2015 Toyota HiLux review | first drive

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• published: 01 Oct 2015
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Malcolm Flynn road tests and reviews the Toyota HiLux with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch. Read the full review: http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/2015-toyota-hilux-review-first-drive-36030?utm_source=youtube&utm;_medium=ytdesc&utm;_campaign=ytdesc - - - - - - - - - - The arrival of a new HiLux is much more important than the launch of a new Commodore or Falcon these days, and this one's the first all-new model in a decade. During this past decade, all the big brands have had a jolly good crack at toppling the light commercial ute king, and although it's still the best-seller, utes like the Ranger, BT-50, Amarok and the new Navara and Triton have left the HiLux feeling a bit old. Toyota has spent the best part of these ten years developing the new eighth-generation HiLux from the ground up. So while it may look a bit like the old one, the chassis, body, diesel engines and transmissions are all new. The stronger frame is made of thicker steel, with redesigned double wishbone suspension up front, and longer and wider spread leaf springs in the back to improve everything from load carrying to stability, ride quality and off-road articulation. The wheelbase is the same, but the body is longer, wider and lower, with more clearance for off-roading. Toyota's Australian engineers had a bigger hand than ever in its development too, spending six years toughening up the suspension, tyres, undercarriage and electricals for us and the toughest environments in the world. It may be tougher, but the interior is more car-like than ever, with a standard touchscreen and reach adjustment for the steering for the first time. The materials are still tough though, so it hasn't gone soft. In the dual cabs, the back seat doesn't feel any roomier, but the cushions are more comfortable, and the folding base is now split 60/40. There's 31 different variants to choose from, 12 of which are two wheel drive, 19 of which are four wheel drive, and you can choose between single or extra cab, or the popular dual cab, and each is available with either a cab chassis or pickup tray. The HiLux is the first in its segment to get a standard reversing camera across all pickup models, and it's optional on the cab chassis. However, you can't get the forward collision alert or adaptive cruise control that's now available on the Ranger. The petrol 2.7 litre and V6 drivetrains have been revised to improve efficiency, but the new 2.4 and 2.8-litre diesels are the ones that we've really been hanging out for. The 2.4-litre makes similar figures to the old 3.0-litre, and the 2.8-litre brings the HiLux in line with its closest rivals. Both new transmissions are six speed units on the four wheel drives, and fuel efficiency has improved across the board. We've only driven the four-wheel drive dual cab for now and comfort, handling and performance have all improved, but we only drove it with a 200 kilo load in the tray so can't judge its unladen ride just yet. Even with the load on board, the top-spec SR5 isn't quite as compliant as the Ranger Wildtrak, so it's not quite a new segment benchmark. The new diesels are much smoother and more quiet than before, and a smaller turbo helps them to be more responsive. The steering is still hydraulic, but it's more direct and requires less effort than before, and feels more like a car to steer than a truck. The max tow rating finally matches the 3.5 tonne segment benchmark for four wheel drive manuals with the big diesel, and it easily managed highway speeds with a 2.7 tonne van during our test. Four wheel drive and low range selection is now by a dash knob instead of a stick, SR5s get hill descent control for the first time, and SR and SR5s come with a rear diff lock. Overall the new HiLux has fixed all our big criticisms of the old model. It doesn't really move the game forward aside from the standard reversing camera on pickups, but it lives up to all our expectations of a modern light commercial ute. Toyota's ground-up approach has made the new HiLux easily the best ever, and the best suited to Australian conditions. Whether it's once again the best ute you can buy will have to wait for a back to back comparo, but you're not likely to be disappointed.