The Toyota HiLux is beneath fireplace.
It was crushed on the gross sales charts in 2023 – the primary time in seven years – by its arch rival from Ford, the Ranger.
What’s extra, big-spending non-public patrons are trying previous high-end HiLux variants just like the SR5+ on take a look at right here in favour of the newer, higher-tech Ford.
Toyota has confirmed there’s an up to date HiLux coming subsequent month with the choice of a 48V mild-hybrid system, harder new seems, and a few delicate tweaks to the cabin.
Is it value ready, or do you have to snap up the present mannequin earlier than it’s gone?
Be aware: Toyota Australia has confirmed pricing for the up to date HiLux with V-Energetic Expertise (48V mild-hybrid tech) however has stopped in need of confirming particulars of your complete 2024 line-up. Learn extra here.
How does the Toyota HiLux fare vs its opponents?
View an in depth breakdown of the Toyota HiLux towards equally sized automobiles.
![Toyota HiLux cutout image](https://c-images.carexpert.com.au/upload/q_auto:best/f_auto/c_scale,w_1600/v1/showroom/primarycutout/clqvkln9u007l882rf4t913th.png)
Toyota
HiLux
How a lot does the Toyota HiLux value?
As ever, the Toyota HiLux vary is totally huge – with 28 variants on supply in Australia.
4-wheel drive pricing is under. For a full breakdown of the vary you may try our price and specs story, or our price and specs tool.
4×4 dual-cab chassis
- 2023 Toyota HiLux Workmate 2.4TD 6AT: $48,735 (+$560)
- 2023 Toyota HiLux SR 2.8TD 6MT: $50,955 (+$560)
- 2023 Toyota HiLux SR 2.8TD 6AT: $53,105 (+$560)
- 2023 Toyota HiLux SR5 2.8TD 6AT: $59,990 (+$560)
4×4 dual-cab pickup
- 2023 Toyota HiLux Workmate 2.4TD 6MT: $47,985 (+$560)
- 2023 Toyota HiLux Workmate 2.4TD 6AT: $49,985 (+$560)
- 2023 Toyota HiLux SR 2.8TD 6MT: $52,445 (+$560)
- 2023 Toyota HiLux SR 2.8TD 6AT: $54,605 (+$560)
- 2023 Toyota HiLux SR5 2.8TD 6MT: $60,490 (+$560)
- 2023 Toyota HiLux SR5 2.8TD 6AT: $62,490 (+$560)
- 2023 Toyota HiLux Rogue 2.8TD 6AT: $70,760 (+$560)
- 2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport 2.8TD 6AT: $73,990
Costs are earlier than on-road prices
To see how the Toyota HiLux compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool.
What’s the Toyota HiLux like on the within?
The HiLux is beginning to really feel its age inside.
It was given a number of light updates in 2021, led by an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system packing smartphone mirroring, however alongside the Ford Ranger it’s a good distance off the tempo.
I discover it exhausting to clamber into, with restricted adjustment within the steering wheel which means I’ve to awkwardly lever my lanky legs beneath it, and the driving place feels fairly cramped.
With that stated, the entrance seats are well-padded for longer journeys, and the view of the street forward is commanding. Our tester with the non-compulsory SR5+ Package deal has leather-based seat trim rather than the material within the common SR5, together with heating and energy adjustment for the entrance seats.
The bundle doesn’t remodel the HiLux right into a luxurious automotive – the coarse steering wheel doesn’t actually really feel worthy of a $65,000 dual-cab ute, and there’s quite a lot of exhausting plastic round – however it’s respectable worth at $2000, and will probably be welcomed by homeowners who use their truck on a piece website and the varsity run.
Additionally value noting is the very fact exhausting plastics are exhausting sporting, which is consistent with the HiLux’s billing as a go-anywhere, do-anything work ute.
Toyota has a great grasp on ergonomics. Have to press one thing usually? Likelihood is it’s inside simple attain, which makes the training curve extra of a molehill than a mountain in right here.
The infotainment system is comparatively easy to make use of on the transfer, and responds shortly sufficient to inputs. It’s not what you’d name standout, however the addition of smartphone mirroring is an enormous improvement. Factors to Toyota for becoming exhausting shortcut buttons and a correct quantity knob, too.
Together with satellite tv for pc navigation and the requisite Bluetooth telephone connectivity, there’s wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring for simpler telephone calls, Google Maps, and media entry on the transfer.
There’s additionally an abundance of storage with a phone-sized slot beneath the dashboard, twin cupholders, a big storage bin beneath the armrest, a two-tier glovebox, and spacious door pockets.
Rear passengers are handled to acceptable quantities of legroom and headroom, however the HiLux shouldn’t be a category chief. As is the case in all of the dual-cab utes well-liked in Australia, it will also be fairly a bouncy, uncomfortable place to spend time with no load within the tray.
Air vents characteristic again there for teenagers (or apprentices) on sizzling days, as does a fold-down central armrest. The door trims are residence to bottle holders as effectively.
A pair of ISOFIX factors characteristic on the outboard rear seats, and there’s a trio of prime tether factors for youngster seats. In case you are becoming a baby seat, it’s fairly fiddly to entry the highest tether anchor level – as is the case in all dual-cab utes.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Mannequin | Toyota HiLux SR5+ |
---|---|
Engine | 2.8-litre 4cyl turbo-diesel |
Energy | 150kW |
Torque | 500Nm |
Transmission | 6-speed computerized |
Pushed wheels | 4-wheel drive (2H, 4H, 4L) |
Weight | 2110kg (kerb) |
Gas economic system (declare) | 7.9 litres per 100km |
Gas tank measurement | 80 litres |
Gross car mass | 3050kg |
Gross mixture mass | 5858kg |
Payload | 1000kg |
Braked towing | 3500kg |
To see how the Toyota HiLux compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool.
How does the Toyota HiLux drive?
If you happen to’ve pushed a HiLux within the final 10 years, the way in which the present one behaves received’t be a shock.
It’s not probably the most refined ute on this planet, with a clattery sound on startup and loads of vibrations by way of the steering wheel whenever you push it exhausting, however it does pack sufficient of a punch.
An replace in 2021 caused extra torque (500Nm, up from 450Nm), and it’s noticeable whenever you put your foot down.
Fairly than feeling strained, the HiLux feels muscular within the mid-range – which pays off whenever you’ve a load within the tray, or are towing one thing heavy.
Toyota’s six-speed computerized transmission mightn’t have as many choices because the 10-speeder within the Ford Ranger and its bi-turbo engine, however it makes up for it by being decisive and clever on the transfer.
It’s blissful to carry a taller gear and lean on the mid-range on lighter throttle inputs, and kicks down well when extra efficiency is required. There’s additionally a sequential-style handbook shift choice for management freaks, however it’s greatest left to its personal gadgets for probably the most half.
Toyota made a raft of modifications in 2021 to enhance the HiLux’s journey within the metropolis, together with longer leaf springs spaced additional aside; new spring, damper and bushing charges; and new cabin mounts.
It’s not a featherbed. You may really feel pimply metropolis streets jittering by way of the construction, though they’re higher stored at bay than within the pre-update mannequin, and sharper bumps actually make their presence felt.
At greater speeds, testing on the ex-Holden proving floor at Lang Lang confirmed it will also be fairly bouncy over huge freeway crests and dips at excessive velocity.
With that stated, the engine is quiet at 100km/h, and also you don’t get an excessive amount of wind noise or roar on common roads.
No dual-cab ute is as refined as a passenger automotive or SUV on the street, given the trade-offs inherent in making a automotive able to carrying a tonne within the tray. Whether it is an SUV-like journey you’re after, the HiLux doesn’t go as far to cover its industrial car roots as a few of its rivals.
The place the HiLux does carry out strongly nevertheless is off-road. It has good method and departure angles (29 and 27 levels respectively) and floor clearance (226mm), and in our ute mega take a look at it trucked on by way of all our assessments with out ever breaking an excessive amount of of a sweat.
The four-wheel drive system operates utilizing a chunky dial on the dashboard, and it’s simple sufficient to know the way your automotive is in 4H, 4L, or has the rear differential locked. Toyota’s hill descent management is dependable, and is easy to have interaction.
It’s a disgrace the HiLux can’t run in four-wheel drive on sealed surfaces like a Ranger V6 although, and inexperienced off-road drivers would profit from off-road drive modes to routinely configure the four-wheel drive system, traction management, and rear differential based mostly on the terrain.
What do you get?
HiLux Workmate highlights:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 2-speaker sound system
- Adaptive cruise management
- Computerized headlights
- Air-conditioning
- Energy home windows
- Fabric upholstery
- Vinyl flooring
- Halogen headlights, daytime working lights
- Reversing digicam (Double Cab ute)
- 16-inch wheels (17-inch in Double Cab, 4×4 variants)
HiLux SR provides:
- 4- or 6-speaker sound system (Additional Cab, Double Cab respectively)
- Aspect steps
- Entrance air-conditioned cooler field
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Physique-coloured door handles
HiLux SR5 provides:
- LED headlights, daytime working lights, entrance fog lights
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Entrance, rear parking sensors
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Encompass-view digicam
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Privateness glass
- Twin-zone local weather management air-conditioning
- Rear air vents (Double Cab solely)
- Keyless entry and begin
- Premium shifter and steering wheel
- Carpeted flooring
- Chrome door handles
- Puddle lights
- 18-inch alloy wheels
HiLux SR5+ bundle ($2000) provides:
- Energy driver’s seat
- Heated entrance seats
- Leather-based-accented upholstery
Is the Toyota HiLux protected?
The Toyota HiLux wears a five-star ANCAP ranking for automobiles offered from July 2019 onwards, scoring 96 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 87 per cent for youngster occupants, 88 per cent for weak street customers and 78 per cent for security help.
Customary security gear throughout your complete HiLux vary contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian (day/night time) detection
- Bicycle owner (day) detection
- Excessive-speed adaptive cruise management
- Lane departure warning (w/ brake-based steering help)
- Site visitors signal recognition
HiLux SR5 provides:
- Blind-spot monitoring (dual-cab pickup solely)
- Rear cross-traffic alert (dual-cab pickup solely)
- Entrance and rear parking sensors (pick-up solely)
- Encompass-view digicam (dual-cab pickup solely)
How a lot does the Toyota HiLux value to run?
The Toyota HiLux is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee which covers any Toyota-produced half, panel and accent.
Engine and driveline guarantee may be prolonged by one other two years supplied the car is serviced in accordance with schedule, and the automotive is backed by seven years of emergency help.
Upkeep continues to be required each six months or 10,000 kilometres, shorter than the standard 12 month/15,000km intervals supplied by most rivals.
Service pricing is capped between $245 and $290 per visit for the first six visits, covering three years or 60,000km.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota HiLux
The Toyota HiLux stays a stable work ute, however it’s not the very best dual-cab ute on the market if you wish to use your ute in lieu of a household SUV or sedan.
Updates in 2021 caused a greater journey, extra punch, and extra up-to-date inside know-how, however the brand new Ford Ranger places high-specification variations of the HiLux within the shade.
The very fact upkeep continues to be required each six months or 10,000km as an alternative of yearly like its rivals is a knock, too.
That doesn’t imply the Toyota is totally with out advantage.
Toyota’s sprawling vendor community is reassuring for those who’re planning to take your ute deep into the wilderness or need to carry the household round Australia with a caravan, and the vary of equipment on supply stays a drawcard.
The replace coming quickly to Australian dealerships will little question deliver a worth rise, however it’ll additionally deliver a extra environment friendly engine choice and some selection inside upgrades.
We’d be ready to see the modifications in particular person earlier than signing on the dotted line for a high-end HiLux.
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