The Toyota Coaster bus range has been updated this week, days after the company updated its HiAce van range.
Buses aren’t generally our ‘bag’ at CarAdvice, but the changes made to the venerable Coaster make it more car-like than ever.
All three Coaster variants now get a reversing camera as standard, as well as three-point seatbelts for each of its 21 seats. The camera image is displayed on a 6.1-inch touchscreen display that also houses standard satellite-navigation, as well as USB/Bluetooth connectivity.
In addition, an electronic speed limiter — controlled by the engine computer to 100km/h — has been adopted on all variants to meet regulations.
In return for the extras, Toyota has slapped a $2000 price increase across the range, however.
As before, other standard features include air-conditioning, ABS, power steering, tilt and telescopic adjustment for the steering column, a reclining driver’s seat, vinyl seat trim and a centre folding door.
Deluxe variants are upgraded with fabric seat trim, a gliding-type centre door, power door locks, an upper window for the driver’s door, and two cup holders on the dashboard.
All Coasters are powered by a Euro 5-compliant 4.0-litre, four-cylinder (yes) turbo-diesel engine. The common-rail unit makes 397Nm of torque at 1800rpm and 110kW of power at 2700rpm. Towing capacity is two tonnes and the fuel tank is 95 litres.
The transmission in Deluxe automatic models is a four-speed unit equipped with a shift-lock system and oil cooler. The standard gearbox is a five-speed manual.
Coaster, like all new Toyota vehicles, is covered by Toyota Service Advantage. The first six scheduled services are each capped at $360.
The Coaster has been in Australia across various generations for 38 years, with nearly 20,000 sold to organisations such as charities, community groups, local government, hotels, tour operators and mines.
However, it no longer holds the mantle as Australia’s top-selling bus, and hasn’t for several years. In 2014, the Mitsubishi Rosa netted 357 registrations compared to the Toyota with 227. So far in 2015, the Rosa has more than doubled the Coaster’s sales.
2015 Toyota Coaster pricing (plus on-road costs):
- Standard manual $114,400
- Deluxe manual $118,400
- Deluxe automatic $125,400
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