Toyota Hilux Workmate review: Here’s a deal for you, mate

Joshua Dowling tests the the cheapest HiLux dual-cab 4WD and can’t figure out why you need one with the works.

Toyota HiLux Workmate. Picture: Joshua Dowling

WANT proof the Australian economy is powering? Most buyers of the Toyota HiLux ute are choosing the top-of-the-range SR5 that stretches beyond $60,000 by the time it’s in the traffic.

That’s why there are red hot deals on the HiLux Workmate and SR double cab 4WD models from $41,990 drive-away, up to $6600 off.

Buyers chasing a bit more chrome and some extra creature comforts are overlooking these more affordable models, which are distinguished by love-em-or-hate-em black steel wheels.

Having tested the Workmate, the cheapest HiLux dual-cab 4WD, I can’t figure out why you need one with the works. Especially at the current price, a shade under $42K until the end of June.

The version we tested, the auto at $43,990 drive-away (add $550 for metallic paint), is a big head start on the full RRP of $50,664 drive-away.

Unlike the SR and SR5, with 2.8-litre turbo diesel power, the Workmate has a 2.4-litre turbo diesel but gets the same suspension, underbody protection, upgraded brakes, seven airbags, stability control and rear camera as the dearer models. Towing capability is down only slightly: 3000kg versus 3200kg for the SR and SR5 auto. The Workmate’s payload beats the brethren: 955kg versus 920kg on the SR and 925kg on the SR5.

Toyota HiLux Workmate. Picture: Joshua Dowling

Other differences: the Workmate has a vinyl floor, cloth seats and an auto-up driver’s window. The SR gains (in addition to the 2.8-litre diesel) a painted front bumper, height adjustable driver’s seat and sidestep rails.

The 2.4-litre feels perky — it’s next to impossible to pick the difference from the 2.8.

Significantly, the 2.4 has more torque (400Nm) than the previous HiLux 3.0-litre (343Nm), and not much less than the 2.8 (450Nm).

The extra grunt combined with the six-speed auto gives the Workmate more than enough oomph, although none of these trucks can ever be mistaken for anything other than a workhorse.

Toyota HiLux Workmate. Picture: Joshua Dowling

The 2.4 is a bit noisier than the 2.8 in our experience (in particular there is an induction hissing noise near the driver’s side front fender; Toyota says this is normal).

Economy is impressive. With its 80L fuel tank, theoretical range is 960km — unladen and on the open road rather than stop-start city driving.

The single biggest surprise is how comfortable the Workmate is over bumps thanks to its 17-inch steel wheels and cushy tyres (versus the SR5’s 18s).

Toyota ought to be commended for maintaining the heavy duty capability of its HiLux range but it needs to find a way to make the SR5 feel as plush (comparatively speaking) as the lesser model.

Which to buy? If the budget allows, it may be worth going for the SR ($46,990 drive-away manual, auto adds $2000), a saving of $4300 off the full RRP.

For now, Workmate buyers can laugh all the way to the bank.

AT A GLANCE

TOYOTA HILUX WORKMATE 4WD DUAL CAB ★★★★

PRICE From $41,990 drive-away (until June 30)

SERVICE INTERVAL 6 months/10,000km

CAPPED SERVICING $1080 over 3 years

WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km

SAFETY 7 airbags, ★★★★★

ENGINE 2.4-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 110kW/400Nm

TRANSMISSION 6-speed man, 6-speed auto; RWD/4WD

THIRST 7.3L/100km

SPARE Full-size steel

TOWING 3000kg