Selwyn Times: September 12, 2018

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Wednesday September 12 2018 29
Motoring
Upgrade to Toyota Hilux range
should win back market share
• By Ross Kiddie
WHEN I have a ute/pick-up to
evaluate I at least try to make
some effort to put it to some
work.
There’s a lot foliage on the
Kiddie-family property, so I
intended to spend a weekend
clearing shrubs and a few tree
branches that were overhanging
the house.
However, rain put paid
to that plan and other than
disposing a load of lawn clippings
from the week prior, the
totally refreshed Toyota Hilux
didn’t do a lot of work during
the time it was in my care.
Incidentally, the test ute was a
cab-chassis double-cab model
fitted with a New Zealandmade
flatdeck, the entire range
receiving mechanical and
specification upgrades.
Toyota introduced the new
shape Hilux in late 2015 and
it arrived with a fresh engine
courtesy of its stablemate, the
Prado.
I’m a big fan of the new
engine, even though it is smaller
in capacity than the previous
unit – down to 2.8-litre
from 3-litre, but it is stronger
and more economical.
In terms of figures, the
Hilux is rated at 130kW and
420Nm. In line with modern
trends, the power outputs are
developed wonderfully low, the
turbocharged diesel develops
most of its torque between
1400rpm and 2600rpm, almost
meeting the point of maximum
power at 3400pm.
Toyota have covered all bases
with the new generation models.
There are a total of 21 variants
if you take into account
special edition models that
have just been released.
It would be fair to say that
if I was a Hilux buyer I’d be
opting for a two-wheel-drive
model, but for those who need
the benefit of drive to each
corner there are 16 models to
TOYOTA HILUX: Cab-chassis model offers many deck variations.
choose from.
Even with the appalling
weather, I did take the time
to travel most of my normal
high country route, clocking
up around 250km in total. I
usually travel west, and my
journey this time took in the
scenic roads of State Highway
72 to Glenroy
and back
home through
Hororata.
The Hilux
travels quietly at
open road speed,
just a slight hum
from under the
bonnet reminding
the occupants
that a big
compression
ignition engine
lurks there.
However, the
ride is wonderful, one of the
upgrades included creating
greater occupant comfort and
it certainly shows. It’s hard to
get your head around the fact
that the suspension harks back
decades, the load bearing live
rear axle is still located by leaf
springs, although the front
• Price – Toyota Hilux
double cab 4WD,
$54,890
• Dimensions –
Length, 5265mm;
width, 1855mm;
height, 1825mm
• Configuration –
Four-cylinder, fourwheel-drive,
2755cc,
130kW, 420Nm, sixspeed
manual.
• Fuel usage –
9l/100km
suspension is an independent
double wishbone system.
Sure, there is a bit of a jiggle
over uneven surfaces, all utes
do that and it is to be expected,
you can’t have a go-anywhere
chassis behave with the refinement
of a sedan.
That statement comes with
a reminder that
the Hilux is a
workhorse and
its primary role
is to do all those
things that utes
do in a daily role.
I didn’t take
the test car offroad,
but I did
tackle a short
cross-country
track near
Hororata. It was
an old forestry
road which ends
through a small ford which
was no match for the test car, I
didn’t have to use low ratio or
any other of the Hilux’s comprehensive
drive and electronic
grip enhancing systems.
For the record, it gets hill
descent control and hill assist
control while for safety there is
also vehicle stability control and
trailer sway control; the latter,
incidentally, can account for a up
to 3500kg on the new model.
A few of the major on-board
specification items include
central screen display graphics,
cruise control, eco and power
mode engine/transmission
selections, central locking and
rear view camera.
That’s a good level of kit for
a ute, and some may argue that
at $54,890 the Hilux in this
form needs to be well specced.
There’s a lot of competition,
and although the Hilux by reputation
has an enviable record
for longevity, buyers like to
have all the bells and whistles
on all purchases these days.
There’s a huge battle in the
light commercial market place.
Toyota will be a little disappointed
their grasp on the top
selling ute spot has long since
fallen to Ford and its Ranger.
Nevertheless, Toyota is doing
everything it can to claw back
market share in a time when
there’s a plethora of utes flooding
the new vehicle market.
The upgrades will certainly
help Hilux in that respect.
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