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Toyota to unleash refreshed Hilux next month

Thursday, 27 August 2020

Watch F1 champ Fernando Alonso put the new 2020 Toyota Hilux through its paces.

Toyota's dealers are gearing up for a September roll-out of a significant refresh for the Hilux line-up.

The upgrades begin with a bold new frontal styling treatment and extend to a performance boost for the 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine (when matched to the automatic transmission), some suspension and steering tuning changes and new smartphone connectivity.

The new frontal treatment is applied to the “wide-body’’ SR, SR5 and SR5 Cruiser models while the entry level WorkMate remains visually unchanged.

The refreshed Hilux is nearly here, featuring a new front end and retuned engine.
The refreshed Hilux is nearly here, featuring a new front end and retuned engine.

The new grille, headlight and front bumper treatment looks similar to the limited edition TRD (Toyota Racing Developments) models that have been sold in recent years.

**READ MORE:

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The new model should be even more capable than its predecessor. Which means it’ll go damn near anywhere.
The new model should be even more capable than its predecessor. Which means it’ll go damn near anywhere.

* New vehicle sales in July are up

* Toyota Hilux TRD: from beauty to beefcake

**

The performance upgrade for the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel has seen power increase by 15 per cent to 150kW while peak torque on diesel automatic models has been ramped up by 11 per cent to 500Nm (but remains unchanged at 420Nm on manuals).

Toyota is hoping its updated ute will be able to knock the top-selling Ford Ranger off its throne.
Toyota is hoping its updated ute will be able to knock the top-selling Ford Ranger off its throne.

The increased output figures should make 2021 Hilux more competitive with the top-selling Ford Ranger.

The power increase is the result of modifications to the cylinder block, pistons, turbo design and cooling system. Accompanying the extra performance is a claimed 11 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency.

Toyota chief executive officer Neeraj Lala says the New Zealand commercial vehicle market is currently facing some challenges.

“The total commercial segment is down by 29.1 per cent year to date, but Toyota commercials are down just 16 per cent as loyal customers return to a brand they trust in tough times,’’ he said.

“This new model is hands down our best Hilux that we have introduced, and I am confident more customers will return to a brand that previously dominated the New Zealand landscape for more than three decades.”

New registration data for the first seven months of 2020 show the Hilux in second place behind the Ford Ranger. Compared to the full-year 2019 figures the Ranger’s share of the commercial sector has fallen slightly while the Hilux share has trended upward from 14 to 15 per cent.

The 2021 Hilux also introduces a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen display and many Hilux operators will welcome the long-awaited inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The multi-information display has been revised with new information screens including a digital speedometer display.

All Hilux variants continue to be equipped as standard with the Toyota Safety Sense technologies. The package includes a pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with yaw assist and road sign assist.

The line-up continues to offer 18 variants split into eight 2WD models and 10 4WD models. The pair of lower-riding 2WD WorkMate models in Single Cab/chassis or Double Cab ute configuration with sub-$30K pricing are powered by the 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

All other Hilux models – a mix of SR, SR5 and premium SR5 Cruiser grades – are powered by the upgraded 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine. Toyota has retained six models with manual transmission.

Pricing begins at $28,990 for the WorkMate Single cab/chassis model and the price range stretches to $58,990 for the flagship SR5 Cruiser Double Cab with automatic transmission.

In common with Toyota passenger cars the Hilux Drive-away pricing includes all on road costs; WOF, registration, 1000kms of Road User Charges (RUC), a full tank of fuel, the Toyota Care Service Advantage fixed price servicing package, floor mats, and three years/100,000km warranty.

The 2020 Toyota Hilux variants are priced at: