Toyota Gazoo Racing, while seemingly poised to expand its dedicated sports car offerings, also caters to a broader audience through its GR Parts division. This division specializes in imbuing even everyday models with a touch of sporty flair, demonstrated most recently with its enhancements for the venerable Toyota HiAce. Remarkably, the H200 generation of the HiAce, originally launched in 2004, remains available in Japan for the 2025 model year, a testament to its enduring popularity and practicality. While the most significant update for this year is the introduction of a high-spec trim level, the Super GL Dark Prime S, the GR Parts styling upgrades are what truly capture the attention of enthusiasts.
Toyota describes the GR Parts Version I for the HiAce as being "inspired by off-road design," aiming to make a statement not only in rugged outdoor environments but also on city streets. The GR Parts Version II, on the other hand, is billed as "an even more exciting anticipation of motorsports," although the precise meaning of this description remains somewhat open to interpretation. The primary distinction between the two versions lies in the design of the front bumper add-on and the side skirts. Version I features a robust, bolt-on bumper insert with integrated LED lights and a metal-style skid plate, complemented by side skirts that resemble side steps and GR-branded mudflaps, available in either red or black. Version II adopts a more streamlined and sporty aesthetic, incorporating a front splitter and more subtle side skirt extensions. Owners have the option to further personalize their HiAce with a more pronounced rear bumper incorporating a miniature diffuser, a new set of 15-inch alloy wheels, and a number plate frame adorned with GR bolts.
The GR Parts upgrades come at a cost, with the Version I body kit priced at ¥231,000 and the Version II at ¥143,000. For those seeking the complete transformation, the wheels and tires will set you back an additional ¥242,000, the mudflaps ¥33,000, and the anti-theft GR number plate frame ¥15,510.
GR Parts occupies a specific niche within the Gazoo Racing hierarchy, positioned below the more hardcore GRMN models, the performance-focused GR line, and the subtly enhanced GR Sport variants. Despite the visual enhancements offered by GR Parts, the HiAce is conspicuously absent from the official Gazoo Racing website in Japan. This omission suggests that Toyota does not fully consider it a part of the core GR lineup, which notably includes another light commercial vehicle-derived model, the rugged Hilux GR Sport.
Beyond the GR Parts catalog, HiAce enthusiasts can explore a wide array of Modellista upgrades. These body kits showcase more pronounced aerodynamic components and can be combined with a decal set, metal trim pieces for the grille, new wheel designs, and more prominent tailpipes. The interior can also be enhanced with wood trim, LED lighting, leather seats, and practical accessories such as a portable air sleep mat or roof-mounted fishing rod holders.
Modellista also offers chassis upgrades, including refined shocks for a more comfortable ride and rear bracing for added rigidity. However, it's important to note that despite all these visual and chassis enhancements, the HiAce retains its carry-over gasoline and diesel powertrains, with no performance upgrades offered. This focus on aesthetics and subtle handling improvements, rather than outright power increases, underscores the GR Parts and Modellista philosophy of enhancing the style and usability of existing models, rather than transforming them into full-fledged performance machines.