Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux is a mid-size pickup that’s known for being almost indestructible as it continues to be used in the harshest environment the world over.

Just like in the Philippines, the Hilux is regarded as one of the most popular candidates in its segment. It’s a reliable and tough workhorse suited for daily use that’s also perfect for taking the family on weekend adventure trips.

More so with the current generation Toyota Hilux that’s better than ever with modern rugged looks, powerful powerplants, heavy duty capacity with comfortable interior appointments.

History

The first generation Toyota Hilux came out in 1968. Since then, the pickup has undergone numerous generations.

Currently, the Hilux is now on its eighth generation which was launched in 2015. Utilizing Toyota’s “Keen Look” design, its development was led by Chief Engineer Hiroki Nakajima with Toyota President and CEO Akio Toyoda personally seeing to it that the Hilux adheres to its new development path.

The current eighth generation Toyota Hilux continues to bring with its modern technology and the reputation of a tough and reliable pickup.

Just a couple of years ago, the Hilux got a refresh featuring an improved look and added features.

Launched on September 12, 2020, it featured notable exterior and interior features. The reliable 2.8-liter and 2.4-liter turbo diesel powerplants were retained which could either be paired with a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.

Price and Variant

The Toyota Hilux price in the Philippines starts at ₱843,000 for the entry-level 2.4 M/T, while the top-of-the-line Toyota Hilux GR Sport 2.8 4x4 AT is priced at ₱1,985,000. Toyota Hilux has several variants at different prices. The following is a price list of all variants in 2022:

Variant	Price
Toyota Hilux 2.4 Cab & Chassis 4x2 MT	₱843,000
Toyota Hilux Cargo 2.4 4x2 MT	₱946,000
Toyota Hilux J 2.4 4x2 MT	₱952,000
Toyota Hilux FX w/o Rear AC 2.4 4x2 MT	₱1,029,000
Toyota Hilux FX w/ Rear AC 2.4 4x2 MT	₱1,067,000
Toyota Hilux E 2.4 4x2 MT	₱1,135,000
Toyota Hilux J 2.4 4x4 MT	₱1,148,000
Toyota Hilux G 2.4 4x2 MT	₱1,250,000
Toyota Hilux G 2.4 4x2 AT	₱1,325,000
Toyota Hilux Conquest 2.4 4x2 MT	₱1,420,000
Toyota Hilux Conquest 2.4 4x2 AT	₱1,495,000
Toyota Hilux Conquest 2.8 4x4 MT	₱1,800,000
Toyota Hilux Conquest 2.8 4x4 AT	₱1,875,000
Toyota Hilux GR Sport 2.8 4x4 AT	₱1,985,000

The exterior of the Toyota Hilux received a new front fascia that’s highlighted by a black front grille that extends to the bottom with minimal chrome strips and the Toyota logo located in the middle.

To integrate a rugged off road look, a skid plate in silver finish is located at the bottom of the bumper.

It also comes with new LED headlights, tail lamps, and fog lamps to make nighttime driving safer.

The Hilux has eight color options to choose from including the optional Emotional Red.

Dimensions

The Toyota Hilux measures 5,325 mm long, 1,900 mm wide, 1,845 mm high with a wheelbase of 3,085 mm.

Lighting

The top variant Hilux gets automatic LED projector headlights, LED daytime running lights, and LED front fog lights. Other variants get automatic halogen reflector headlights with bulb-type daytime running lights.

Wheels

Most of the variants including the top model Hilux come with 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 265/60R18 Highway Terrain (H/T) tires.

Space and Practicality

The Toyota Hilux offers a spacious cabin that can comfortably accommodate four passengers. The rear seats feature a 60/40 split fold capability that’s perfect for stowing away stuff inside the cabin. The rear seat cushion folds up, thereby creating additional cargo space to load even tall items. As to be expected, there are numerous cupholders and compartments for the passengers’ convenience.

Cargo Bed

The cargo bed of the Toyota Hilux has a capacity of 435 liters which is at par with other pickups in its segment.

Safety Features

Toyota managed to place a premium when it comes to the safety features of the Hilux. As proof, even standard variants come with airbags. However, the top variant gets a total of 7 airbags. Other safety features include ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, Stability Control, and Speed sensing door locks.

Comfort Features

The Toyota Hilux comes with comfortable and supportive seats in leather upholstery on the top level variants. For added comfort, the dual control climate system makes sure the cabin stays cool all the time. An 8-inch infotainment system comes with 6 speakers to ensure a pleasant and comfortable drive. Other convenient features found on the Hilux include cruise control, push-start system and a smart keyless entry.

Infotainment Features

For entertainment, the Toyota Hilux now comes with an 8-inch infotainment system that comes with 6-speakers. The head unit also features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. This is augmented with audio steering controls for ease of operation.

Engine

The Toyota Hilux engine offers two choices of powerplants, the  2.4 or 2.8-liter turbocharged diesel engines. The 2.4-liter engine is capable of 147 bhp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The larger 2.8-liter engine does 174 bhp and 310/332 lb-ft of torque.

Transmission

The Transmission choices for the Toyota Hilux include a 6-speed Automatic or a 6-speed Manual.

Drivetrain

The Four-Wheel Drive Toyota Hilux features a part-time 4WD system with Automatic Disconnecting Differential (ADD).

Suspension

The underpinnings of the Toyota Hilux continue to be built around Toyota’s IMV Platform which is similar to what the Fortuner and Innova utilize. The Hilux comes with an independent double-wishbone suspension up front and a rigid axle with leaf springs at the rear.

Riding & Control

In order to provide comfort to the driver, the Toyota Hilux is equipped with a double whisbone type front suspension and a leaf spring rigid axle rear suspension. This type of suspension is very popular and is widely used by car type vehicle trucks or pick ups. With these two suspensions, Hilux will provide comfort and safety when driving on rough terrain. In addition, the Toyota Hilux is also designed to have a fairly high ground clearance or distance to the ground, so that this car can be relied on to bulldoze terrain with uneven land contours or water fields that have a certain depth.

Steering and Handling

The steering response of the Hilux is predictable and the hydraulic assisted power steering is not that heavy. Despite having a remarkable turning radius, its overall length makes it tricky when negotiating tight turns.

Sound Proofing

The Hilux's NVH levels are acceptable, but it could be improved upon as engine noise is evident during high rpm’s.

Passenger Comfort

Overall ride quality is pretty much what could be expected from a pickup although Toyota has tweaked it to offer a balance between comfort and load carrying capacity.

The fuel consumption of the Toyota Hilux in city driving is 8 km/L while it gets 16 km/L in highway driving

It's not hard to see why the Toyota Hilux continues to be so popular - it has built a solid reputation for reliability and durability over the years. What’s more, it has constantly evolved to meet the demands of a changing market with improved looks and technological upgrades. Desirable traits that make up an ideal modern day workhorse and just about anything else.