Toyota slams down tougher HiLux

Just as we reported it would last week, Toyota has revealed a new range-topping version of its popular HiLux ute – Australia’s top-selling new vehicle bar none for the second time in a row last year.

In fact, it has revealed three of them – all based on the top-shelf SR5 4x4 dual-cab, which accounts for 37 per cent of all HiLux sales – dubbed the Rogue, Rugged and Rugged X.

The move is a clear attempt to further cash in on Australia’s love affair with 4x4 twin-cabs, one of the fastest growing sales segments last year, and premium ‘lifestyle’ utes in particular.

Priced from about $55,000, the SR5 dual-cab accounts for 50 per cent of HiLux 4x4 sales, while automatic transmissions are now 60 per cent of sales.

Meantime, despite prices starting beyond $45,000, the all-new Mercedes-Benz X-Class is expected to be a smash hit when it arrives in April, while three-quarters of all Volkswagen Amaroks sold are $55,000-plus V6s and two-thirds of Ford Ranger sales are $55K-plus XLT or Wildtrak models.

Toyota is yet to announce pricing ahead of their introduction in the second quarter of this year, but all three new HiLux variants will be more expensive than the range-topping SR5 ($54,440 manual, plus on-road costs), so expect at least one of them to be the first HiLux priced above $60,000.

The other bad news is that although Toyota claims the new trio of HiLux models will “ramp up its strength, capability and attitude to even greater levels”, there will be no engine or chassis changes.

This is in contrast to Ford’s upcoming Ranger Raptor and Holden’s upcoming Colorado SportsCat by HSV, both of which will feature extensive chassis upgrades.

We understand these new Rogue and Rugged versions will be part of a facelifted HiLux line-up that could bring equipment updates to mainstream models, but Toyota executives have told motoring.com.au that a more powerful new HiLux TRD is at least a year away from eventuating.

Expected to be locally developed, the HiLux TRD could borrow design elements from the high-riding HiLux Tonka concept revealed in March last year and is expected to bring significant chassis upgrades and more power from the ute’s standard 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder.

Toyota has said its Victorian design studio, which has a staff of 30 and is part of Toyota Australia’s product planning division in Port Melbourne, was now a priority for the Japanese car-maker Down Under, where Toyota’s Camry factory in Altona closed in October.

For now, Toyota has only released these images of the three new HiLux 4x4 variants and confirmed their new features designed to “boost off-road protection, recovery and functionality”.

In detail, the HiLux Rogue (pictured here in silver) borrows styling elements from the aggressive new HiLux ‘Rocco’ released in Thailand in November, including a fresh front bumper with hexagonal upper grille and revised fog lights.

Meantime, Toyota says the HiLux Rugged (white) “provides off-roading enthusiasts with a vehicle that is ready for action”, although extras are limited to a ‘premium’ steel bull bar.

Finally, the HiLux Rugged X flagship (orange) ups the ante with a high-tensile alloy bash plate, winch- and airbag-compatible hoopless steel bull bar and new black honeycomb grille with gloss-black surround, plus a snorkel, LED driving lights, high-strength front and rear recovery points, rock rails, a load-carrying sports bar and other heavy-duty components.

However, Toyota says the model range and full specifications – which will be certified to Australian Design Rules and covered by a full vehicle warranty -- are subject to final confirmation and “may differ from those shown”.

These images also show both Rugged models wearing black 17-inch alloy wheels with machined faces, the Rogue riding on all-black alloys and all three models rolling on Dunlop GrandTrek AT25 tyres.

Confusingly, the top-spec Rugged X pictured here does not feature a bullbar, the standard Rugged appears with a snorkel, both have black bonnet decals and all three models wear black sports bars.

“HiLux buyers increasingly demand additional features -- in fact, they spend more on accessories than any other vehicle in our range," said Toyota Australia's vice president sales and marketing Sean Hanley.

"These new vehicles will enable them to make a statement with advanced toughness, added capability, practical comfort, first-class safety and the in-built strength that makes HiLux the indisputable number one.

"HiLux Rugged X is a no-compromise vehicle for those seeking adventure with a robust and capable vehicle that makes the ultimate statement: work hard, play harder.

"HiLux Rogue is for people who want refinement and capability, enabling them to go for weekend adventures and do it in style.

"HiLux Rugged is about toughness and off-road performance -- an ideal vehicle for getting off the beaten track."

Toyota’s Thai-built one-tonner was Australia’s best-selling vehicle for the second consecutive year (and Queensland’s for 11 years running) after finding a record 47,093 new homes in 2017.

That’s up almost 12 per cent on 2016 and 4365 more than the Ford Ranger, which was second overall nationally with 42,728 sales but outsold the HiLux excluding 4x2 versions.