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First Drive Review: Toyota Hilux Mako

Wednesday, 30 September 2020

With $65,000 worth of mods and accessories, the Hilux Gladiator cost a hefty $120,000 when new. The Hilux Mako has been developed from that and costs a LOT less.
Subtle but menacing looks mark the Toyota Hilux Mako out as something special.
Subtle but menacing looks mark the Toyota Hilux Mako out as something special.
Toyota New Zealand certainly knows how to make an entrance.
Toyota New Zealand certainly knows how to make an entrance.

Product surprises are a rarity at modern media launches but Toyota delivered one at the recent 2021 Hilux event. Slung under New Zealand’s only Black Hawk helicopter, the special edition Hilux Mako was dropped into the Cape Egmont Boat Club. Mako becomes the new halo model for the 2021 Hilux range.

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Toyota's toughest ute with New Zealand’s toughest helicopter – the only Sikorsky Black Hawk in the country.

Toyota New Zealand has wanted an apex predator for the Hilux family with the high-ride ground clearance, uprated suspension and premium specification to rival the Ford Ranger Raptor, Nissan Navara N-Trek Warrior and the almost sold-out HSV SportsCat.

It has unveiled the Hilux Mako - a uniquely New Zealand name for the boldest and most aggressive Hilux yet – featuring Kiwi-customised enhancements to the standard Hilux.

On the inside the Hilux Mako gets a fat leather steering wheel and full leather sports seats.
On the inside the Hilux Mako gets a fat leather steering wheel and full leather sports seats.

It’s based on the MY21 Hilux SR5 Cruiser including the latest engine updates delivering 150kW output and 500Nm to combine with the enhanced off-road capability and cosmetic upgrades.

Toyota New Zealand deliberately waited till the MY21 changes came on-stream before announcing the Mako project.

The Mako build process is a Kiwi one. A standard Hilux SR5 Cruiser is sent to the TNZ facility at Thames for a four-day transformation by the same crew that custom-builds specially fitted out Hilux and Hiace models for fleet customers.

The Mako looks significantly tougher than the lesser Hilux behind it.
The Mako looks significantly tougher than the lesser Hilux behind it.

Key Mako components are an Australia-sourced ARB Old Man Emu suspension with an additional 40mm of lift in the front and 50mm in the rear. It includes the Old Man Emu BP-51 by-pass shock absorbers which feature adjustable compression and rebound damping control and a leaf spring upgrade. It’s the same spec that was used the locally built Hilux Gladiator concept.

Along with the suspension lift the Mako rides on Maxxis RAZR All Terrain tyres in 265/60 R18 sizing on 18-inch Black Rhino rims. Braking performance and pedal feel get uprated with the larger front discs from the Fortuner SUV along with stainless steel braided brake lines.

Visual changes include a unique painted steel bumper/hoop-less bull bar sourced from Australia’s Hilux Rugged-X model with an underbody bash plate and recovery hooks. There is an LED light bar, the integration of fog lamps into the main headlight unit, Mako-specific fender flares, a tinted front windscreen, non-slip side steps with Mako logo, lift/close assist for the tailgate and a deck liner as standard.

Chunky Maxxis all-terrain tyres and some serious ARB Old Man Emu suspension gives the Mako some formidable off-road abilities.
Chunky Maxxis all-terrain tyres and some serious ARB Old Man Emu suspension gives the Mako some formidable off-road abilities.

The cabin gets a thick rim leather steering wheel and a full leather sports seat upgrade with Mako emblems.

Toyota believes there is sales potential for about 250 units annually. Orders are being taken from October 1 with a $2500 deposit and the first deliveries are scheduled for February 2021.

The sole option on the Mako is a towbar, which you would get even if just for the awesome red tow-hooks it also brings.
The sole option on the Mako is a towbar, which you would get even if just for the awesome red tow-hooks it also brings.

The $79,990 pricing positions the Mako as $3000 more expensive than the Nissan Navara N-Trek Warrior but $5000 under the Ford Ranger Raptor.

Hilux Mako can be built in the Glacier White, Silver Sky, Graphite, Eclipse and Nebula Blue Hilux colours. The sole option is a $1500 tow bar and rear tow hook kit.

Where did you drive it?

After its fly-in premiere I got a brief opportunity behind the wheel. It wasn’t in the muddy stuff but a section of New Zealand’s most demanding tarmac rally stage along Carrington Rd near New Plymouth.

It wasn’t a test of the Mako’s off-road prowess but confirmed the uprated braking is a bonus, the suspension offers very effective body control on bumpy surfaces and through the twists and turns. The wide Maxxis All Terrain tyres still hold on confidently on damp tarseal.

The 15 per cent power boost and 10 per cent torque increase from the upgraded 2.8-litre diesel engine provide more flexibility and refinement on all Hilux six-speed auto models.

What stands out the most?

Bold styling that looks tough but isn’t over-stated is the starting point along with a supple suspension tune that copes well across lumpy road surfaces.

I spent most of the press drive day in mainstream Hilux models and the key benefits of improved refinement and throttle response, better fuel economy and quieter idling from the upgraded diesel apply equally to the Mako.

As do upgrades like the larger 8.0-inch touch screen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto (at last) which also transfer to the Mako.

Why would I buy it?

You can’t just yet but a $2500 deposit reserves a build in early 2021 with deliveries from February. One of the prime advantages over the Ford Ranger Raptor is no compromise of the 3500kg Hilux braked towing capacity (the Raptor has a reduced 2500kg rating).

Why wouldn’t I buy it?

It’s a $21,000 step from a Hilux SR5 Cruiser to the Mako.