Our First Look at the New Toyota HiLux

The legendary HiLux has had a raft of upgrades that make it more comfy and capable, without losing its reliable toughness. Tim’s had a first look and drive of the new model.

Some products are so durable that they become famous for it. The Nokia 3310 ‘brick’ is a great example of a phone equipped to handle nuclear blasts, as is the humble Nalgene water bottle, which tackles being filled with boiling water and dropped down a cliff with ease.

When it comes to cars, I reckon we can add the Toyota HiLux to the list. The true test isn’t the marketing, it’s how many you see still getting around – especially once you leave the big smoke.

I had the chance to spend a week (half of it out bush!) with the new Toyota HiLux, an SR5 model with a heap of genuine accessories and all the new creature comforts that a modern ute needs to compete in the world’s most ute-obsessed market.

Our loan HiLux was kitted out with all the genuine Toyota accessories, yum

First Up, the Honeycomb Grille

It’d be wild if I didn’t address this first. The new grille quickly tells you you’re looking at the new model and yeah, it’s a bit polarising, despite it having no effect on its performance.

It comes colour-matched to the car, with Toyota lettering in line with the lights. Our model came with a colour-matched Toyota premium steel bullbar too, and in this spec I reckon it looks positively mean.

The bar is tough and the colour-matching works a treat

The accessories range has expanded majorly with a canopy, nudge bar, seat covers, aero roof racks, a snorkel, and even a winch all available as Toyota Genuine Accessories.

Side Step Access to the Tray

A handy step has been placed behind the rear wheel arch, which gives you a stable place to stand when you’re getting your swag/camp chair/inflatable unicorn out of the side of the tray. It also makes it easier to balance because you can put your other foot on the rear tyre. Love it.

Rear step and side steps make tray and roof access a cinch

The 12.3” Multimedia Touchscreen

Every car has a touchscreen now, but so many companies mess it up. The new one in the HiLux is great – it’s located up high so it’s easy to see and touch, it’s wide but not tall, so it doesn’t block your view out the window, and it’s nice and responsive.

The screen also lets you use the ‘multi-terrain monitor’ which uses a ring of cameras to show you what’s underneath the car, or ‘panoramic view monitor’ which shows a top-down view of the car (awesome when nabbing a tight parking spot in the city).

The screen’s big but I love that it’s not too tall (or far away)

There’s a second LCD screen behind the steering wheel on higher-end models like this SR5, which allows you to customise the information you need at a glance – like tyre pressure or even a simplified map.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto has also found its way to the new HiLux, which is a game-changer when you’re hopping in and out of the car on repeat. A wireless charging pad makes it easy to stay juiced too.

Keyless Entry

You simply walk up and, if the keys are in your pocket, press a little button on the door handle as you open it, and you’re in. A push-button start (note: you don’t have to hold it down like I did) makes the process absurdly simple.

Keyless entry’s a godsend when you’re jumping in and out of the car all day

Speaking of starting, there’s a stop/start function that I’m sure will rile some people up. Personally, I don’t get the hate – the HiLux starts up again as soon as I let go of the brake, quicker than I can move to the accelerator, and if it’s a hot day it’ll start up again before the air con cuts out.

With the way fuel’s going, more eco features like this can only be a good thing.

Heaps of Real Buttons

No one has time for fiddly touchscreen menus when they just want to adjust the air con.

The new HiLux has physical volume buttons, and below them you’ll find individual buttons for climate control, 4WD modes, and even a driving modes dial that allows you to scroll from Eco through to Sport.

Being able to change modes quickly is great for handling and efficiency

I’m a big fan of this, it feels no-nonsense and while some of the buttons and interior surfaces do feel a bit softer and premium, they also don’t feel weak.

V-Active Electric Assisted Engine Tech

Not to get nerdy, but part of the reason the stop-start is so good is the 48-volt lithium battery motor-generator system available on double cab, SRs, auto SR5s (like mine), and the higher spec Rogue and Rugged X.

Electric assistance helps make the 150kW (and 500Nm!), 2.8L, turbo-diesel engine more economical, yet more sprightly when needed – so much so that Sport mode felt a bit hectic. Plus it allows for super-controlled crawling in mud and snow. It regenerates from braking too, free electricity!

Go the V-Active battery tech that’s stored in here, you won’t regret it

Speaking of, there’s a 220V outlet in the glovebox designed to charge things like tools, laptops, or that one weird accessory that still isn’t USB-C, while you drive out to the trailhead.

There’s no petrol model, which doesn’t bother me much for an Aussie 4WD, however manuals are still available. That being said, the auto I had was a mind reader. If you haven’t tried a modern automatic 4WD gearbox like this one it’s well worth a test drive to challenge your preconceptions.

Redesigned Steering Wheel

You can’t tell me that the steering wheel doesn’t look good. The slightly squared-off centre complements the HiLux’s new interior design and it has just the right amount of buttons; menu navigation, calls, cruise control, and volume. The only thing missing seemed to be a mute button, but maybe that’s because I need the volume down when I’m in reverse.

All the important functions are now on the steering wheel

New Colours!

The newest ones are the nicest for sure, with a charcoal colour called ‘ash slate’ and a burnt golden yellow called ‘sunglow’ that’s basically a nicer version of a very similar ute colour you’ve probably seen driving around.

It’s a pretty great colour, our photographer Paul was stoked

What else?

Heaps! But I need a bit more time for a deep dive into everything the new HiLux can do. We shared the rig around the We Are Explorers team, so look out for stories from Eva, Daygin, and myself in the coming weeks, as well as my upcoming tech talk with all the nerdy details.

Got questions? Anything you want to know? Hit me up in the comments or check out Toyota’s site for the complete lowdown.