Toyota ups spec and price on HiLux variants
BY TIM NICHOLSON | 1st Nov 2013
All two-wheel and four-wheel drive variants of both body-styles benefit from the slight upgrade that includes a new 6.1-inch audio display screen with Bluetooth connectivity, auxiliary and USB jacks and steering-wheel mounted audio controls.
Higher-spec SR and SR5 variants get multi-function display, phone and voice recognition controls on the steering wheel, while a reversing camera and sat-nav is standard on SR5 only.
Toyota has upgraded the automatic transmission in the 126kW/343Nm turbo-diesel from a four-speed to five-speed unit, matching the ratios of the petrol variants.
Other improvements include refreshed interior colours and materials, with extra cab variants featuring a black cabin, while the single cab has black and grey colours.
The 4x4 SR5 extra cab gets an upgrade from 15- to 17-inch alloy wheels and all-wheel drive SR variants get 17-inch all-terrain tyres.
Toyota said in a statement that double cab variants are also expected to be revised from January next year, with further details of the updates available closer to the on-sale date.
Pricing has been adjusted to reflect the updates, with a rise of between $250 and $1250 depending on the variant.
Kicking off the range is the 4x2 2.7-litre and 3.0-litre petrol Workmate manual single cabs that maintain their price of $18,990 and $24,490 plus on-roads respectively.
Further up the range the 4.0-litre petrol V6 SR auto extra cab is up by $1250 to $32,240, while the 3.0-litre diesel manual SR extra cab has risen by the same amount and now costs $33,240.
A number of 3.0-litre diesel variants are up by $1000 each including the SR extra cab chassis with a manual gearbox ($39,490), the SR manual extra cab pickup ($40,990) and the manual SR5 extra cab pick-up ($47,990).
Metallic paint is a $475 option on all variants while air conditioning on Workmate and SR models will set you back $2051.
Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the updates to the HiLux will ensure it remains the most popular workhorse on the local market.
“The improvements for HiLux will be appreciated by mining and other sectors such as primary producers, as well as by private customers who like the flexibility that comes with their weekday workhorse,” he said.
”With customer preference in the HiLux market strongly slanted towards diesel engines, we have also taken the opportunity to respond by adopting a more focused line-up, particularly with fewer V6 petrol variants.” Australia’s top-selling light commercial ute received a boost in September this year when ANCAP lifted the crash safety rating of 4x4 single cab and extra cab variants from four to five stars, following safety upgrades to the ute that included seat belt reminders and improved knee protection.
Toyota confirmed in July that it had discontinued a number of petrol HiLux variants across all body styles due to slowing sales, as Australians continue to pursue diesel options in the light commercial segment.
| 2013 Toyota HiLux pricing* | |
| 4x2 Single Cab Chassis | |
| 2.7L petrol Workmate | $18,990 |
| 2.7L petrol Workmate (a) | $21,240 (+$250) |
| 3.0L diesel Workmate | $24,490 |
| 3.0L diesel SR | $27,990 (+$1000) |
| 4x2 Extra Cab Pick-up | |
| 4.0L V6 petrol SR (a) | $32,240 (+$1250) |
| 3.0L diesel SR | $33,240 (+1250) |
| 4x4 Single Cab Chassis | |
| 3.0L diesel SR | $35,490 (+$500) |
| 3.0L diesel SR (a) | $38,240 (+$750) |
| 4x4 Extra Cab Chassis | |
| 3.0L diesel SR | $39,490 (+$1000) |
| 4x4 Extra Cab Pick-up | |
| 3.0L diesel SR | $40,990 (+$1000) |
| 3.0L diesel SR5 | $47,990 (+$1000) |
