The Toyota HiLux could lose its sales crown to its Ford Ranger arch-rival in 2023, but it will gain a brash new flagship in the second half of the year.
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Upcoming HiLux GR Sport
The GR Sport gets a 10 per cent torquier and more powerful 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine and tweaks to its suspension and transmission.
Pricing for this variant has yet to be released, and the recently updated Rogue remains the top-shelf HiLux for now.
HiLux prices were increased by $1250 across numerous variants late in 2022, and further price increases have appeared from January 1 on certain variants. A full price list can be found below.
There have been no further specification changes this year.
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HiLux SR5
“The price rise on HiLux was due to a combination of factors outside our control,” said a spokesperson for Toyota Australia.
“[These include] more expensive raw materials, labour, tooling and packaging… feeding into higher manufacturing costs.
“There has [also] been a significant increase in sea-freight charges, and economic conditions are generally tougher with inflation on the rise, both here and overseas.
“In addressing these challenges, Toyota remains committed to keeping price increases to a minimum while maintaining our customer expectations for the quality and reliability of our vehicles.”
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HiLux Rogue
The updated, Aussie-finished Rogue, introduced last October, gets a front and rear track increase of approximately 140mm, as well as a ride height increase of approximately 20mm. These are both claimed to aid both on- and off-road performance.
In order to accommodate the track increase in the HiLux Rogue, Toyota engineers overhauled the existing suspension by extending the front suspension arm and front stabiliser bar length. They also adjusted the shock absorber angle to improve its efficiency.
At the rear the axle length has been extended and the dampers have been moved further outwards towards the wheels.
Toyota claims it has enhanced the Rogue’s roll rigidity by 20 per cent, while a new rear stabiliser bar is said to enhance cornering stability and ride comfort.
New ventilated rear disc brakes replace the existing drum brakes for better braking performance, while the front disc brakes have been upgraded to units with a diameter of 17 inches – up an inch on before.
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HiLux Workmate
Capping off the upgrades that are dedicated to the flagship HiLux Rogue are wider wheel arch flares and mud flaps to accommodate for those greater track widths.
The Rogue isn’t the only HiLux variant that received updates for 2023.
Announced last year, the SR extra-cab and dual-cab models receive new 17-inch black alloy wheels, instead of the current 17-inch steel wheels, and body-coloured door handles.
The SR5 dual-cab pick-up gains critical active safety equipment such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. These safety features are also standard on the upgraded Rogue.
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HiLux SR
Other new features the SR5 dual-cab pick-up receives as part of this update will include a surround-view camera, as well as puddle lamps. Heated side mirrors have been deleted.
On automatic SR5 models and above, the steering column lock has been replaced by an ID Box anti-theft immobiliser which is claimed to add extra security for owners starting the ute with the key fob.
Pricing
4X2 Single Cab (cab-chassis)
- Workmate 2.7 manual: $25,375 (+$1150)
- Workmate 2.7 auto: $26,225 (+$1150)
- Workmate Hi-Rider 2.4 turbo-diesel manual: $30,615 (+$1150)
4×2 Extra Cab (pickup)
- SR Hi-Rider 2.8TD auto: $46,595 (+$500)
4×2 Double Cab (pickup)
- Workmate 2.7 manual: $34,855 (+$1150)
- Workmate 2.7 auto: $36,855 (+$1150)
- Workmate Hi-Rider 2.4TD auto: $43,945 (+$1150)
- SR Hi-Rider 2.8TD auto: $47,615 (+$500)
- SR5 Hi-Rider 2.8TD auto: $56,600 (+$900)
4×4 Single Cab (cab-chassis)
- Workmate 2.4TD manual: $40,405 (+$250)
- SR 2.8TD manual: $43,475 (+$250)
- SR 2.8TD auto: $45,475 (+$250)
4×4 Extra Cab (cab-chassis)
- Workmate 2.4TD auto: $46,105 (+$250)
- SR 2.8TD manual: $48,135
- SR 2.8TD auto: $50,135
4×4 Extra Cab (pickup)
- SR5 2.8TD auto: $59,410 (+$250)
4×4 Double Cab (cab-chassis)
- Workmate 2.4TD auto: $48,175 (+$250)
- SR 2.8TD manual: $50,395
- SR 2.8TD auto: $52,545
- SR5 2.8TD auto: $59,430 (+$250)
4×4 Double Cab (pickup)
- Workmate 2.4TD manual: $47,425
- Workmate 2.4TD auto: $49,425
- SR 2.8TD manual: $51,895
- SR 2.8TD auto: $54,045
- SR5 2.8TD manual: $59,930
- SR5 2.8TD auto: $61,930
- Rogue 2.8TD auto: $70,200
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Drivetrains
The most powerful engine in the 2023 Toyota HiLux range is a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which has 150kW of power (at 3400rpm) and 500Nm of torque (at 1600-2800rpm) when fitted with a six-speed automatic. Manual models develop 420Nm (at 1400-3400rpm).
Lower grades offer a 110kW/400Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, while the entry-level versions are fitted as standard with a 122kW/245Nm 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.
The smaller diesel makes peak power and torque at 3400rpm and 1600-2000rpm respectively, while the petrol does the same at 5200rpm and 4000rpm respectively.
Both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations are available throughout the line-up (see price list above), with manual and automatic transmissions offered for all powertrains.
Petrol models are fitted as standard with a five-speed manual transmission as standard while the diesels are mated to a six-speeder. A six-speed automatic is optional or standard depending on variant.
Efficiency
Fuel economy figures for the HiLux range are as follows:
- Petrol manual: 10.7-11.1 litres per 100km
- Petrol auto: 10.4-10.9 litres per 100km
- 2.4TD manual: 6.9-7.4 litres per 100km
- 2.4TD auto: 7.5-8.0 litres per 100km
- 2.8TD manual: 7.1-8.0 litres per 100km
- 2.8TD auto: 7.5-8.1 litres per 100km
These figures vary based on body style.
Dimensions
The HiLux’s measurements are dependent on which variant you choose.
Pickups are 5325mm long (except the Workmate Double Cab at 5330mm) and 1855mm wide (except the Single Cab and Workmate 4×2 Double Cab at 1800mm).
All variants have a 3085mm wheelbase, with ground clearance rated at 216mm for all variants bar 4×2 models with the base petrol engine (174mm).
Most dimensions for the Rogue have yet to be released, though it has a 140mm wider track and a 20mm higher ride height than other pickup models.
Braked towing capacity is 2500kg for petrol models, 2800kg for 4×2 diesels, and 3500kg for all 4×4 models.
Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) again depends on variant, rated between 2700kg and 3100kg.
Approach angle is 29 degrees for all models bar base 4×2 petrol models (23 degrees), while departure angle is between 20 and 27 degrees.
Wading depth is rated at 700mm, and the fuel tank is 80 litres.
Warranty and Servicing
The Toyota HiLux is covered by Toyota’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty which covers any Toyota-produced part, panel and accessory.
Engine and driveline warranty can be extended by another two years provided the vehicle is serviced according to schedule, and the car is backed by seven years of emergency assistance.
Service pricing is capped between $245 and $290 per visit for the first six visits, covering three years or 60,000km.
Maintenance is still required every six months or 10,000km, which is notably shorter than the usual 12 month/15,000km intervals offered by most rivals.
Safety
The Toyota HiLux wears a five-star ANCAP rating for vehicles sold from July 2019 onwards, scoring 96 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupants, 88 per cent for vulnerable road users and 78 per cent for safety assist.
All versions of the HiLux get a suite of Toyota Safety Sense technologies as standard, including AEB with pedestrian (day/night) and cyclist (day) detection, high-speed adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning with steering assist via brakes. Traffic sign recognition is also included.
SR5 4×4 models as well as auto-equipped SR 4×4 double cabs (including cab-chassis) feature hill descent control, while SR5 double- and extra-cab pick-ups have standard front and rear parking sensors.
All SR5 models gain blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert for 2023.
Standard Equipment
The Workmate comes standard with the following equipment:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Two-speaker sound system
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic headlights
- Air-conditioning
- Power windows
- Cloth upholstery
- Vinyl floors
- Halogen headlights and daytime running lights
- Reversing camera (Double Cab ute only)
- 16-inch wheels (17-inch in Double Cab, 4×4 variants)
The SR adds:
- Four- or six-speaker sound system (Extra Cab and Double Cab, respectively)
- Side steps
- Front air-conditioned cooler box
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Body-coloured door handles
The SR5 adds:
- LED headlights, daytime running lights and front fog lights
- Satellite navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Surround-view camera
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Privacy glass
- Dual-zone climate control air-conditioning
- Rear air vents (Double Cab only)
- Keyless entry and start
- Premium shifter and steering wheel
- Carpeted floors
- Chrome door handles
- Puddle lights
- 18-inch alloy wheels
The $2000 SR5+ package adds:
- Power driver’s seat
- Heated front seats
- Leather-accented upholstery.
In addition to its mechanical and aesthetic tweaks, the Rogue adds:
- Nine-speaker sound system (can be swapped for six-speaker for a $750 credit)
- Motorised roller cover
Colours
The 2023 HiLux comes standard with Glacier White paint, with the following exterior finishes optional:
- Graphite
- Silver Sky
- Eclipse Black
- Frosted White (SR5, Rogue)
- Nebula Blue (SR5, Rogue)
- Feverish Red (Rogue)
- Saturn Blue (Rogue)
- Oxide Bronze (Rogue)
MORE: Everything Toyota HiLux
