Toyota launches revamped Aussie HiLux
Australia's favourite ute has undergone its biggest transformation in years, but not everyone will be happy.
The most Australian Toyota HiLux ever is here.
Japan’s biggest brand has launched a heavily revamped “new generation” model, which debuts an entirely new look at the front and rear ends courtesy of Toyota’s local design team, and a massively overhauled interior design, too – in large part the result of Aussie customer feedback.
The middle bit of this ute – the cockpit, roof, doors and glass – all remain the same as before, meaning the new Lux still feels more cramped inside than many of its rivals despite its striking new appearance. It has the same wheelbase and track width as before, too.
At least it’s a much more modern and, largely, more comfortable place to sit. All models score a 12.3-inch touchscreen media system, and drivers don’t get any instrument cluster dials anymore – there’s either a 7.0- or 12.3-inch screen in the binnacle, depending on the grade. Both are better than the predecessor – and thankfully there are still physical controls for climate settings, by way of old-school dials in the work-spec models, and buttons in the upper grades.
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Low grade versions still feel cheaper. I sat in a Workmate single-cab, and with the tech upgrade the basic controls, hard-wearing materials and non-height-adjustable seat felt strangely out of step.
By comparison, the Rogue and SR5 models I sat in felt fitted and kitted to a much more up-market level, as you’d expect – though the cloth seat trim in the SR5 pre-prod model I drove was a surprise.
There has been rethought cabin storage, with cup-holders near the vents, better loose item management between the seats, and reshaped door skins. Back seat space is still a bit tight compared to some others, and, weirdly, the brand has stuck with the very hard overhead grab handles.
The internal tub dimensions haven’t changed, but the sheet metal on ute variants is new, and includes a rear side-step-in point, a la Ranger, to make access easier. Still no adjustable tie-down railings, and on the models I drove, no power outlets in the cargo zone, either.
At the other end is a wholly new look – under the design theme Cyber Sumo – but while some grades get stylish new LED daytime running lights and full LED lighting, cheaper versions stick with outdated halogen DRLS and blinkers.
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Under the reshaped bonnet are carryover engine options. The 2.7-litre petrol in the Workmate and the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel in Workmate and SR models have been axed, with all models now running a 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel, familiar from the last version.
It has 150kW and 500Nm for all versions, though SR dual-cab auto and higher have 48-volt ‘V-Active’ mild-hybrid tech. The gearbox is a carryover six-speed auto for the majority of models, but there are still manuals on offer. Toyota’s pre-production launch program at the Australian Automotive Research Centre offered the chance to put a few different new-gen HiLux models through a mix of scenarios, from “highway” driving at 100km/h to slower, curlier roads, and the changes were noticeable.
For this update the brand has introduced two different suspension tunes, with SR5, Rogue and Rugged-X models adopting a more comfort-oriented leaf-spring set up, while Workmate and SR have a heavy duty set up.
The Workmate still feels work-focused and quite rigid, while the Rogue I tested felt significantly more subtle than before (I can say that with confidence, having driven a current HiLux to the event).
The steering is arguably the biggest change, though. There’s a new electric power assisted system that replaces the hydraulic set up, and that makes it decidedly more urban-friendly. It’s lighter, and makes the whole ute feel nimbler and easier to live with.
On that topic, there’s better noise insulation and far less vibration through the body and the drivetrain.
Off-roaders, though, might hate that change, because the HiLux has always been ultra-communicative in rough terrain, and this one isn’t quite as easy to judge in terms of physical feedback. Negating that (to a degree) is a surround-view camera in some grades, which makes it much easier to know where you’re pointing, and there’s even a view that allows you to see where you rear wheels will end up.
The traction control system has been reworked, with finer management of hill descent and better judgment for climbing.
verdict
4 Stars
The first impressions are very strong for this revamped ute.
Originally published as Toyota launches revamped Aussie HiLux
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