Toyota HiLux Rugged X 2018 Review

Fitting backdrop
Pomp and circumstance don’t have much bearing in the South Australian town of Parachilna, located in the stunning Flinders Ranges – especially when it comes to utes.

Out here, where the air is dry and the flies plentiful, locals are more worried about durability than a special sticker pack. So in isolation you’d question Toyota’s decision to use the remote outpost as a location for its launch of three new HiLux models – the Rugged, Rugged X and Rogue.

“I own a HiLux SR5, and I like it because it hasn’t let me down,” says Lachie, the publican at the local Prairie Hotel.

On the surface, Toyota’s latest trio of new HiLux models appear much at odds with a town like Parachilna – three mechanically-identical dual-cab 4x4 models bearing new badges, trims and some additional equipment, each carrying a healthy pricing premium.

However, Toyota is eager to prove the mettle of its metal in one of the toughest environments imaginable. Specifically, to blokes like Lachie, that each of new HiLux model is more than meets the eye.

Cue this week’s national launch.

What do you get?
The new models are full-time additions to the Toyota line-up, having been through an extensive design and engineering program that was done primarily through an Australian development team. This included testing at locations not that dissimilar to Parachilna’s dusty off-road tracks.

Toyota has committed to a new associated assembly line in Port Melbourne that will employ 38 people, fitting the required bespoke parts to 6000 Thailand-produced HiLuxs annually.

The entry point into the new trio is the Rugged variant, priced at $54,990 plus on-road costs (plus $2000 for the automatic version). Our pricing story has the full price/spec rundown, but essentially the Rugged is based on the SR model and adds a bulbar and underbody protection to suit the needs of country buyers.

Next in the line-up is the auto-only Rogue ($61,690 plus ORCs), which treads a decidedly more lifestyle-driven path.

It builds on the recreational feel of the SR5 with extra features including a revised trapezoidal grille (also shared with Rugged and Rugged X), new exterior trim colours and a new lockable hard lid that integrates with a sports bar. Of particular note is a new layer of marine-grade carpet that lines its tray – again, another recreational-based piece of spec.

At the top of the tree resides the Rugged X, at the same $61,690 (plus $2000 for the auto). The changes on the Rugged X begin with a fully integrated front bar made from high-tensile steel and fashioned to maximise approach and departure angles. The bar also integrates an extended LED lighting strip.

Underneath resides a 5mm-thick high-strength alloy bash plate that is winch-compatible, offering off-road recovery hooks that are rated to 8000kg. To compensate for the added 207kg mostly concentrated over the front, Toyota has introduced new front spring rates.

The Rugged X wears 17-inch alloy wheels, surrounded by moulded wheel-arches. Further back lives new heavy-duty steel side steps that have been tested extensively off-road.

At the rear sits a four-piece sports bar that can hold up to 75kg of vertical mass or assist with tying down a 200kg load in the tray. A heavy-duty rear bar with more recovery points can be found at the rear.

Just as Ford has done with the Ranger Wildtrak and Holden with the Colorado Z71, the HiLux trio features no mechanical upgrades, which means a carry-over 130kW 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine mated to a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.

As with all HiLux models, in manual form there is 430Nm of torque on offer, while the automatic adds an additional 20Nm. The transmission choice also forces a split in the HiLux’s official braked towing capacity, which is rated at 3200kg for the automatic and 3500kg for the manual.

On the safety front, the HiLux continues with the same five-star ANCAP safety rating it was awarded in 2015, via a loophole. If any of the trio were tested this year, their ANCAP sores would be lower due to the absence of autonomous emergency braking.

Servicing is also seemingly set in the past, thanks to relatively frequent six-month/10,000km intervals. Toyota offers a capped-price servicing program, but clearly some things never change.

Familiar feel
Unlike the reworked exterior, which it must be said vastly improves the appearance of the popular HiLux dual-cab by adding some noticeable muscle and design flair, the HiLux isn’t all that different inside.

Jumping behind the wheel of any of the three new HiLux models feels uncannily familiar; it’s a modern and largely comfortable office that can handle the rigours of the tradie brigade during the week.

Perforated leather seats, a new instrument cluster design and black roof lining headline the major changes over the SR5 model.

The cabin bears adequate incidental storage points and comfortable seats, especially if you’re in the front row. Thankfully, rear air-vents have also been fitted for the bleachers, bolstering the HiLux’s family appeal.

The carry-over theme also presents some familiar issues, like a solitary USB point across the HiLux’s five-seat cabin, and a dinky infotainment screen that is difficult to navigate and misses out on decent phone mirroring software like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

There is no digital speedo either -- a huge omission in today’s speed camera-crazy age.

Torture test
Like the cabin, this latest HiLux triumvirate doesn’t deviate too far from the regular dual-cab HiLux on the road.

Even with the aforementioned pomp and circumstance in mind, you’re still getting the same ladder frame chassis, leaf spring rear and agricultural 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, plus an added 207kg to contend with in the case of the Rugged X.

Pressing the starter button invokes a truck-like turn of the starter motor, which quickly erupts the engine into its truck-like, off-beat diesel idle.

The HiLux’s heavy-duty premise (its origins are that of a work ute, after all) is telegraphed by relatively heavy hydraulic steering that isn’t immune to being upset by mid-corner bumps, a busy and at times unruly unladen ride, and an engine that lacks the in-gear acceleration of its chief rivals.

Soon enough, the HiLux manages to balance gruff with proficiency; the sharpness in the rear is ironed out with speed, road noise and wind noise are well blocked out and the diesel engine settles into a rhythm.

At no point does the HiLux feel as though it is over-powered and the engine’s modest outputs are best extracted by a downshift and a heavy dose of revs – usually accompanied by a raucous diesel soundtrack and hefty fuel use.

Overall, we managed 12.0L/100km over an extensive drive route that included off-road tracks and straight-line highway.

We didn’t get a chance to sample the latest models with a load on board or in tow, but you can rest assured the HiLux matches its most direct competitors on both counts.

However, we can’t help but admonish the absence of rear disc brakes, which would vastly improve braking performance with boat or caravan in tow.

What the new HiLux trio did showcase at the launch was off-road prowess. Considerable off-road prowess.

With low-range and high-range ratios, a rear differential lock and an enhanced cornering angle now approaching 50 degrees, the HiLux revels in the dry creek beds, rocky outcrops and steep climbs of the Flinders Ranges.

Of particular note is the added underbody protection and recovery hooks, which genuinely enhance the ute’s off-road suitability and provide added re-assurance.

In fact, Toyota was so convinced by its ‘rock rail’ side-step system that it allowed us to deliberately crash the car over a large rock. The big boulder came off second best.

Another boon in the Rugged X occurs during night driving. Its integrated strip of LED lights illuminate the road ahead superbly and, because the strip is not an aftermarket after-thought, it shines exactly where you want it to on the road ahead.

Fortuitously, the bumpy on-road ride and slow steering does translate wheel on the dirt, the HiLux blending its attributes to make a cohesive and convincing off-road package. And that’s even considering the overzealous but prudent stability control system.

Like a typical Prarie Hotel regular, the HiLux Rugged, Rugged X and Rogue are not without their quirks; namely, ageing interior details and an engine that is beginning to feel off the pace.

However, the added off-road amenity and revised styling give the new HiLux hero models added appeal over the SR and SR5 variants on which they are based.

In many respects, the Rugged X in particular is well tailored to the rigours of Australian ownership, and it might just take the cake as the best HiLux offering yet. Sticker pack and all.

How much does the 2018 Toyota HiLux Rugged cost?
Price: $54,990 (Rugged), $61,690 (Rogue), $61,690 (Rugged X) plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 130kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9-8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 220-226g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP