Toyota Hilux

All the variants of the Toyota Hilux have an asymmetric layout for the dashboard, with the pickup having an all-black theme as standard in all the variants. The higher-spec GR-S, Rogue, and V AT variants also get contrast silver highlights and leather upholstery - GR Sport Combination Leather & Suede in GR-S, black and grey perforated combination leather in Rogue, and black combination leather in the V AT. 

The GR-S, Rogue, and V-AT variants of the Hilux come with the Optiron instrument console with a 4.2-inch TFT MID and an asymmetric centre console that has horizontally laid AC vents at the top, infotainment system in the middle, and climate control buttons at the bottom. The co-passenger side of the dashboard has a curved design, while housing dual gloveboxes. The GR-S, Rogue, and V-AT variants also get 60:40 split rear seats for added practicality. 

Pros and Cons:

Pro: Premium-looking leather finish in higher variants

Con: The instrument console looks slightly dated

Features and Technology

While the Toyota Hilux might not be the benchmark in comfort and convenience features among all the mid-size pickup trucks, its does get a majority of the modern equipment that makes it feel premium on the inside, especially the higher-spec GR-S and Rogue variants.

The GR-S, Rogue and V-AT variants of the Hilux come with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, ambient lighting, front digital video recorder, smart keyless entry with push start-stop button, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear AC vents, remote engine start, wireless charger (not in V AT) and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The lower-spec E AT, E MT, and Single Cab variants get a more basic instrument console, manual AC, optional front digital video recorder (not in Single Cab), and a 2-DIN audio system with CD, MP3, Aux-in, USB, and Bluetooth support.

While the Single Cab variant gets a 2-speaker audio system and tilt adjustable steering wheel, all the other variants get a 6-speaker audio system, drive modes (Normal, Eco and Power), tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, optional rear digital video recorder, and USB charging ports. The steering wheel comes with audio and Bluetooth controls from the E MT variant, MID controls from the V AT variant, and adaptive cruise control and lane departure alert buttons in GR-S and Rogue variants. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Nicely loaded higher-spec variants 

Con: Mid-spec variants feel very basic by modern standards

Boot Space and Storage

Practicality in the cabin of the Toyota Hilux is pretty decent, with the pickup truck having usable storage spaces, including cup holders in the lower front centre console and rear centre armrest, a small storage space near the handbrake lever, space beneath the front centre armrest, bottle holders in all four doors, map pockets in front doors and dual gloveboxes in the co-passenger side of the dashboard. 

While the Double Cab versions have a deck lid measuring 1,525 mm long, 480 mm tall, and 1,540 mm wide, the Single Cab variant has a slightly larger deck lid, measuring 2,315 mm long, 480 mm tall, and 1,575 mm wide. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Usable storage spaces in the cabin

Con: Rear doors could have bigger pockets

The Toyota Hilux comes with a commanding stance, with a heightened look and robustness in its visual appeal, especially in the higher-spec variants.

The front profile of the Toyota Hilux has wraparound trapezoidal headlamps as standard, which have halogen multi-reflector headlamps with follow-me function in Single Cab, E MT and E AT variants, and automatic bi-LED projectors with follow-me-home function in V AT, Rogu,e and GR-S variants.

Talking about the front grille, which has a trapezoidal design, has an all-black theme in the Single Cab, dark grey theme in E MT and E AT, chrome theme in V AT, dark grey with black theme in the Rogue, and gloss black theme in the GR-S variants.

Adding more distinctiveness to the exterior design is the appearance of the front and rear bumpers – the GR-S gets body-coloured front and black rear bumpers, the Rogue gets dark grey and black front and grey rear bumpers, the V AT variant has body-coloured front and chrome rear bumpers, the E AT and E MT variants having body coloured front and grey rear bumpers and single Cab having black front and grey rear bumpers. 

The higher-spec V AT, Rogue, and GR-S variants also get LED DRLs, front and rear LED fog lamps, and power-adjustable and foldable rearview mirrors, with the Rogue and GR-S further benefiting with wheel arch mouldings. All the variants of the Toyota Hilux also have vertically aligned LED tail lamps on the sides of the deck lid. 

The GR-S, Rogue, and V AT variants of the Toyota Hilux have 18-inch highway terrain tyres and 18-inch alloy wheels, with all three variants having specific designs for their alloy wheels. Meanwhile, the E AT, E MT, and Single Cab versions come with 17-inch all-terrain tyres, with E AT and E MT variants also getting 17-inch alloy wheels.

Pros and cons:

Pro: Butch and imposing design, especially of the GR-S and Rogue variants

Cons: Higher-spec variants could have had bigger alloys

Among both the engine options, the smaller 2.4-litre four-cylinder diesel engine is the more fuel-efficient, with an economy of around 11.7 kmpl. The bigger 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine has an overall fuel efficiency of 10.9 kmpl, with a pretty decent economy achievable on highways. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Decent fuel efficiency on highways

Con: City efficiency of the 2.8-litre diesel engine is low

Equipped with a four-wheel drive system with automatic disconnecting differential and rear differential lock as standard, the Toyota Hilux is an invincible thing to drive in tougher terrains and off-road surfaces. The GR-S, Rogue and V AT variants of the Toyota Hilux have auto limited-slip differential for more off-road worthiness. 

Adding more ruggedness to the overall abilities of the Toyota Hilux is its hugely capable suspension setup, comprising independent double wishbone with coil springs and stabilizer at the front and rigid axle with leaf springs at the rear. Also, while the Single Cab version has a turning radius of 6.1 metres, all other variants have a slightly larger turning radius of 6.4 metres. 

Pros and Cons:

Pro: Standard four-wheel drive system with automatic disconnecting differential and rear differential lock

Con: Stiff and bouncy low-speed ride quality 

The Toyota Hilux lineup in Malaysia is available with two diesel engine options. The higher-spec GR-S and Rogue variants come with a larger and more powerful 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, which generates 224 bhp and 550 Nm in GR-S and 204 bhp and 500 Nm in Rogue variants. Both these variants come with a 6-speed automatic transmission, with the GR-S also available with paddle shifters. 

The rest of the variants of the Toyota Hilux get a 2.4-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, which produces 150 bhp of maximum power and 450 Nm of maximum torque outputs. This engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission in V AT and EAT variants and a 6-speed manual transmission in E MT and Single Cab variants. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Torquey diesel engines and reliable transmission choices

Con: Both diesel engines feel noisy at higher RPMs

All the variants of the Toyota Hilux have a few safety features offered as standard, including dual front and driver knee airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, vehicle stability control and traction control. Features like reverse parking sensors, ISOFIX mounts for child seats are offered from E MT variant onwards.

The mid-spec E MT and E AT variants also getting blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, reverse camera and panoramic view monitor as optional, with these features offered as standard in V AT, Rogue and GR-S variants. The Rogue and GR-S variants further come with more ADAS features like pre-collision system, lane departure alert, dynamic radar cruise control and downhill assist control. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Optional features offered in mid-spec variants

Con: Higher-spec variants could have had more ADAS features

Competitor Comparison

The Toyota Hilux is one of the most popular offerings in the mid-size pickup segment, which also has a few more noteworthy names like Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max, Nissan Navara, Peugeot Landtrek, and JAC T9. 

Conclusion and Final Verdict

Over all these decades, the Toyota Hilux has earned a solid reputation as a dependable pickup truck, which is massively reliable and durable even in the worst of usage conditions. The Malaysian-spec model, too, retains these virtues, courtesy of its rugged chassis and durable choices of powertrains and transmissions. The interior has begun to show its age, with the cabin missing out on some of the fancy features that have started being offered by the rivals. However, the exterior of the Toyota Hilux further strengthens its commanding persona, especially that of the Rogue and GR-S variants.