Frontline Toyota HiAce H30 6 Gen Campervan 2022 Review

User-friendly compact campervan is perfect for first-time van lifers

User-friendly and compact, this Toyota HiAce campervan is perfect for first-time van lifers.
First-time RV buyers have flooded the market since the pandemic began, drawn to road-going holiday escapes by repeated lockdowns and travel restrictions.

For those new to RV travel, nothing could be easier or safer to drive long distances than a compact Toyota HiAce camper, especially one based on the popular medium van that doesn’t take up much more road space than a seven-seat SUV and is just as stress-free to drive and park.

Sydney-based Frontline campers were among the first to convert the latest HiAce and remain one of the few Australian specialists offering full ‘turn key’ production versions of this top-selling Japanese van. For nearly 35 years, Frontline campervans have been built with expert craftsmanship at the company’s Brookvale factory in northern Sydney.

Currently, the company builds around three vans per week, based on either the Toyota HiAce campervan or the more premium Volkswagen Transporter. Frontline camper conversions focus on simplicity and quality, offering just a few smart layouts and limited accessory options perfect for first-timers seeking ease and reliability.

Ready to roll

Pricing starts at $85,500 for the Frontline camper, with our Melbourne-based ‘try before you buy’ demo model priced at $87,500. It features a six-speed automatic transmission paired with the standard 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine.

This demo is a base model, representing what you get before ticking any of the 30+ optional extras.
“As a van aimed at people just trying out campervanning, we’ve kept this van very simple and haven’t added any options at all,” explained Jason Magee, Frontline’s Melbourne manager.
“But it also shows off the standard inclusions that go into every Frontline campervan, even before customers browse the options list.”

The van reviewed here features the ‘Adventurer’ layout, one of five available floorplans. It includes a compact kitchen, external shower, and forward-facing rear bench seat with two seatbelts. The rear seating quickly converts into a double bed at night, with the option of a pop-top rooftop bed to make this a compact four-berth camper.

Our black-bumper van is based on the entry-level HiAce LWB, though the GL version featuring colour-matched bumpers, fog lights, and a second rear camera is available for an extra $1000. Custom touches like roof racks, front nudge bars, and side stripes are optional. Still, Frontline camper conversions are known for maintaining the factory look, including flush-mounted pop-top roofs and tinted side windows.

SUV-Like Driving

The previous generation HiAce wasn’t a fan favourite, but this latest bonneted model is a big step forward in comfort especially for taller drivers. It delivers SUV-like drivability, with a clear forward view, good cabin ergonomics, and smooth gear transitions.

At 2450kg unladen, the Toyota HiAce campervan offers confident highway cruising, strong low-end torque, and good fuel efficiency. Not much larger than the latest LandCruiser, It’s quiet on the move, with only minor rattles from the cabin. Thanks to its compact footprint and tight turning circle, it’s easy to maneuver and park even at home, with a travel height of 2065mm.

Creature comforts include a leather steering wheel, air-conditioning, cruise control, and a touchscreen with sat-nav and smartphone mirroring. Safety-wise, this new Toyota HiAce campervan is equipped with disc brakes, seven airbags, stability control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.

Fuel consumption during testing averaged 12L/100km, giving a 600km range from the 70L fuel tank.

Simple Setup & Functional Layout

A standout feature of the Toyota frontline campervan for sale is its walk-through flat-floor layout, allowing access from the cab to the living area great in cold or rainy weather. The pop-top roof is manually raised from inside using simple straps. Entry is through the sliding door on the passenger side, or via the tailgate, which doubles as a shade awning. The Fiamma side awning provides further outdoor shelter.

The pop-top offers generous headroom, with great natural ventilation from flyscreened windows. Optional removable flyscreens for the tailgate and sliding door help with insect protection during warmer nights.

External features include 240V power hookup, a 50L freshwater tank, and an optional 22L grey water tank. There’s also a compact external locker for gas bottles to support both the standard portable butane stove and the optional 2-burner gas cooktop.

Storage is practical and ample in this Toyota HiAce campervan for sale, with space for camping gear in the rear boot and an optional under-bed porta-Potti compartment. The Frontline campervan includes a 100Ah AGM battery, Victron charger, and solar regulator with Anderson plug for optional solar panels.

The induction cooktop, 75L fridge/freezer, stainless steel sink, and multiple USB/12V/240V outlets make for a fully equipped compact kitchen. The dinette table stows neatly behind the driver’s seat and offers a swivel mount for flexible indoor/outdoor use.

The ‘Rock and Roll’ bed setup is fast and easy to convert and quite comfy, although the 1860mm x 1400mm bed may be tight for larger couples. A rooftop bed option is available for small children.

Lighting includes LED ceiling fixtures and reading lights, with ventilation provided by windows and a 12V fan. For extra convenience, a diesel heater, microwave, TV, and external canvas rooms are all available as options. Interior cabinetry offers six drawers, a wardrobe, and overhead shelving finished in classic beech ply with Baltic blue upholstery and sand curtains.

Other on-the-road comforts

Cold showers are outside, using the retractable shower hose with a faucet accessible from under the rear tailgate. If you plan to travel in cooler months, an optional ($2300) 240V heat exchange unit is available for warmer showers.

The interior also has a good array of 240V, 12V and USB sockets for powering a few gadgets, including a 12V socket in the control switch panel located under the kitchen bench. There are also some LED roof lights, flexible stork reading lights, and a single 12V swivel fan.

There are block-out curtains on all windows and the front driving cabin windows, so the swivelled passenger seat remains within the camper space once you’ve closed up for the night.

There’s no option to fit an RV air-conditioner, but buyers can add a diesel space heater, microwave and TV, and canvas outside ‘rooms’, although the more stuff you fit, the less dedicated storage space you’ll have. However, there’s more than enough payload at 850kg, and you can tow a trailer up to 1500kg with the auto transmission.

There’s a surprising number of (compact) storage options inside, built into the light ply cabinetry on the offside wall, including six small drawers and cupboards around the kitchen and a good-sized cupboard/wardrobe alongside the bed for clothes and towels.

Frontline offers a limited palette of interior colour options. The review van sporting a more traditional look of beech ply cabinets, Baltic blue cloth upholstery, sand curtains and pebble lino.

Summing Up

While it may lack flashy extras, the Frontline campervans stand out for smart design, ease of use, and durable construction. Marine carpet and moisture-resistant ply ensure long-term reliability. Whether you’re seeking a weekend getaway or an everyday driver with camping capability, the Frontline HiAce Adventurer delivers real-world practicality in a neat, well-priced package. This is an ideal Toyota HiAce campervan Australia buyers can trust for quality, backed by a company with decades of experience.

How much does the 2002 Frontline HiAce Adventurer cost?

Price: $87,500

Credit: Caravan Camping Sales
https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/frontline-hiace-2022-review-134626