Your questions answered: Should I buy a new Toyota HiLux or wait for the new one?

The Toyota HiLux may be getting on in life but it’s still a heavy hitter in the ute market. But is it worth splashing out on the current car as it approaches the end of its life? That’s one of the questions that hit the carsales mailbox this week.

We’ve also got someone wondering why the new Y63 Nissan Patrol will take two years to make its way Down Under (good question!). Plus there’s an EV-versus-hybrid debate and someone wondering if it’s worth jumping behind the wheel of the Tesla Model Y. And which Corolla makes most sense?

Answer: The current HiLux went on sale in 2015 and Toyota typically runs its commercial vehicles for 10 years, sometimes longer. So, timing would suggest a new one could arrive next year. If not, you could all but put your house on it arriving in 2026.

And it can’t come soon enough. Toyota has a lot of catching up to do with the HiLux. It’s still the benchmark for ruggedness and reliability and it’s an excellent ute off-road (it impresses more the rougher and tougher the terrain gets).

But as you’ve noticed the cabin is looking and feeling tired and the HiLux is lacking some of the tech and safety kit we’re seeing in the standout utes, especially the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok.

As for whether you should buy one, it’d be worth waiting if you’ve got that flexibility.

There’s a whole lot of action brewing in the ute market.

Ford is readying a plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger, BYD is gearing up to unleash the Shark (another PHEV) and Kia will have its new Tasman on the road in the middle of 2025. So competition is set to ramp up.

While I had my heart set on the V8, it seems like the four-cylinder would make more sense, especially for saving some money at bowser.

What would you do? - Kane

Answer: The LandCruiser 70 Series is an acquired taste but one that appeals to loads of Aussies. Obviously, the big part of its appeal is its off-road ability and tough nature that has earned it a reputation for dealing with punishment for many years.

In V8 guise it was never that impressive, with very modest outputs. A lot of owners turn to the aftermarket to improve that and give the car a lot more punch.

The V8 is also only available as a manual, whereas the four-cylinder has an auto (the first ever for the 70 Series). But the V8 is an engine that’s loved by LandCruiser owners (and those who want to join the family).

In recent years they’ve been performing brilliantly on the used car market with very solid residual values. That in itself may be enough to sway you to the V8, because it’s difficult to see that used car love for the big engine waning.

But… if you want the better engine then the four-cylinder wins. It’s got more torque, which combined with the auto transmission means better performance. That translates to towing and its off-road ability too. Plus you should use less fuel, although don’t expect it to be as economical as other four-cylinders (the LC70 is still fairly heavy and not very aerodynamic).

Answer: Congrats on the imminent new arrival! Hybrid tech has long been talked of as something that will help transition the world to EVs or some form of zero emissions. That’s still the case, although it’s also clear hybrid will be playing a big role for many years to come.

So don’t stress about hybrids being outdated. There’s still loads of love for them and we’ll be seeing plenty more of them over the coming years. There are also some terrific options, especially in the mid-sized SUV segment: check out the Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail E-POWER and Honda CR-V as a start.

As for whether you can make an EV work… Do you have off-street parking with a powerpoint nearby? If so, then you’ve addressed the biggest hurdle with owning an EV.

Obviously road trips become more of a challenge, but with some planning and acceptance you’ll have to stop for half an hour to charge it’s usually easy enough to make them work.

Look at the Tesla Model Y and upcoming Kia EV5.

Answer: As you may have noticed the car world has gone SUV mad. The Corolla Cross is a way for Toyota to leverage the decades of goodwill and brand equity that has gone into building up the Corolla nameplate but with an SUV body that more buyers are gravitating to.

As you’ve noticed, the regular Corolla still exists in both sedan and hatch form and each is now only available as a hybrid. They’re still great cars and the simple but effective hybrid system makes for frugal motoring. But the Corolla doesn’t have much back seat space, especially in hatchback guise.

That’s where the Corolla Cross comes in. It’s a bigger vehicle with a higher seat height to give a better view. It’s also hybrid only and gets a later generation hybrid system that brings more power. But you pay more for it.

In short, the Corolla Cross is a better vehicle with more space, but it’s more expensive. If you don’t need that space then the regular Corolla will do just fine - and it’s still a great small car.

Answer: Yep, late 2026 is certainly a long wait for a new model but partly tells you about the priorities for the brand. The American and Middle Eastern markets are big business for the Patrol (it’s sold as the Armada in the US), and each has the steering wheel on the left.

There’s obviously a significant engineering and manufacturing investment for smaller right-hand drive markets such as Australia, which would partly explain the delay.?Oh, and the current V8 model is still selling pretty well - and Aussies have never shied away from a V8, even if it is particularly thirsty.

Answer: The Tesla Model Y still stacks up amazingly well, and not only by EV standards. It also competes well against better-equipped mid-sized SUVs. Its appeal is in its value and cabin space and practicality as well as the tech, some of which is gimmicky (but there’s also plenty of genuinely useful stuff).

You also can’t ignore the Tesla charging network, which makes road trips so much easier due to the additional chargers you can use compared with other EVs. The Model Y is not perfect, though, and the firm suspension is one of its less endearing qualities.

Also keep in mind we’re expecting an updated model in 2025. There are no official details on it yet - including exactly when it will arrive - but you could look to the updated Model 3 that arrived late in 2023 to get an idea of what to expect. A more upmarket cabin, rear entertainment screen and more supple suspension are likely to be part of the tweaks.

That said, at the price it is selling for the current Model Y is still terrific value. As for alternatives, check out the soon-to-arrive Kia EV5, which should be slightly more affordable than the Tesla. Other cars coming soon that we haven’t tested yet include the Cupra Tavascan, Skoda Enyaq and Volkswagen ID.4.

Got a question but don’t know where to find the information you need? Email us at editor@carsales.com.au

Find more of Your Questions Answered by carsales

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au