New Toyota HiLux will be ‘unbeatable’

The Toyota HiLux may not be unbreakable but the upgraded version of Australia’s top-selling vehicle will be unbeatable, according to one of Toyota Australia’s most senior executives.

Toyota Australia’s vice president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley says the facelifted Toyota HiLux will continue to reign supreme as Australia’s favourite ute for the foreseeable future – even in the face of significant concerns.

The 2021 Toyota HiLux will arrive in late August, bringing a tougher new front-end design, improved technology and equipment levels, reworked suspension and more grunt from its 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine.

The biggest upgrade for the current Toyota HiLux since its launch in 2015 is designed to bolster its position in the face of all-new competitors including the Isuzu D-MAX and Mazda BT-50 later this year and the new Ford Ranger next year.

But the popular Toyota ute must jump multiple hurdles, including expected price increases across the board and the potential for stocks of the existing model to be exhausted before its replacement arrives.

Current Toyota HiLux stock levels are dwindling rapidly due to coronavirus-related supply interruptions from the Thai factory, and for the first time in memory the HiLux has disappeared from the special offers page on Toyota Australia’s public website.

Strong sales prior to that – in part due to generous discounts, the federal government’s instant asset write-off tax break and traditional end-of-financial-year demand for commercial vehicles – have resulted in low stock levels of many HiLux models for some dealers.

“HiLux is currently in runout in anticipation of the introduction of the all new HiLux model, due to go on sale in late August,” said a Toyota Australia spokesman.

“We are excited to introduce this new model which will be greatly improved and continue to build on every key strength that has made it the number one selling vehicle in Australia.

“Sales of the runout model have also been very successful and we anticipate that there will be limited stock available when the new model arrives in late August.

“We encourage all customers to contact their local dealer for more detailed information about availability of stock in their area, as this will vary from region to region.”

Despite that, the Toyota HiLux looks set to remain Australia’s top-selling vehicle for a fifth consecutive year (although Ford has sold more 4x4 Rangers), so we asked Toyota’s sales boss if he was confident the HiLux would maintain its number one sales position in 2020 and beyond.

“Yes I am,” said Hanley.

“The reason I am is because we have a really strong offering in the 4x2 segment and that won’t change in the future.

“Also, what we’re seeing is a big shift to higher grade utes as well. HiLux SR5 and Rugged X – we have two good value utes in that [high-spec] segment.

“So yeah, I think HiLux will continue to perform well in the Australian market,” said Hanley.

The refreshed Toyota HiLux coming in August gets a bucket-load of new features, including a beefed-up infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a digital speedo and bi-LED headlights and LED tail-lights on top-spec models, plus revised suspension with an improved rear leaf-spring design, retuned shock absorbers and new bushings.

It also gets an updated version of the brand’s problematic 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (which is currently under the microscope in a class-action filed against Toyota), which increases its power and torque by a significant 20kW and 50Nm to 150kW/500Nm.

This has allowed an increase in towing capacity on all models to 3500kg, although HiLux 4x4 manual variants continue to produce just 420Nm.

The new engine will also bring fuel consumption reductions of around 10 per cent, which should see a combined fuel average of around 7.5L/100km, but it remains to be seen whether the diesel particulate filter problem that prompted the class-action will be fixed or if the manual DPF ‘burnoff’ switch will return.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for the HiLux will be its rivals – in particular the all-new version of its arch-rival, the Ranger, which is set to offer V6 petrol and diesel power, plus loads of new tech and improved capability.

The Toyota HiLux will be hard to beat with strong fleet sales in the mining and agricultural sectors, but the flurry of activity in the local ute market over the next 18 months will provide buyers a greater choice of safer, higher-tech, more efficient and more refined new models with greater capability.

Toyota’s Australia’s sales and marketing chief acknowledged the HiLux’s already-strong competition will improve further, and said the Japanese car-maker would not rest on its laurels.

“It’s healthy to have strong competition. HiLux has always performed extremely well. But we never take leadership in that segment for granted,” said Hanley.

“It’s always been a really tough segment to win over many years, and the competition has only got tougher in the last few years.”