Toyota Hilux: Variants explained

The Toyota Hilux needs little introduction. The best-selling pickup truck has evolved over the years to becomes more refined and comfortable. Today in its eighth generation,

the Hilux has taken on a sleeker appearance from the outside and gained many creature comforts on the inside. But even on its fiftieth anniversary last year, the Hilux’s biggest draw has remained its bulletproof ruggedness and its reliability.

The current generation Hilux was launched in 2015 and today is on sale in a variety of options for engine, drivetrain, and trim level. Utility vehicles need to satisfy a wide variety of requirements and car makers recognise this.

This often leads to a bewildering array of specifications and options that can quickly become daunting. Here we try to have a crack at the extensive and impressive variants for the Toyota Hilux that are available for the Philippines market.

While the variants differ in some major ways, the basic underpinnings of the Hilux remain the same across the range. An improved version of the IMV chassis kept aloft by independent double wishbone coil spring suspension at the front and a live axle leaf spring suspension at the rear forms the framework for all the variants.

All variants come with ventilated discs at the front and drum brakes at the rear. They all share the same exterior design with a slightly less butch but more aerodynamic front end with longer swept back headlights and a chrome grille. Under it is a big and blocky bumper that lends itself to flared wheel arches.

Inside, the Hilux now looks more like a car and features ample space for passengers and cargo. All variants come standard with front and driver knee airbags. Now to get into the real nitty-gritty of things.
There are two diesel engine options to choose from. The first is a 2.4-litre 4-Cylinder, 16-Valve DOHC variable nozzle turbo with front mounted intercooler that churns out 147 hp across all variants but the torque figure varies.

For the J and Cab & Chassis, it generates 343 Nm while in the E, G, and Conquest (which is based on the G variants) variants, it makes 400 Nm of torque. The other engine option is a 2.8-litre 4-Cylinder, 16-Valve DOHC variable nozzle turbo with front mounted intercooler that makes 174 hp along with 450 Nm of torque with an automatic transmission and 420 Nm with the manual transmission.

Speaking of transmission, the basic Cab & Chassis and the J variant are available only with a 5-speed manual transmission. The E variant can only be had with the 6-speed manual while all the others can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a gated sequential 6-speed automatic. The Hilux also offers a 4X4 drivetrain for all except the lowest two variants which also equips them with an auto disconnect differential and a built-in differential lock.

Size matters for something like a pickup truck and the Hilux provide a wide choice here too. This despite keeping the same wheelbase of 3085 mm. Starting from the bottom, the Cab and Chassis can be had with a variable length but width and height of 1800 mm and 1690 mm respectively. The J variant is slightly bigger at 5285 mm (L) x 1800 mm (W) x 1700 mm (H).

Then there is the manual version of the E variant that measures 5285 mm (L) x 1815 mm (W) x 1815 mm (H). All other variants higher than this have the same dimensions at 5335 mm (L) x 1855 mm (W) x 1815 mm (H). Tires and wheels vary across the range with 205 / 70 R15 steel for the bottom two, 225 / 70 R17 steel for the E, 265 / 65 R17 alloy for the G, and 265 / 65 R18 alloy for the Conquest.

A distinction here needs to be made for the top of the line Conquest variant, which is kitted out with many modern exterior features including LED headlamps and fog lamps along with DRLs, bed liner, roof ornament, sports bar, and rear graphics.

Moving inside, all except the Cab and Chassis come with seating for 5 and fabric seats. The base comes with 2 PVC covered seats. The instrument display on all except the two base models is a vertical multi-information display. The same goes for power windows, door lock, outside rearview mirror adjust, and remote door lock. As for infotainment,

anything above the base will get you a 4 speaker system while the top two variants come with 6 speakers and a 6.5-inch touch screen and steering wheel mounted controls. The top two variants will also get you automatic air conditioning, rear parking sensors, and navigation.

Speaking of Hilux specs take on the safety front, the top specs of each of the top two variants come with additional side curtain shield airbags and a plethora of driver aids including Vehicle Stability Control, Active Traction Control, Hill-start Assist Control, Trailer Sway Control, and Brake Assist. All variants do come with ABS and EBD.

Toyota Hilux price start from Php 819000 for the base Cab & Chassis, Php 929000 for the J, Php 1020000 for the 4X2 E, Php 1176000 for the 4X4 E, Php 1194000 for the 2.4L 4X2 G, Php 1269000 for the 2.4L 4X4 G, Php 1496000 for the 2.8 4X2 G and Php 1626000 for the 2.8L 4X4 G.

While no price is too high for the ruggedness, reliability, and go-anywhere ability of the Toyota Hilux. These prices make the Hilux one of the best pickup trucks in the market today.

Also Read:- Toyota forecasts 10.77 million units in sales for 2020