2021 Toyota HiLux update revealed

The 2021 Toyota HiLux has been officially revealed before its Australian arrival in August.

Sporting a new, more muscular and truck-like front-end design, the midlife makeover for Australia’s most popular new vehicle also brings more power, improved fuel economy and a higher towing capacity than before.

Inside, Toyota’s existing infotainment system has been updated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with a restyled interior and instrument panel.

Visually, the 2021 Toyota HiLux is differentiated via a new frontal treatment "more in keeping with the global Toyota ute/truck family" and punctuated by a large chromed trapezoidal grille and revised headlights with new LED DRL signatures.

Some models also come with LED tail-lights and new wheel designs, while top-spec variants will score bi-LED headlights.

Under the bonnet, the HiLux’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine has been upgraded to deliver 150kW of power (up 20kW) in all models and 500Nm of torque (up 50Nm) for automatic versions.

Manual 4x4 models continue to deliver just 420Nm, but the upgraded engine is likely to bring a fix for the diesel particulate filter problem that prompted a class action again the Japanese brand in Australia.

Toyota responds to DPF issue with 2021 HiLux

As before, the 2021 HiLux will be available in six-speed manual or six-speed automatic forms, but there is no word yet on service intervals, which currently stand at just six months/10,000km.

Meantime, fuel efficiency has been improved by about 10 per cent, according to Toyota, which equates to a combined fuel average of about 7.5L/100km.

Towing capacity for automatic 4x4 HiLux variants – including new double-cab-chassis Workmate and SR5 derivatives – has been upgraded to a maximum of 3500kg to match manual versions.

On 4x2 variants, all diesel automatics are now rated at 2800kg, an increase of up to 300kg.

Toyota has also tweaked the HiLux’s suspension for a more comfortable ride, with revised shock absorber tuning, new bushings and improved leaf-spring design.

In 4x4 models with downhill-assist control, an additional traction control feature when using 2WD mode reroutes torque to assist grip in muddy or grassy conditions on worksites.

Toyota HiLux Rugged X review

The upgraded HiLux range retains its entry-level 2.4-litre turbo-diesel and 2.7-litre petrol four-cylinder engines, and continues to be available with three transmissions, 4x2 and 4x4 layouts, three body styles (single, extra and double cabs), two body configurations (pick-up or cab-chassis) and five equipment levels – Workmate, SR, SR5, Rogue and Rugged X.

Inside, all models have been upgraded with an 8.0-inch touch-screen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SR and higher grades are also equipped with satellite navigation and digital (DAB) radio.

The Toyota HiLux will finally get a digital speedo readout as well, thanks to an updated 4.2-inch multi-information display in the instrument binnacle.

The HiLux facelift will keep the top-selling vehicle fresh as a number of new or updated pick-ups are set to arrive in Australia this year, including all-new Isuzu D-MAX and Mazda BT-50 dual-cabs and a facelifted Nissan Navara., followed from 2021 by an all-new Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok.

Toyota HiLux sales are down at least 20 per cent so far this year, but the Japanese brand's best-seller is still on track to be Australia's favourite new vehicle for the fifth successive year, while the Ranger appears likely to be the nation's top-selling 4x4 ute for the second year running.

Current pricing for the Toyota HiLux ute starts at $21,865 for the Workmate single-cab petrol version and rises to $62,490 for the Rugged X and Rogue 4x4 diesel model grades.

Facelifted versions of the range-topping Rogue and Rugged X variants are yet to appear. Toyota will release more details and pricing information closer to the updated HiLux’s Australian launch in late August.