The Aussie-designed exterior is partially new, but a lot hasn’t changed at all
The News
Ahead of its December release, the ninth-generation Toyota HiLux has made its global debut, revealing an Australian-led exterior design overhaul, a modernised interior, a rationalised range and mechanical underpinnings that are fundamentally familiar.
The Key Details
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Australian-led design development
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Strong Australian influence on chassis and suspension development
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Range rationalised to 16 models
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Many carry-over parts including platform and powertrain
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Toyota defends evolutionary update
The Finer Details
The new HiLux is actually more a substantial facelift than a new generation.
We’ve reported separately on the changes that have been made to the design, chassis and equipment levels and line-up.
But much hasn’t changed.
While the entry-level 2.3-litre petrol and 2.4-litre turbo petrol engines have been dropped, the familiar 1GD 2.8-litre turbo-diesel now powers the entire 16-model range (down from 27).
The mild hybrid 2.8’s power and torque outputs are unchanged at 150kW and 500Nm when teamed with the carry-over six-speed automatic transmission, or 150kW/420Nm when driving through the six-speed manual.
The line-up continues with single-, extended- and dual-cab bodies, 4×2 and carry-over part-time 4×4 configurations.
Model grades are familiar, starting with Workmate and progressing through SR, SR5, SR5+, Rogue and Rugged X, which returns to the range after a two-year absence.
The high-performance GR Sport has been, at least temporarily, dropped. The wide-track chassis that underpinned Rogue and GR Sport has also been dropped.
Emphasising just how evolutionary the new HiLux is, it retains its predecessor’s decade-old IMV ladder frame rather than moving to the new-generation TNGA platform.
As a result, wheelbase and track measurements are unchanged and the entire centre body-section of the vehicle – A-pillar to C-pillar – retains the same roof, window and door openings and skins.
That in turn means the tub remains too narrow to fit an Aussie pallet between the wheel arches and the rear seat will remain one of the more cramped in the segment.
The basic and obvious question is why this vehicle hadn’t had a more substantial overhaul?
“What’s it matter. It’s a tested and reliable car, it’s what the customers want, not what you want,” Toyota Australia marketing chief Sean Hanley told journalists at a recent briefing on the new HiLux.
“What you want is not always important to the customer.”
“We’ll see how we go. I’m pretty confident.”
The fundamental reason for the evolutionary approach appears to be Toyota’s conviction that ute sales have peaked.
It is convinced HiLux will be fighting more competitors going forward and it will be claiming a smaller share of a static pie.
Hanley forecast annual sales in excess of 40,000 for the new HiLux; well down on the 64,301 sales it peaked at in 2022 during its seven-year run (2016-22) at the top of the sales charts.
It has only surrendered sales leadership to the newer and better Ford Ranger in the last two years.
“The ute market has been pretty much a two-horse race, but there are players continuing to enter the market that will no doubt have an impact,” Hanley said.
“But we remain certain our new HiLux will continue to hold its own against the new competition and deliver what Australians demand in a ute.”
The exterior and interior design overhaul, led by Simon Hogios and his team at Toyota Design Australia has notably toughened up the front-end look, while the interior design was developed in Japan based on a TDA theme.
As has been normal for around 15 years, Toyota Australia also had influence on the new HiLux’s on-road behaviour via extensive local testing.
While the pricing entry-point to the range appears certain to go up because of the powertrain cull, the good news is a 3500kg braked towing capability will be standard across the range.
Previously, 4×2 petrols offered 2500kg and diesels 2800kg.
The Road Ahead
It’s quite clear this HiLux is a holding exercise designed to do as much as possible without the cost of a clean sheet design.
It’s just whether enough has been done to keep 40,000-plus buyers interested per annum.
“I am not going home losing sleep over anything, that car will go fine,” Hanley insisted.
“I’ll tell you why that car will go fine. It’s got everything a ute buyer wants. It’s reliable, it’s got good quality, it’s got a car brand behind it that’s trusted, it’s got a car brand behind it that can supply parts, it’s got a car brand behind it with 280 dealers around the country where these people go.”
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