the option of rear differential lockers, beefed-up underside protection and an upgraded fuel tank also serve to the get the HiAce into territory that may only be accessible to utes like the Toyota HiLux Rugged X, Ford Ranger Raptor and Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior.

Bus 4x4 also points out that the High Lift Conversion kit complies with all applicable ADRs.

The price? Bus 4x4 will fit the High Lift Conversion to a provided Toyota HiAce for $27,500, and for comparison the all-wheel-drive conversion will set buyers back $54,450.

For reference, the current HiAce range kicks off at $44,230 before on-road costs for the manual LWB, and tops out at $54,230 for the automatic SLWB.

All versions of the 2022 Toyota HiAce are powered by a 2.8-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 130kW/420Nm.