What is the name of the old Toyota van?
The classic name for the old Toyota van is the Toyota Hiace (HiAce in many markets). The Hiace has been Toyota's flagship van since the late 1960s, and in earlier decades the company also offered smaller van lines such as LiteAce and TownAce that many people reference when they speak of vintage Toyota vans.
Historical overview of Toyota's van lineup
In this brief guide, we identify the main models commonly associated with vintage Toyota vans. The roster spans compact to mid-size and larger transport options, reflecting how Toyota evolved its cargo and passenger vans over the decades.
- Toyota Hiace (HiAce) — the long-running, globally recognized van name first introduced in 1967 and carried through multiple generations.
- Toyota LiteAce — a smaller van introduced in the 1980s, offering flexible cargo and passenger space; in some markets it was paired with the TownAce badge.
- Toyota TownAce — a compact van/MPV variant built on the LiteAce platform, popular in the 1980s and 1990s for urban and family use.
- Toyota Coaster — a larger minibus/van used for shuttle and commercial service; while not a light van, it sits within Toyota’s van/mini-bus family.
While Hiace is the best-known and most enduring name, LiteAce and TownAce represent the range of smaller van offerings from the era, and Coaster fills the larger-transport niche. The exact model people mean by “old Toyota van” often depends on region and era.
Summary
When asked for the name of the old Toyota van, the most common answer is Hiace. However, Toyota produced several other vans in the past, notably LiteAce and TownAce, with Coaster serving the bigger van/minibus segment. For accuracy, specify the year and market if you’re identifying a specific vintage model.
