Although the Toyota Hilux has forged a reputation as something that cannot be killed, a little luxury inside still plays well with buyers and the latest car serves up a more refined feel. The styling changes also give it a more up market look yet prices have remained reasonable.
The two engines available have been carried over largely unchanged. Both are direct injection common-rail diesel units and comprise a 2.5-litre D-4D engine and a 3.0-litre D-4D unit. The 3.0-litre effort produces 169bhp and a maximum torque of 253lb/ft all the way through from 1,400rpm to 3,400rpm. The 0-62mph dash is reached in 12 seconds on the way to a top speed of around 106mph. One area where the engines have been tweaked a little is in terms of emissions. The CO emissions are 203g/km and it will return 36.7mpg on the combined cycle.
The 2.5-litre unit has 142bhp and can lumber from zero to 62mph in 13.5 seconds. It has a top speed of 103mph and a maximum torque of 253lb/ft at 2,000rpm. This engine achieves 194g/km emissions and narrowly pips the 3.0-litre unit when it comes to fuel economy, registering a combined figure of 38.7mpg. It will be more than adequate for most applications.
The Toyota Hilux has always scored well with those who need a tough pick-up that drives better than the class norm. Rival manufacturers have aped this formula and added a more refined feel to their wares and the Hilux felt as if it was falling off the pace a little. The latest round of revisions give the big pick-up the sort of classy feel that you’d expect from Toyota, building in a plusher interior and a front end that borrows from the Land Cruiser.
That it can do this while retaining the appeal to lifestyle drivers who need a vehicle with good hauling capabilities and easy access speaks volumes about the essential rightness of the car’s engineering. Both 2.5 and 3.0-litre diesel engines have a lot to be said for them. With three different body styles and three trim levels to choose from, there should be enough variation in the range to suit most on and off-road requirements. The Hilux offers high levels of comfort and equipment, bomb-proof engineering and remains relatively cheap to run. Expect this one to run and run.