2021 Toyota Hilux: Key highlights

The Toyota Hilux is one of the most formidable off-roading workhorses, engineered to conquer the world’s most extreme environments. Since its launch, the pickup has earned a stellar reputation and enjoys a diehard fan-following. To further increase the fanbase of this legendary pickup, Toyota gave it yet another refresh in June this year, which banged the Malaysian shores in October. The latest version brings on board more power and an even tougher design along with some significant safety updates.

In Malaysia, the automaker offers the 2021 Toyota Hilux in 5 variants, including single and double cab options. Following are the key highlights of the pickup:

Bold look

As a prominent off-roader, the pick-up sports a bolder appearance with a revamped front end and other stronger designing cues. It features a three-dimensional front grille, which is bigger and more angular than before and suits the truck’s stature. The LED headlight clusters coupled with L-shaped fog lamp surrounds are also more pronounced now, while the reshaped bumper round off the front styling of the truck. The Hilux Rogue also features black plastic bits on the nose and over-fenders for a muscular look. At the rear end, there are new and bolder ‘E 3’ LED signature tail-lamps.

Meaty alloy wheels

Only the single cab variant rides on 17-inch steel rollers, while 17- and 18-inch dual-tone, machine-finished alloys wheels are available for higher trims. The large alloys not only aid in better gripping on the roads but also goes well with the pickup’s sturdy stance that lends a commanding road presence.

Perfect off-roader

The pickup boasts an excellent ground clearance of 286 mm, tailored to tackle all kinds of terrains. The driver’s seat also offers higher visibility through a wide range of adjustability options. Also, the variable flow control (VFC) power steering provides more natural handling that varies the level of assistance to match high and low speeds. All these together make the pickup a perfect off-roader.

Tech-savvy cabin

When it comes to technology, Toyota has loaded its darling pickup truck with a number of tech goodies, these include:

• 8-inch touchscreen head unit with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto
• Optitron meters with a 4.2-inch colour multi-info display
• Smart entry and push start system
• USB ports
• Auto air-conditioning with rear AC vents
• 8-way power-adjustable driver seat 
• Front digital video recorder
• Illuminated door trim

More powerful engine

The range-topping Hilux Rogue is powered by a 2.8-litre turbo diesel mill that received improvement for 2021, resulting in a significant 27 PS and 50 Nm jump. The newly tuned version delivers a maximum power of 204 PS and a peak torque of 500 Nm. Despite the higher output, the fuel consumption of the mill has also been reduced by 4 percent to an average of 10.9 kmpl.

Toyota Safety Sense

For 2021, the Japanese automaker brings on board the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite for the first time in the Malaysian market. Exclusively available with the Hilux Rogue, it consists of: 

• Pre-Collision System: To prevent a frontal collision, this system alerts the driver with a buzzer and also applies the brakes if required.
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: This system automatically adjusts the pickup’s speed to maintain a safe distance on highways.
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: It detects lane markings and alerts the driver when the vehicle departs from the lane. It also provides corrective inputs to the steering wheel.

Impressive safety kit

Depending on the variant, the Hilux specs sheet includes a number of advanced safety features such as vehicle stability control, hill-start assist, emergency stop signal, reverse sensors, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. The lower trims come with three airbags (dual front, driver’s knee), while the top two versions get seven airbags, including side and curtain ones. 

5-star safety rating

The latest iteration also scored a shining five-star rating in the ASEAN NCAP crash test, indicating the fact that the pickup is shielded with multiple protective layers. With a total score of 87.46, the pickup gets 32.93 points (out of 36) in adult protection and 44.09 points (out of 49) in child occupant protection.

2021 Toyota Hilux price

Variant	Price (on-the-road without insurance)
Hilux Single Cab 2.4 (MT) 4X4	RM 92,880
Hilux Double Cab 2.4G (MT) 4X4	RM 111,880
Hilux Double Cab 2.4E (AT) 4X4	RM 108,880
Hilux Double Cab 2.4V (AT) 4X4	RM 133,880
Hilux Double Cab 2.8 Rogue (AT) 4X4	RM 146,880

In the end, we conclude that the all-new Toyota Hilux is a tough pickup that gives strong competition to the segment rivals with its robust engine, off-roading capabilities, and advanced technology features.

Also read: 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid received updates in the European market