Toyota drops V6 from updated HiLux range
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 21st Sep 2017
Price of entry to the updated range remains unchanged at $20,990 plus on-roads for the 2.7-litre petrol 4x2 single-cab WorkMate manual, while the range-topping SR5+ 4x4 dual-cab auto has increased by $50 to $58,440.
SR 4x4 dual-cab variants have risen in price by $70, while all other HiLux models wearing the SR badge have decreased by $80.
A number of new turbo-diesel variants have been introduced to replace the 4.0-litre petrol V6, which accounted for less than 0.5 per cent of overall HiLux sales. Toyota also recently axed the V6 in the LandCruiser Prado.
Three new variants called Hi-Rider have been added to the 4x2 range, which gives the vehicle the higher stance of the 4x4 models without the all-paw driveline, and is available on extra-cab SR, as well as dual-cab WorkMate and SR5 HiLux vehicles.
4x4 Extra-cab variants with cab-chassis tray-back bodystyles have also been added consisting of automatic WorkMate, and manual and auto SR versions.
The sole pick-up extra-cab offering, the SR5 manual, has been swapped in favour of the six-speed auto.
Additions to the 4x4 dual-cab range include an entry-level WorkMate cab-chassis automatic, and two new double-cab pick-up variants called the SR+ manual and auto that add sat-nav and alloy wheels over the SR for a premium of $2000.
The range-topping SR5+ variant also adds power driver’s seat and leather-accented seats and trim.
While the number of variants offered remains steady at 31, vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission have risen from 12 to 17, reflecting consumer choice to favour the self-shifter.
Three carryover engine choices are available for the new HiLux range, with unchanged outputs from the outgoing versions.
The sole petrol offering is now the 2.7-litre aspirated four-cylinder found in 4x2 WorkMate utes, which develops 122kW at 5200rpm and 245Nm at 4000rpm, with an official fuel economy figure of 10.4 litres per 100km.
Powering WorkMate variants in both 4x2 and 4x4 guise is a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-pot, producing 110kW/343Nm for manual 4x2 single and dual-cab variants, with torque rising to 400Nm for all other applications.
The most powerful unit in the HiLux range is a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel unit, which makes 130kW and 450Nm teamed to the auto, down to 420Nm in six-speed manual variants.
Under the bonnet of the most popular SR5 4x4 dual-cab, the 2.8-litre sips 8.5L/100km of diesel with the auto, down to 7.6L/100km for the manual.
Braked towing capacity ranges from 2500kg in petrol WorkMate variants up to 3500kg for automatic 2.8-litre diesel models, while payload varies from 920kg to 1240kg.
Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the revised HiLux range was the result of careful market analysis.
“We are determined to ensure a strong final quarter in 2017 but these moves are not about short-term gains, they are the result of detailed analysis of buyer trends and feedback from dealers over the past two years,” he said.
“All the new variants have been introduced for specific reasons for example, SR buyers have told us they would prefer the durability and convenience of a PVC floor covering rather than carpet.
“We have reintroduced a 4x4 WorkMate double cab-chassis for those who want a value-for-money vehicle that gives them the flexibility to add a purpose-built tray that suits their needs.
“For similar reasons, we have brought back the SR extra cab-chassis in manual guise, which was available with the previous generation, and - for the first time – added an automatic version.”To the end of August, Toyota has sold 31,407 examples of the HiLux, putting it on track to go back-to-back as Australia’s best-selling vehicle for the year.
Steady year-on-year growth of 11.7 per cent for 4x2 variants and 14.4 per cent for 4x4 variants has assured the HiLux has remained ahead of its biggest rival, Ford’s Ranger which has sold 28,302 units.
The Ranger has trumped the HiLux for 4x4 sales with 24,257 compared to 23,132, but fell behind on 4x2 sales with 4045 units to 8275.
| 2017 Toyota HiLux pricing* | |
| 4x2 single-cab chassis | |
| WorkMate 2.7 P | $20,990 |
| WorkMate 2.7 P (a) | $22,990 |
| WorkMate 2.4 TD | $24,990 |
| 4x2 extra-cab pick-up | |
| Hi-Rider SR 2.8 TD (a) | $40,190 |
| 4x2 double-cab pick-up | |
| WorkMate 2.7 P | $30,690 |
| WorkMate 2.7 P (a) | $32,690 |
| WorkMate 2.4 TD | $33,990 |
| Hi-Rider WorkMate 2.4 TD (a) | $39,490 |
| Hi-Rider SR 2.8 TD | $39,910 |
| Hi-Rider SR 2.8 TD (a) | $41,910 |
| Hi-Rider SR5 2.8 TD (a) | $49,940 |
| 4x4 single-cab chassis | |
| WorkMate 2.4 TD | $36,990 |
| SR 2.8 TD | $39,410 |
| SR 2.8 TD (a) | $41,410 |
| 4x4 extra-cab chassis | |
| WorkMate 2.4 TD (a) | $42,490 |
| SR 2.8 TD | $42,910 |
| SR 2.8 TD (a) | $44,910 |
| 4x4 extra-cab pick-up | |
| SR5 2.8 TD (a) | $54,440 |
| 4x4 double-cab chassis | |
| WorkMate 2.4 TD (a) | $44,490 |
| SR 2.8 TD | $45,060 |
| SR 2.8 TD (a) | $47,060 |
| 4x4 double-cab pick-up | |
| WorkMate 2.4 TD | $43,990 |
| WorkMate 2.4 TD (a) | $45,990 |
| SR 2.8 TD | $46,560 |
| SR 2.8 TD (a) | $48,560 |
| SR+ 2.8 TD | $48,560 |
| SR+ 2.8 TD (a) | $50,560 |
| SR5 2.8 TD | $54,440 |
| SR5 2.8 TD (a) | $56,440 |
| SR5+ 2.8 TD | $56,440 |
| SR5+ 2.8 TD (a) | $58,440 |
