Toyota boosts double-cab HiLux range

TOYOTA has rounded out its updates to the HiLux workhorse range with extra safety and comfort features for its double-cab variants, bringing with them price hikes of between $500 and $1000.

The boost in standard and optional gear follows a similar update to single- and extra-cab variants in November last year that added between $250 and $1250 to the price.

Mimicking some of the updates to the HiLux single and extra cab, Toyota has replaced the old four-speed automatic transmission in all 4x4 diesel variants with a new five-speed auto that the company says improves fuel economy by six per cent to 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle.

Updates to the double-cab variants include new interior materials and trim colours and a new 6.1-inch audio display.

At the top of the range, SR5 variants now feature a reversing camera and sat-nav with SUNA live traffic updates as standard that are both viewable on the 6.1-inch screen.

While 14 variants are powered by the 126kW/343Nm four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel engine, four are powered by 175kW/376Nm 4.0-litre V6 petrol unit and the remainder feature Toyota's 116kW/240Nm 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

Kicking off the 4x2 double-cab pick-up range is the 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol Workmate from $27,490 plus on-road costs, which is up by $500, while the 4.0-litre V6 petrol SR5 matched with an automatic transmission tops the 4x2 range at $45,990, representing a $1000 hike.

The sole 4x4 cab chassis model is available in 3.0-litre turbo-diesel SR guise with a five-speed manual gearbox and is up by $500 to $40,990.

Four-wheel-drive pick-up variants start from $42,490 for the diesel manual SR that has copped a $500 increase, and tops out at $54,490 for the V6 petrol SR5 auto – up $1000.

Options include premium paint on any variant for $550 and leather-accented seats on 4x4 SR5 diesel pick-ups for an extra $1500, while air conditioning is still an option on Workmate and SR variants for $2051 which includes installation.

The 11 double-cab variants add to the six single-cab and five extra-cab models for a total of 22 HiLux variants available in Australia.

Last year, the ANCAP crash safety rating for all 4x4 HiLux variants was lifted from four to five stars following the inclusion of extra safety gear including seat-belt reminders, improved knee protection and a successful side pole impact test.

The entire HiLux range is also covered by Toyota's capped-price servicing program that ensures an individual service will cost no more than $170 for the first three years or 60,000km, whichever occurs first.

Toyota Australia executive director of sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the additions to the HiLux range will ensure it remains competitive against its main rivals.

“HiLux is popular throughout Australia and these improvements will be welcomed by a wide range of users including mine workers, farmers and other businesspeople who require a tough, reliable vehicle,” he said.

“Families will also appreciate the added safety, technology and other features that make travelling in a HiLux even more comfortable.” The HiLux was the top-selling light-commercial vehicle in Australia last year with sales 39,931 units, beating out strong competition in the form of the aging Mitsubishi Triton (24,512) and Nissan Navara (24,108) as well as the Australian-engineered Ford Ranger (21,752).

2014 Toyota HiLux pricing*

4X2 Pick-Up
2.7 petrol	$27,490	+$500
2.7 petrol (a)	$29,740	+$750
3.0 diesel SR	$33,990	+$1000
4.0 V6 petrol SR (a)	$38,490	+$1000
4.0 V6 petrol SR5 (a)	$45,990	+$1000
4X4 Cab-Chassis
3.0 diesel SR	$40,990	+$500
4X4 Pick-Up
3.0 diesel SR	$42,490	+$500
3.0 diesel SR (a)	$45,240	+$750
3.0 diesel SR5	$51,740	+$750
3.0 diesel SR5 (a)	$54,490	+$1000
4.0 V6 petrol SR5 (a)	$54,490	+$1000

*Excludes on-road costs.