Toyota HiLux – What you need to know

The current eighth-generation Toyota HiLux has been around since 2015, and while an all-new model is due around mid-decade, the venerable ute remains one of Australia’s most popular vehicles.

That has everything to do with constant updates and an enviable reputation for reliability, which goes hand-in-hand with the ‘unbreakable’ brand image that still sticks with the HiLux.

There’s also an overwhelming choice of model variants across the 2023 Toyota HiLux range – 27 at last count, although that’ll be changing later in 2023 when the flagship HiLux GR Sport arrives.

But we’re here to help, working through the line-up to help you choose the best HiLux for you.

The big sellers are dual-cabs with 4x4 underpinnings, but the HiLux caters for all needs and budgets with single-cab and extra-cab body styles, pick-up and cab-chassis rear-ends, diesel and petrol engine options, manual and auto transmission, 4x2 and 4x4 drivelines and four model grades: Workmate, SR, SR5 and Rogue.

Within each grade are several variants, kicking off with the cheapie of the lot, the 2.7-litre petrol-engined Toyota HiLux Workmate Single Cab Chassis with manual transmission.

You can go all the way up to the HiLux Rogue Double Cab Pick-Up with 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine (with auto), which starts at $70,200 plus on-road costs, but let’s start at the other end, where getting behind the wheel of the Workmate Single Cab Chassis will cost you $25,375 plus ORCs.

It has the following standard kit:

Toyota HiLux options

Premium paint in mica, pearl or metallic adds $675 for all Toyota HiLux models.

There’s a steel wheel option on the 4x4 SR5 Double Cab Chassis costing $600, along with a premium interior option worth $2500. The latter is also available for the same price on the 4x4 SR5 Double Cab Pick-Up.

Toyota HiLux safety and driver assistance

Although the eighth-generation Toyota HiLux has been around since 2015, the model range was reassessed under the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) in 2019 and received an upgraded maximum five-star safety rating.

All Toyota HiLux models come with Toyota’s Safety Sense suite with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and daylight cyclist detection, as well as lane departure alert, speed sign recognition, high-speed active cruise control and a pre-collision safety system.

Also standard is a reversing camera (excluding cab-chassis models), ABS brakes, seven airbags (on dual-cabs), stability and traction control systems, hill start assist, brake assist and electronic brake force distribution.

Move up to the HiLux SR to get a rear diff lock for lessening tricky off-road situations and, in the case of the 4x4 Double Cab Pick-Up, auto downhill assist control.

Another step up to the HiLux SR5 in Double Cab or Extra Cab models gains a 360-degree camera to see what’s around the vehicle, rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring.

If you want the lot, make a beeline for the Toyota HiLux Rogue that adds trailer sway control and parking sensors front and back.

Toyota HiLux infotainment

An 8.0-inch colour touch-screen is another range-wide feature for the Toyota HiLux, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port and a roof-mounted antenna.

In the Workmate and SR Single Cab variants there are two speakers for the audio system. This increases to four in the SR and SR5 Extra Cab models, six in the SR5 Double Cab and nine in the flagship Rogue. 

Also standard on all models is Toyota Connected Services that provides three years’ complimentary access to the myToyota app and can track your vehicle if stolen and make a call to emergency services in the event of an airbag deploying during a collision.

Should you want satellite navigation not through your smartphone, you’ll have to stump up for the SR5 that also has a DAB+ digital radio.

Toyota HiLux comfort and convenience

While it’s primarily a workhorse, the Toyota HiLux Workmate – available in Single Cab, Extra Cab and Double Cab guise – still has its comforts and conveniences like automatic headlights, power windows/mirrors, vinyl floor covering, manual air-con, steering wheel-mounted audio and phone controls, a 12-volt power outlet and in-dash cup holders.

Heavy-duty suspension and underbody pack comes standard on all 4x4 variants and all 4x2 Hi-Rider models.

For higher-grade seats with premium seat fabric, slip into the HiLux SR, which also features an air-conditioned cooler box in the front, rear seat cup holders and side steps for easier access.

The HiLux SR also gives you variable intermittent wipers and selectable drive modes.

Is climate-control air-conditioning with rear vents a deal-maker? The entree to this feature is with a HiLux SR5 in 4x2 Double Cab or 4x4 Extra Cab. These variants come with carpet under your feet, a premium steering wheel/gear shifter, keyless entry, push-button start/stop, puddle lamps, chrome interior door handles and a handy 220-volt accessory socket.

Interested in having privacy glass? Tinted windows are great to keep out glare and prying eyes from seeing in and the SR5 is the cheapest way of nabbing this feature.

Are leather seats a must? Black perforated heated leather-accented seats with eight-way power adjustment for the driver dial up the lux factor, but you must go for the HiLux Rogue.

The Rogue also has carpet floor mats, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and blue illumination for the door trims and instrument dials.

Outside, the HiLux Workmate rides on 16-inch wheels and relies on halogen headlights, while the Double Cab Hi-Rider variant gets a body-coloured front bumper.

The HiLux SR matches the body colour with its front bumper and door handles, while also moving up to 17-inch wheels (so too does the Workmate when you specify a turbo-diesel engine).

However, bigger visual changes come with the HiLux SR5 and its chrome step rear bumper, LED self-levelling headlights, LED daytime running lights and front fog lamps. 4x4 SR5 variants also come with chrome door handles.

It’s easy to spot the HiLux Rogue with its wider track and taller stance along with a unique front and bumper. The Rogue also has 18-inch wheels, LED headlights with dark internal accents, dark chrome rear bumper, resin sports bar, wheel-arch mouldings, a marine-grade tub liner, powered cargo tub cover, auto-dimming interior mirror, satin black door handles and retractable door mirrors.

The Rogue tailgate has chrome badging along with a black handle and trim, plus a standard-fit tow ball, tongue and flat seven-pin trailer plug.

Toyota HiLux engine and transmission choices

Let’s start with the 4x2 Toyota HiLux range, which has a 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (122kW/245Nm) in the Single Cab Chassis and Double Cab Pick-Up Workmate models. The petrol engine combines with either a five-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic.

Turbo-diesel variants are also offered in the 4x2 Hi-Rider range. A 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine (110kW/400Nm) is linked to a six-speed manual when ordering a Workmate Single Cab Chassis or a six-speed auto with the Double Cab Pick-Up.

A 2.8-litre turbo-diesel with 150kW and either 420Nm of torque (in six-speed manual) or 500Nm (in six-speed auto) is also available at the top end of the 4x2 Hi-Rider range, paired only with an auto on SR Extra Cab and Double Cab Pick-Up and SR5 Double Cab.

All 4x4 models have a turbo-diesel engine. All Workmate 4x4 models use the 2.4-litre diesel, paired with a manual in the Single Cab Chassis and an auto with Extra and Double Cab Chassis variants. The Workmate Double Cab Pick-Up has the option of either manual or auto.

Every other model uses the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel, all with automatic transmission and a variety with manual. See our table below for full details, but the SR Single/Extra/Double Cab Chassis models have manual/auto, and so does the SR and SR5 Double Cab Pick-Up.

Toyota is limiting the SR5 Extra Cab Pick-Up and Double Cab Chassis to auto-only, while the top-spec Rogue also goes without a manual gearbox option.

Verdict on the Toyota HiLux

While it’s easy to be overawed by the sheer volume of choices in the Toyota HiLux range, your first decisions should be the cabin style, transmission and the driveline you want.

If the budget allows, go for the 4x2 HiLux SR Hi-Rider Double Cab Pick-Up with the diesel and auto.

Here, you get a full-size four-door cabin, the security of the ute body, the meaty 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine and ease of the auto transmission.

And the SR variant comes with a reasonable level of standard kit.

With a few more dollars to fling at my purchase that also gives me the flexibility of venturing deep off-road, negotiating a slimy boat ramp, hauling a caravan or work trailer, the 4x4 configuration is a must-have.

And my pick here is the HiLux SR5 Double Cab Pick-Up, matching the 2.8-litre diesel with auto and 4x4 driveline.

You get plenty of kit and caboodle, without the frills that make it look like a starter in an off-road rally.

How much does the 2023 Toyota HiLux cost?

* Prices exclude on-road costs

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