Hino has unified its medium- and new heavy-duty product lines under a single naming structure, with updated exteriors and exteriors and new features, such as active safety and crew-cab options.

At the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta Oct. 28, Hino announced its new M Series Class 4/5 cab-over-engine models (previously the 155 and 195 models) and the new L Series Class 6/7 conventional trucks (formerly 238, 258, 268, and 330).

Combined with Hino’s recently launched XL Series’ Class 7/8 vehicles, this creates a cohesive family of commercial trucks. The naming convention uses a number after the letter, such as M4, M5, L6, and L7, designating the GVW class of each model. The M series also includes the M5H hybrid.

For the 2021 model year, the Hino M4 and M5 have been upgraded with a new grille design, optional LED headlights, and a new HD 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission with gear hold feature. Hino said it also has the industry’s first OE fully integrated lane departure warning system in this vehicle segment.

There are also interior upgrades, with a new shifter layout, controls on the steering wheel (including hands-free calling), a new gauge cluster with a 4.2-inch LCD multi-information display, and a driver’s seatbelt sensor.

The Hino L6 and Hino L7 conventional models boast a bolder look, with a chrome grille and an aero lower spoiler, with optional LED headlights. The interior has a new automotive grade finish with a carbon fiber pattern designed for commercial use and improved functionality, steering wheel controls, a large 7-inch LCD multi-information display, plus more storage and leg room. The gear selector has been relocated for better ergonomics and more room.

Safety features from the new heavy-duty XL trucks are also finding their way down into their smaller siblings, with an array of safety systems available on the Hino L Series including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Collision Mitigation System (CMS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Active Cruise Control (ACC) and driver’s seatbelt sensor.

There are also new wheelbase options and extended and crew cab configurations. Previously the longest wheelbase available was 271, but Hino has added 30 inches to that for a 301-inch option.

The 30” extended cab will have seating for five, and the 44” crew cab will have full-size doors and seat six passengers and provide the comfort of rear zone A/C and heat.

The Hino XL Series also gets new some new features for the 2021 model year, including the extended cab and crew cab configurations seen on the L Series, plus a snow plow package complete with an 18,000-pound-GVW front axle and front frame extensions. The Hino XL7 and XL8 will now come standard with a driver’s seatbelt sensor and available adaptive cruise control, building on the trucks’ ESC, CMS and LDW active safety solutions.

Hino Trucks dealers are now accepting orders for the new 2021 models. The extended and crew cab variants will be added in the spring and the XL snow plow package in mid-2020.