TOYOTA HiLux SR5 4x4 comes with the choice of three engines - the 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol, 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel and the 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. The test vehicle ran the turbo-diesel engine, which develops 85kW of power at 3500rpm and 315Nm of torque at a low 2000rpm. The engine operates two valves per cylinder, driven by a single overhead camshaft, and uses indirect-type fuel injection. While some of Toyota's competitors have moved to introduce multi-valve engines and intercoolers to boost engine output figures, none, as yet, can match this basic four-cylinder turbo-diesel for torque - although the Nissan Navara comes as close as you can get at 314Nm. The engine revs freely to 4000rpm before approaching the redline end of the tachometer but gearshifts are generally made between 2000rpm and 3000rpm, which is lower than the smaller capacity diesels as the 3.0-litre engine produces the required torque and power for less effort. The engine rattles a little down low but once it begins to spin it smoothes out and rewards its driver with adequate acceleration, pulling out of corners with ease and keeping pace with the traffic. The turbine shaft is oil cooled from the engine reservoir and care must be taken - to avoid turbine heat stress - not to shut the engine down too quickly after periods of driving with high engine load. The engine is smooth and responsive and can return an average fuel economy figure of about 11.5L/100km. No official fuel economy figures are available for light commercial diesels, but they are generally the most economical form of engine and are best suited to towing and carrying heavy loads due to their high torque output or pulling power. Toyota recommends service intervals of 10,000km.