Toyota Hiace Premio — The Group, Family and Dive-Gear Vehicle
Ten captain seats. Dive-gear racks. The Hiace is what we send for liveaboard groups, families with five children, and any multi-couple party where headcount and luggage outgrow an Innova.
When ten people arrive, the Hiace shows up
The Hiace is our second-most-booked vehicle, and unlike the Innova it is not a default — it is a specific choice. People reach for the Hiace because they have a problem the Innova cannot solve: too many bodies, too much gear, or a group dynamic that benefits from sitting in a circle rather than a row of three.
Every Toyota Hiace Premio in our fleet is the latest commuter generation, 2022 model year or newer, with a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, automatic transmission, and the Premio interior trim — meaning reclining captain-style seats arranged in a 1+2+2+2+3 layout, individual reading lights, USB ports at every seat, and a luggage rack rated for ten checked bags plus the dive-gear bay below.
Capacity, gear, and the things that matter for groups
Passenger capacity: 1 to 10 adults. We do not seat eleven, even though the bench would technically fit. Comfort over capacity is the reason groups pre-book us instead of stuffing into a “shared shuttle.”
Luggage capacity: 10 large checked bags + 10 carry-ons. For dive groups: up to 6 full BCD-and-tank rigs comfortably, or 4 rigs plus 6 large suitcases for mixed dive-and-general parties. We do not charge a dive-gear surcharge — it is included.
What is in every Hiace:
- Reclining captain-style seats with adjustable headrests
- Premium audio system (we leave it off unless you ask)
- USB-C ports at every seat (10 ports total)
- Two zones of climate control — front cabin and rear cabin separately
- Cold drinks in a chilled drinks tray (water, sparkling water, Coke Zero on request)
- Cold towels for everyone on boarding
- Wi-Fi tethering hotspot — free, included on every Hiace transfer
- Roof-mounted luggage rack (only used for waterproof gear; suitcases stay inside)
The Hiace cabin is taller than the Innova by about 30 cm. You can stand up to gather a jacket from the overhead, which sounds trivial until you have five passengers trying to find sandals at hotel arrival in the rain.
Pricing — group savings vs. booking two Innovas
| Zone | Definition | Hiace one-way |
|---|---|---|
| Zone A | Town & Harbour (≤4.5 km, 11-13 min) | $40 / IDR 650,000 |
| Zone B | Inner Beach / Hill Resorts (4.5-7 km, 14-18 min) | $48 / IDR 780,000 |
| Zone C | Outer Beach / Coast (7-12 km, 18-25 min) | $58 / IDR 945,000 |
| Zone D | Boat-required islands (incl speedboat) | $145 / IDR 2,365,000 |
Round-trip discount: Book both legs at checkout for 10% off the total.
Why one Hiace beats two Innovas for groups of seven or more:
Two Innovas to a Zone A hotel = $50 (twice $25). One Hiace to the same hotel = $40. You save $10, you keep the group together, and the lead car cannot get separated from the second car at a junction in the rain. For group transfers above six pax, the Hiace is the math-correct choice almost every time. See the full pricing page for break-even calculations.
When to choose the Hiace
Pick the Hiace if any of these describe your arrival:
- You are a dive group with full kit (BCDs, regs, fins, dry boxes, surface markers)
- You are a liveaboard charter and the entire boat manifest is on the same flight
- You are a family of five to ten with luggage
- You are a multi-couple party who would rather travel together
- You are coordinating a wedding party where the photographer + videographer + bride + groom + parents need to land together
- You are an eco-tour group where the headcount is fixed
- Your flight arrives late at night and you do not want to split the group across two cars
Choose the Innova instead if you are six or fewer with normal luggage. Choose the Alphard instead if luxury and individual ottoman footrests are the point.
Routes our Hiace drives most often
The Hiace dominates the outer-coast and inner-beach hotel routes where group accommodation clusters. Most-booked Hiace transfers:
- LBJ → AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach — group arrivals from Bali / Singapore
- LBJ → Plataran Komodo — wedding parties
- LBJ → Ta’aktana Luxury Collection — Bonvoy group bookings
- LBJ → Sudamala Seraya — speedboat-handed dive groups
- LBJ → Marina Bayview — liveaboard manifest pickup
- LBJ → Katamaran Resort — liveaboard groups
For all of these, the Hiace’s dive-gear capacity and group-keeping are the reason guests book us instead of organising two separate cars.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Hiace handle full dive gear for ten divers?
We comfortably load six full rigs (BCD + reg + fins + tank if required + dry box + surface marker) plus six personal carry-ons. Ten full rigs requires our diver transfer protocol with roof-rack waterproof bags — write “10 dive sets” in your booking notes and we send the rack-equipped unit.
Are child seats available?
Yes — up to two free child seats (infant or forward-facing booster) per Hiace booking. ISOFIX anchors on rows 2 and 3.
What is the Hiace’s luggage limit before we have to switch to two cars?
Ten large checked bags + ten carry-ons. Beyond that, we send a Hiace + Innova combination with a single bill at the bundle rate.
Does the Hiace have child-seat anchors and seatbelts on every seat?
Yes — three-point seatbelts on every captain seat (10 total), ISOFIX on the second and third rows.
Can the Hiace pull up to a small hotel like Casa de Capulet?
Yes — the Hiace is wider than the Innova but not significantly longer. It handles the boutique-hotel approach roads in Labuan Bajo without issue.
Reserve your Hiace
Pick your hotel, set your date, choose Hiace from the vehicle dropdown — we confirm in five minutes via WhatsApp. For dive groups and liveaboard pickups, mention the boat name and your skipper’s contact in the notes so we synchronise with the vessel ETA.
Live booking form · WhatsApp dispatch · Group transfer details · Diver transfer protocol · FAQ