AEB to be added to Toyota HiLux in Q4

TOYOTA Australia has confirmed that the market-leading HiLux ute will be upgraded in the fourth quarter this year with a new suite of advanced driver-assist systems, headlined by the crucial inclusion of autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

Speaking to GoAuto last week at the RAV4 national media launch in Adelaide, Toyota Australia vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley said the “technical change” is “mainly around safety” but still “quite significant”.

“Some time ago at a media launch, we indicated that major launches of Toyota will include TSS (Toyota Safety Sense),” he said. “This is just part of that cycle.”

Mr Hanley added that AEB with pedestrian (day/night) and cyclist (day) detection, and high-speed adaptive cruise control will be standard “right across” the HiLux range, among other active safety technologies.

The European-market model recently received a similar update that also bundled in lane-keep assist and speed sign recognition, both of which are expected to be available Down Under.

Toyota Australia public affairs manager Brodie Bott said: “It’ll be pretty much be the standard TSS, similar to what’s already on Corolla.”

Newer models such as the Camry mid-size sedan, Corolla small hatch and just-launched fifth-generation RAV4 mid-size SUV also feature steering assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, but these technologies are not offered with the European-market HiLux.

Either way, Toyota Australia’s move to add AEB to HiLux is significant and follows that of Ford Australia and its rival Ranger ute, which will also pick up the feature in June.

As a result, Ranger pricing will increase by $250 to $800, with HiLux likely to follow suit and attract a premium to compensate for its longer list of standard equipment.

This leaves Holden’s Colorado, Isuzu’s D-Max, Nissan’s Navara, Mazda’s BT-50 and Volkswagen’s Amarok as key utes still not available with AEB. Most of these will not receive it until their next-generation models arrive.

While it is likely that other changes are in store for HiLux, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support will not be part of this imminent update.

As reported, Toyota Australia’s forthcoming smartphone-mirroring upgrade is only available with its latest infotainment system, which to date is only fitted to Camry, Corolla and RAV4.

HiLux is on track this year to be Australia’s best-selling model again, with its 16,530 sales to the end of April representing a 1.8 per cent increase against a new-vehicle market that is down 8.1 per cent. Its closest challenger is Ranger (12,673, -7.3%).