Reviews - Toyota

Overall Rating

The Toyota Hilux is primarily a commercial vehicle, however Toyota were one of the first to see the benefit of making this pick-up a lifestyle vehicle too and pioneered the way for its rivals to follow suit. No longer manufactured the Hilux still has plenty to offer.

• Good workhorse
• Excellent 4x4
• Lifestyle choice as well as business

• Poor visibility
• High loading difficult with heavy items
• Low spec on standard models

The Hilux is a rugged workhorse that attempted to put some style in the pick-up market by being an off-road vehicle followed by a lifestyle car. Inside the quality is not the best and features hard plastics and seats finished in hard-wearing, but not high-quality material. The Hilux comes in single-, extra- or double-cab versions, offering two, four or five seats respectively. The two-seat single-cab, and the extra-cab with its occasional rear bench, remains utility purchases, but the double-cab really can be used as a family car as well as a business workhorse. All double-cab models get side-impact beams, driver and passenger airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners. Its biggest rivals are the popular Mitsubishi L200 4Life, the Ford Ranger and the Isuzu TF. Only one diesel engine is available the 2.5-litre D4-D turbocharged unit with 102bhp. Trim levels are EX, GX and top-spec VX. The base EX gets electric front windows, electric mirrors, air conditioning, central locking and radio/cassette. GX has a rev-counter, CD player, remote locking with alarm, cloth door coverings and a carpeted floor, sports seats, a full chrome package and an A-style rear deck. The VX gets ABS, alloy wheels and chrome badging. ABS anti-lock brakes are standard only on the top-spec VX; unfortunately they aren't even an option on other models. EX-spec gets central locking, while GX and VX models get remote central locking with an aftermarket alarm fitted. The two-tonne 4WD off-roader is good to the open road. Its steering, brakes and gearbox are all and effortless to drive. Manoeuvrability is not the best and visibility is difficult to judges when parking as the Hilux's body is high and although not much bigger than an average executive car it does feel like it. The high body also makes loading heavy objects into the back a strain. Off-road driving is well equipped for such adventurous off road driving and is lots of fun. Its minimum ground clearance is only 225mm. As a used buyer check you have the correct tyres for what you are expecting the Hilux to do. The maximum payload is 1,055kg and the towing capacity is 2,250kg.

A strong solid workhorse with added lifestyle benefits for carrying additional passengers. Excellent off-roader but watch tight spots in towns due to poor visibility when parking.