Toyota HiLux gets new look for 2024
Having lost the sales race to Ford’s Ranger last year, the Japanese giant is fighting back with a fresh take on its best selling model.
Toyota has unveiled a new-look HiLux ute.
Having lost its place as Australia’s favourite car to the Ford Ranger in 2023, Toyota is set to fight back with fresh looks and new features.
New front-end styling for high-grade models brings a sleeker, car-like front end treatment to Toyota’s most popular model.
Toyota says the revised grille and front bumper for the high-grade SR5 bring “an interlocking design with an octagonal grille, trapezoidal lower section and bold outer bumper”.
Cheaper WorkMate models benefit from a black honeycomb mesh grille to match a new black front bumper.
But the most significant change is under the skin, where 48-volt mild hybrid tech will help customers reduce their fuel bills by up to 10 per cent.
Though some manufacturers would call the boosted electrical system a hybrid, Toyota is happy to play down the tech’s green credentials.
In any case, Toyota Australia’s vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley says the upgrades to the new-look HiLux range make it more compelling than ever.
“Introducing 48-Volt technology on double-cab HiLux models is an exciting step forward, improving fuel efficiency while still providing performance and capability that the HiLux is known for,” he says.
“Combined with dynamic styling and improved specification, the HiLux range has never looked more appealing.”
Toyota has not revealed power or fuel consumption figures for the HiLux, a car that currently makes 150kW and 500Nm in high-grade automatic trim.
Other tech includes improved parking sensors parking sensors for the SR, plus a wireless charging pad and two rear USB-C ports next to the air-conditioning vents for the SR5, Rogue and GR Sport.
The updated HiLux represents a welcome reprieve for Toyota in a tough week.
The manufacturer’s head office shocked customers by announcing it paused production of diesel-powered vehicles including the HiLux and Land Cruiser.
Toyota said an audit of engine performance found irregularities that have “shaken the very foundations of the company”, promising to implement a “a drastic reform of corporate culture”.
Having paused assembly in late January, Toyota says it decided to resume production of affected models from February 12.
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