Toyota HiLux 2018 Review

The 2018 Toyota HiLux Rugged X and HiLux Rogue have arrived at an interesting time. Forget your humble knockabout work hacks, this ultra-competitive and major slice of our automotive pie is bracing itself for a 'battle royale' at the top end of town, the likes of which we’ve never seen.

Toyota is hoping its Y-pronged strategy, comprising the top-tier Rugged X and Rogue together with the lower-spec Rugged, will provide an extra boost for HiLux 4x4 sales.

Those sales have been roughly matched by those of Ford’s Ranger in recent times, while the market is also about to receive new premium models like Ford’s Ranger Raptor and Mercedes-Benz's V6-powered X350d X-Class.

That's alongside existing up-spec threats like Volkswagen's V6-powered Amarok and the Holden ‘by HSV’ Colorado Sportscat and Sportscat+. Heck, even RAM is now targeting the mainstream ute market, with its keenly priced up-size utility, the RAM 1500, offering V8 power from just $79,500 drive away.

The ‘unbreakable’ HiLux, for so long the untouchable ruler of the Aussie ute landscape, is staring down fresh-faced assailants on all sides…

The powerplant and chassis are unchanged, Toyota’s 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel still pumping out peak figures of 130kW/450Nm in six-speed auto form (420Nm for the six-speed manual), while the plot is underpinned by a traditional ladder frame. The Rogue is available only as an auto, while both transmissions are available for the Rugged X (add $2000 for the auto).

Let's start with the Rugged X, which is billed as the most off-road-capable HiLux ever. Toyota's thinking here is based on research indicating that many HiLux SR5 buyers go on to add, on average, a couple of thousand dollars-worth of accessories. Why not save them some hassle and produce a model that has several big-ticket items already fitted?

To that end, it comes with a heavy-duty steel bar with LED light bar, a high-tensile 5mm-thick alloy bashplate and recovery points front and rear, the latter for use with 8000kg-rated snatch straps or a 9000kg-rated winch. There are two more recovery points at the rear, part of a tow-bar assembly with integrated step, while the Rugged X also benefits from side ‘rock rails’, a snorkel and spread-beam driving lights.

The Rugged X comes with a tow-bar tongue and a seven-pin flat trailer plug, so it’s ready to tow, and there are a variety of exterior detail touches – new 17-inch alloys, black wheel arches and side mouldings, a new grille, Rugged X decals, gloss black door handles and mirror caps, and black taillight surrounds.

The attention continues inside with perforated and leather-accented seating, front seat heating, refreshed instrumentation, a black headlining, metallic black trim, and rubber floor mats.

Aussie input
The Rugged X was designed and engineered right here in Australia, and is a product of Toyota Australia’s own Melbourne-based product planning and development division.

The driveline and chassis remain unaltered but the front suspension has uprated springs to cope with the additional weight of the steel bulbar (which is also fully ADR, airbag and winch compatible, by the way), and the approach and departure angles vary slightly from the Rogue.

The Rugged X lays claim to 28 and 21 degrees respectively (two less than the Rogue up front and one more at the rear), and a claimed ground clearance of 251mm (compared 216mm in the Rogue).

The Rugged X rolls on variant-specific 17-inch alloy rims shod with Dunlop Grandtrek AT tyres in a 265/65 format, as opposed to the Rogue with its 18-inch rims (and 265/60 Bridgestone Dueler HT rubber)

We know from countless previous tests that the HiLux is a handy tool off-road, and the Rugged X simply delivers more of a good thing. With decent ground clearance, a dual-range transfer case and a locking rear differential, it's got the credentials for serious off-road ability. If heading bush is a priority, buying a HiLux already fitted with a decent bulbar, lighting, sturdy side steps, a snorkel and recovery points makes sense – it's just less work and bother for the buyer after purchase.

As for the ride itself, it's the HiLux we already know – which is to say it's thoroughly competent, even if the engine is still fairly noisy under load and the performance is less than scintillating. Acceleration is adequate, if modest, and there's a degree of lag when you plant your right foot. It gets the job done, and is capable if unspectacular in the manner in which it goes about its business.

The leaf-spring rear delivers a jittery ride around town without a decent load, as you'd expect of what is, after all, a light commercial vehicle, and the steering and general manoeuvrability are par for the course. Those accustomed to passenger cars will find the Rugged X a big bus to guide around your average multi-storey car park, but not unduly so for this class of vehicle.

The Rogue's interior has been lifted in a similar manner to the Rugged X, but it comes with carpets instead of rubber floor mats, while outside it's fitted with standard side steps instead of the sturdier rock rails.

The Rogue is a product of collaboration between boffins both here in Australia and in Thailand, where the HiLux is built.

It's also ready to tow, featuring a tow tongue and a seven-pin flat trailer plug. However, like the Rugged X, buyers will have to fit their own electronic brake controller.

Both come with a black sports bar with multiple tie-down points, and the Rugged X has a plastic tub liner rather than the Rogue's marine carpet.

Like the SR5-grade HiLux on which these two are based, there are numerous features to help smooth over the commercial underpinnings, including a 7.0-inch touchscreen with integrated satellite navigation, DAB+ radio, Bluetooth streaming and voice commands, although we found the latter finicky to use and slow in operation.

Both have five-star ANCAP safety ratings but even for a mid-sixties, on-the-road outlay – and for what will often be pressed into duty as family transport – you still won't find features like adaptive (radar) cruise control, lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring or rear curtain airbags.

The recently introduced Mercedes-Benz X-Class range boasts AEB, LDW and seven airbags as standard while Ford's top-spec Ranger Wildtrak scores radar cruise, forward collision alert, LDW, and five airbags. Both also come with tyre-pressure monitoring systems.

Let's hope other manufacturers follow suit with their pick-up models, at the very least where dual-cabs are concerned…

Servicing? Toyota Australia offers a capped-price servicing scheme that covers each of the first six services at $240 apiece, over the first three years or 100,000km (whichever comes first). However, service intervals are pegged at every six months or 10,000km (again, whichever comes first), and the warranty provides coverage for three years or 100,000km.

While the HiLux's capped-price scheme offers decent value, the rest is starting to look a bit limited, especially when models like the new X-Class offer double the service interval and a three-year/200,000km warranty.

How much does the 2018 Toyota HiLux Rugged X cost?
Price: $63,690 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 130kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined); 10.2L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 210g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2015)

How much does the 2018 Toyota HiLux Rogue cost?
Price: $61,690 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 130kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined); 10.2L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 210g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2015)