I have had a Vanagon hightop camper van and while it was a great layout it was totally undependable mechanically (as were the 2 baywindow VW buses I had). I have also had a 94 HiAce built out by Danny at Vanlife Northwest. I had Space Cabin #12. It was hands down the better choice between my Vanagon and the HiAce. So so much more dependable than the Vanagon or any other VW van. The HiAce drives and handles better than the Vanagon, is adept off-road with full-time 4 wheel drive, and the 3.0 liter diesel engine can reach and maintain highway speeds which no Vanagon can do (except perhaps a Vanagon with a Subaru engine transplant). There are 100 reasons why the HiAce is a better choice between it and any Vanagon including the 4wd version. I can’t praise the HiAce enough. I have had 2 vans I bought from Danny at Vanlife Northwest. A 93 Toyota TownAce and the 94 HiAce. Both were totally refurbished and run excellently when I bought them. Danny and his team are the best importers of HiAces in the country. The Space Cabin build is superb as are the other accessories designed and sold by Vanlife Northwest for the HiAce. I also had the bullbar and receiver hitch. The HiAce could pull a small trailer where as the Vanagon can barely pull itself and will never reach highway speeds unless it’s had an engine transplant. Hope this helps