Toyota HiLux
(2015 - 2020)

  • Toyota reliability….sort of.
  • Superb availability of parts and Toyota support.
  • Excellent off-road abilities.
  • No nonsense workhorse.
  • Lack of depreciation.
  • Average engine performance.
  • Not the safest in class.
  • Harsh on-road driving characteristics.
  • Short service intervals.
  • Lacking in infotainment tech.
  • Overpriced for what it is.
Watch our video review
Overview

Since its release in 2015, the 8th generation, AN120 and AN130 HiLux have been Australia’s highest selling new car but, even with a new model charging in from the horizon, used 8th gen HiLux opportunities seem to sell as fast as they are advertised.

These are a highly sought-after vehicle and the fact that they seem almost impervious to depreciation reflects their strong demand in the market.

With its competitors improving with every new release, this 8th generation of HiLux brought with it many improvements but is it staying true to its superb reputation for reliability and with so many variants, which HiLux is the pick of the crop?

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What goes wrong
  • The DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) and the regeneration (or burn off) process can result in huge plumes of white smoke from the exhaust.
  • Especially with vehicles driven predominantly around town at slow speeds.
  • Timing chain failure (very noisey) is an issue.
  • But, both issues have extended warranty support.
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Model range, pricing and features

Workmate

  • Price when new: $20,990 - $48,790
  • Price used: $16,000 - $47,500

The HiLux range kicks off with the minimal bells and whistles Workmate which when new, offers very good value for money. However, as Toyotas inherently hold their value in the used market, other manufacturers base spec utes and pick-ups may offer more bang for your buck.

Standard features:

  • 16-inch steel wheels (4×2)
  • 17-inch steel wheels with all-terrain tyres (4×4)
  • Hard-wearing fabric seat trim (previously vinyl)
  • Vinyl floor covering
  • 6.1-inch touchscreen display
  • Bluetooth phone and audio streaming
  • Voice control audio
  • Two-speaker stereo
  • Electric windows
  • Air-conditioning
  • 12-volt socket
  • USB input

SR

  • Price when new: $28,490 - $52,160
  • Price used: $23,000 - $50,000

The SR represents something of the workhorse of the HiLux range. While not entirely stripped out like the Workmate, the SR does offer a bit more muscle and a few more toys while not dabbling in any real luxuries.

SR adds:

  • Black side steps (Hi-Rider and 4×4)
  • Chrome door handles
  • B-pillar blacked-out paint
  • Carpet flooring
  • Premium fabric seat trim
  • 7.0-inch touchscreen with Toyota Link
  • Four-speaker stereo (extra-cab)
  • Six-speaker stereo (dual-cab)
  • Driver’s seat height adjustment
  • Air-conditioned cooler box with space for 2x600mL bottles
  • 60:40 split-fold rear seat base (dual-cab)
  • Rear differential lock (4×4 only

SR5, SR5+ & TRD

  • Price when new:
  • Price used:

While, in our opinion, the SR5 isn’t the best dual cab in its class, it is our pick of the HiLux range.

The SR5 will quite possibly outlast humanity but even when new, it felt a bit behind the times.

The SR5+ and TRD are available only as a 4×4 dual-cab pick-up with the 2.8-litre diesel as either a manual or auto.

SR5, SR5+ & TRD adds:

  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Satellite navigation
  • Digital radio
  • 4.2-inch colour driver information display
  • Keyless entry and push-button start
  • Climate control air conditioning
  • Premium trimmed steering wheel & gear knob
  • LED headlamps
  • Fog-lights
  • Silver interior trim highlights
  • Stainless steel sports bar
  • Chrome grille
  • Chrome rear step
  • Tinted glass
  • Alarm
  • Additional 12-volt socket
  • 220-volt charge point (dual-cab only)
  • Leather-accented trim (SR5+)
  • Power driver’s seat adjustment (SR5+)
  • TRD black grille (TRD)
  • TRD lower bumper finisher (TRD)
  • TRD red skid plate (TRD)
  • Wheel arch flares (TRD)
  • 18-inch black alloys (TRD)
  • Tub liner (TRD)
  • Soft tonneau (TRD)
  • Tail-light covers (TRD)
  • Mud flaps (TRD)
  • Tow kit (TRD)

Rugged

  • Price when new: $54,990 - $57,865
  • Price used: $50,000 - $56,000

Based on the HiLux SR, the Rugged is equipped with Toyota engineered and off-road focussed accessories.

The Rugged is available only as a 4×4 dual-cab pick-up with the 2.8-litre diesel as either a manual or auto.

Rugged adds:

  • Snorkel
  • New grille
  • Side rock rails
  • Sports bar
  • Heavy duty steel rear bar
  • Recovery points.

Rugged X

  • Price when new: $54,990 - $57,865
  • Price used: $50,000 - $56,000

Based on the HiLux SR5, the Rugged X is the most hardcore and expensive HiLux Toyota have produced, so far.

Rugged X adds:

  • 17-inch alloys
  • All-Terrain tyres
  • Heavy-duty steel front and rear bumpers
  • Additional front lighting
  • Front bash plate
  • Side rock rails
  • Air snorkel
  • Towing kit
  • Sports bar
  • Black wheel arch and side mouldings
  • Black mirror caps
  • Black tail lamp surrounds
  • Black perforated leather seats
  • Metallic black cabin trim
  • Black roof liner
  • Revised Instruments

Rogue

  • Price when new: $61,690 - $68,990
  • Price used: $55,000 - $60,000

Based on the HiLux SR5, the Rogue brings a touch of luxury to the HiLux range.

The Rogue is available only as a 4×4 dual-cab pick-up with the 2.8-litre diesel with only an automatic transmission.

Rogue adds:

  • New aesthetic elements
  • Leather-trimmed seats
  • Heated front seats
  • Metallic black interior highlights
  • White instrument cluster with orange needles
  • Front and rear floor mats
  • Tow bar and wiring harness
  • Body coloured hard tonneau cover
  • Sports bar
  • Marine-grade tub liner
Should you buy it?

Yes, but it depends on if it actually ticks your boxes, or are you buying it because everyone else seems to.

There’s no denying the incredible reputation for reliability the HiLux has built up over the years, and with the above issues resolved and the fitment of an oil catch can to extend the HiLuxs engines life, its relatively safe to assume this generation of HiLux will continue this reputation.

However, with the competition improving with every new generation, we highly recommend test driving at least a Ford Ranger before you purchase a HiLux.

We feel that the Ranger trumps the HiLux especially in terms of day-to-day driving enjoyment, comfort and refinement and while both vehicles are extremely capable off-road, any shortcomings can most likely be resolved with the fitment of intelligent aftermarket accessories.

Then there is the value for money element of your potential purchase. Again, we feel a Ranger just offers better value for money, especially in the used car market.

But yes, if it’s definitely a HiLux you want, it’s a HiLux you should get and we recommend an SR5 but please, make sure you try a Ranger before you hand over your hard earned cash.

Warranty & servicing

Warranty:

  • 3-years/100,000kms
  • 5-years/Unlimited kms (From 1/1/2019)
  • 10-years on cars affected by faulty diesel-particulate filters (DPFs).

 

Servicing:

  • 10,000kms or every 6 months
Tech specs

Body style:

Single-cab-chassis 2-door 4×2Workmate 2.7L petrol, manual and auto

  • Workmate, 2.4L diesel, manual
  • SR 2.8L diesel, manual

Single-cab-chassis 2-door 4×4

  • Workmate 2.4L diesel, manual and auto
  • SR 2.8L diesel, manual and auto
  • Extra-cab pick-up 4×2
  • SR 2.8L diesel, manual

Extra-cab-chassis 4×4

  • Workmate 2.4L diesel, manual
  • Extra-cab pick-up 4×4
  • SR 2.8L diesel, manual
  • SR5 2.8L diesel, manual

Dual-cab pick-up 4-door 4×2

  • Workmate 2.7L petrol, manual and auto
  • Workmate 2.4L diesel, manual
  • SR 4.0L petrol, auto (Discontinued 2018)
  • SR Hi-Rider 2.8L diesel, manual and auto
  • SR5 Hi-Rider 2.8L diesel, manual

Dual-cab-chassis 4×4

  • SR 2.8L diesel manual, and auto

Dual-cab pick-up 4-door 4×4

  • Workmate 2.4L diesel, manual and auto
  • SR 4.0L petrol, auto (Discontinued 2018)
  • SR 2.8L diesel, manual and auto
  • SR5 4.0L petrol, auto (Discontinued 2018)
  • SR5 2.8L diesel, manual and auto
  • SR5+ 2.8L diesel, manual and auto
  • Rugged 2.8L diesel, manual and auto
  • Rugged X 2.8L diesel, and auto
  • Rogue 2.8L diesel, auto

Engine & outputs:

  • 2.7-litre, 4-cyl petrol – 122kW / 245Nm (Workmate)
  • 4.0-Litre, 6-cyl petrol – 175kW / 376Nm (SR, Discontinued 2018)
  • 2.4-litre, 4-cyl turbo-diesel – 110kW / 400Nm (Workmate)
  • 2.8-litre, 4-cyl turbo-diesel 130kW / 450Nm (SR, SR5, SR5+, Rugged, Rugged X, Rogue)

Drivelines:

  • 6-spd manual or CVT auto, AWD

Fuel use:

  • 10.7 – 11.1L/100km (2.4L 4-cyl petrol)
  • 11.5 – 12.0/100km (4.0L 6-cyl petrol)
  • 6.8 – 7.3L/100km (2.4L 4-cyl turbo-diesel)
  • 7.3-9.0L/100km (2.8L 4-cyl petrol)

Height:

  • 1690mm (Single-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×2)
  • 1700mm (Dual-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×2)
  • 1800mm (Single-cab chassis Hi-Rider 4×2 and 4×4)
  • 1815mm (Extra-cab chassis Hi-Rider 4×2 and 4×4)
  • 1880mm (Dual-cab-chassis/Pick-up 4×4)

Length:

  • 5330mm (Single, Extra and Dual-cab-chassis/Pick-up 4×2)
  • 5359mm (Double & Single-cab ute)

Width:

  • 1800mm (Single-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×2)
  • 1855mm (Dual-cab chassis/Pick-up Hi-Rider and 4×4)

Weight:

  • 1490kg (Single-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×2, 2.7L 4-cyl petrol)
  • 1745kg (Dual-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×2, 2.7L 4-cyl petrol)
  • 1570kg (Single-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×2, 2.4L 4-cyl diesel)
  • 1840kg (Dual-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×2, 2.4L 4-cyl diesel)
  • 1840kg (Dual-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×2 Hi-Rider, 2.4L 4-cyl diesel)
  • 1880kg (Dual-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×4, 2.4L 4-cyl diesel)
  • 1575kg (Single-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×2, 2.8L 4-cyl diesel)
  • 1795kg (Single-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×4, 2.8L 4-cyl diesel)
  • 1770kg (Extra-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×2, 2.8L 4-cyl diesel)
  • 1955kg (Extra-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×4, 2.8L 4-cyl diesel)
  • 1770kg (Dual-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×2, 2.8L 4-cyl diesel)
  • 1930kg (Dual-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×2 Hi-Rider, 2.8L 4-cyl diesel)
  • 2075kg (Dual-cab chassis/Pick-up 4×4, 2.8L 4-cyl diesel)

Ground clearance:

  • 201mm
  • 232mm (Hi-Rider and 4×4 Models)

Towing / Payload:

4×2 single-cab-chassis:

  • 2.7L petrol manual – towing: 2500kg; payload: 1225kg
  • 2.7L petrol auto – towing 2500kg; payload: 1210kg
  • 2.4L diesel manual – towing 2500kg; payload: 1240kg
  • 2.8L diesel manual – towing 2500kg; payload: 1235kg

4×2 extra-cab chassis:

  • 2.8L diesel manual – towing 2500kg; payload: 1040kg

4×2 dual-cab pick-up:

  • 2.7L petrol manual – towing 2500kg; payload: 1035kg
  • 2.7L petrol auto – towing: 2500kg; payload: 1025kg
  • 2.4L diesel manual – towing: 2500kg; payload: 1020kg
  • 4.0L petrol auto – towing: 2500kg; payload: 1015kg
  • 2.8L diesel man – towing: 2800kg; payload: 1000kg
  • 2.8L diesel auto – towing: 2800kg; payload: 1000kg

4×4 single-cab chassis:

  • 2.4L diesel manual – towing: 3200kg; payload: 1225kg
  • 2.4L diesel auto – towing: 3000kg; payload: 1225kg
  • 2.8L diesel manual – towing: 3500kg; payload: 1205kg
  • 2.8L diesel auto – towing: 3200kg; payload: 1205kg

4×4 extra-cab chassis:

  • 2.4L diesel manual – towing: 3200kg; payload: 1120kg

4×4 extra-cab pick-up:

  • 2.8L diesel manual – towing: 3500kg; payload: 1010kg

4×4 dual-cab pick-up:

  • 2.4L diesel manual – towing: 3200kg; payload: 955kg
  • 2.4L diesel auto – towing: 3000kg; payload: 955kg
  • 4.0L petrol auto – towing: 3000kg; payload: 1000kg
  • 2.8L diesel auto – towing: 3200kg; payload: 925kg
  • 2.8 diesel man – towing: 3500kg; payload: 925kg
Disclaimer

Information correct as of January 21, 2021.

The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.

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