Upgraded Toyota HiLux to be led by tougher Rogue

An upgraded 2023 Toyota HiLux ute range has been announced for later this year, headlined by a wider new Rogue model and updates for SR and SR5 variants – alongside confirmation the range-topping Rugged X will be replaced by a new flagship “apex off-road variant”.

Although details including launch timing for the latter are yet to be revealed, the Toyota HiLux Rugged X replacement could borrow elements from the hot 165kW/550Nm GR Sport model revealed in South Africa in February.

For now, the new wide-body Rogue will top an updated HiLux line-up revealed just days after Australia’s auto market leader reported a record 7582 HiLux sales last month and just days before the new Ford Ranger hits dealer and customer hands next week.

No pricing or release timing has yet been announced, Toyota saying only that the revised HiLux range will arrive in the fourth quarter of this year, but carsales understands mainstream variants will be available from September, followed by the upgraded Rogue in November.

Toyota Australia ceased sales of the HiLux Rogue and Rugged X in May, when the two priciest versions of Australia’s most popular new model were pulled from sale because local orders exceeded supply from Thailand.

The range-topping Rogue and Rugged X dual-cab 4x4 utes have notched up over 17,000 sales since their Australian release in 2018.

And for 2023, the Toyota HiLux Rogue will bring a much wider wheel track, increased ride height and upgraded suspension and brakes, which Toyota claims will improve its performance, both off-road and on.

The revised Rogue will bring a track increase of about 140mm both front and rear, while the vehicle's ride height will rise by around 20mm, which Toyota says will “aid off-road ability while also improving on-road performance”.

To accommodate wider track, Toyota has extended the front suspension arm and stabiliser bar, and adjusted the shock absorber angle to improve its efficiency.

The Rogue’s mechanical overhaul is even bigger at the rear, where there’s a longer axle, the dampers have been moved further outboard towards the wheels and a rear stabiliser bar has been added for the first time on a HiLux.

Toyota says roll rigidity has been enhanced by 20 per cent as a result of the suspension changes, “improving steering feel when cornering and changing lanes”.

The other mechanical upgrade is the fitment of ventilated rear brake discs to replace the existing drums “for enhanced braking performance”, while a new 17-inch front brake rotor is an inch larger than before.

None of these braking or suspension changes apply to other models, and to accommodate the increased track width the revised Rogue also brings wider overfenders and mudguards, and the front body extension has also been widened better integrate with the front bumper.

“The significant suspension upgrades to the HiLux Rogue not only improve off-road capability but create a more stable and comfortable on-road driving experience,” said Toyota Australia vice-president for sales, marketing and franchise operations, Sean Hanley.

“Continuous improvement is a key facet of Toyota's philosophy and has been clearly achieved by this latest HiLux premium model.”

Lower in the 2023 Toyota HiLux range, SR extra-cab and double-cab models receive new black 17-inch alloy wheels to replace their steel rims, plus body-coloured door-handles.

The top-selling SR5 double-cab pick-up variant, meantime, gains extra active safety equipment including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which are also added to the new Rogue.

Dual-cab SR5 pick-ups also score a panoramic view monitor, puddle lamps (replacing heated exterior mirrors) and, for automatic SR5 grades and above, an ID Box anti-theft immobiliser to replace the steering column lock, “which adds an extra level of security when starting the car with the smart key”, says Toyota.

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