Pegasus Post: January 25, 2024

8 Thursday January 25 2024
Incorporating
best motorbuys
www.drivesouth.co.nz
Hilux overhaul results in a more supple drive
TOYOTA IS looking to rival the
top selling new Ford Ranger with
some upgrades to its current
Hilux, launched in 2015.
With an all-new replacement
still 18 months away this
version is feeling the sales heat
from a bevy of newer rivals.
The reputation that surrounds
the Hilux brand and the loyal
customer base will help it in
the sales scrap. However, that
will only go so far, and Toyota
Motoring with Bob Nettleton
has responded with some
worthwhile changes to its
flagship Hilux 4WD SR5
Cruiser.
The major talking point is the
upgraded suspension and wider
track, with increases of around
140mm front and rear. One thing
you notice almost immediately
is the substantial 20mm increase
in rise height to around 250mm.
This should be plenty for
more adventurous owners to
comfortably navigate
even the trickiest
cross-country
terrain.
To accommodate
the track increase,
Toyota engineers
overhauled the
suspension, with
the Hilux sporting a
rear stabilizer bar for
the first time. How
radical is that! As a result of a
bevy of suspension changes, roll
rigidity has been enhanced by 20
per cent, improving steering feel
when cornering.
More effective stopping
power is provided by new rear
ventilated disc brakes in place of
the former drum brake set-up,
while slightly larger front disc
brakes are convincing show
stoppers.
Those seeking a more
upmarket ute will find it in the
premium $63,390 SR5 Cruiser
six-speed automatic being
reviewed here.
Ample power is provided
by Toyota’s super dependable
150kW 2.8-litre turbo-diesel.
There’s an abundance of low
speed pulling power with
500Nm more torque than the
motor it replaced three years
ago. On the open road, the
engine is strong and effortless in
everything it does.
In low speed town driving,
I felt noise levels were overly
intrusive for a premium ute.
The motor revels in off-road
terrain with plenty of throttle
response and pulling power.
The six-speed automatic is an
oldie but definitely a goodie and
perfectly paired to the motor –
and it should be, as they’ve been
working as a top-notch gear
changing combo for eight years.
Thanks to the wide body
enhancements the double cab
feels bigger and more generously
provisioned than before. It’s
loaded with car-like features
such as a driver seat height
adjustment, and there is a
telescopic and height adjustable
steering column. The steering
wheel houses multi-media and
phone controls with Bluetooth
capability. The touchscreen has
been upgraded and the audio
system now includes Apple
CarPlay® and Android AutoTM.
The premium ute push
continues with niceties such
as push button engine start,
carpeted cabin, satellite
navigation, LED daytime
running lights and chrome
exterior door handles. Standard
features include a 9-speaker
audio system, 18-inch alloys,
leather seating, full-size alloy
spare wheel and a driver seats
with 8-way power adjustments.
Ratings out of 10:
Performance 7; Handling
7; Build Quality 7; Comfort
6; Space 6; Avg fuel
consumption on road
test – 10.1L/100km; Value
for Money 7; Safety – Five
Star ANCAP crash rating.
Overall points out of
10: 7
There’s an equally impressive
arsenal of safety kit. This is
delivered by Toyota’s acclaimed
Safety Sense package that adds
a pre-collision system with
autonomous emergency braking
for vehicles, pedestrians and
cyclists, plus dynamic radar
cruise control, lane departure
alert and road sign assist. A
reversing camera takes out the
guesswork when reversing.
Drivability would go up a
level or two if more work went
into tuning the steering, so it’s
sharper and more responsive.
It lacks those two critical
ingredients, and consequently
is off the class-leading ride
and handling pace set by the
excellent Ford Ranger.
Finance
available
(conditions apply)
CARS WANTED
– CASH PAID
We buy small
Japanese vehicles
- Must be tidy
4 IN STOCK
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- 281 Ferry Road - 03 389 1121 - dougdrake@xtra.co.nz www.dougdrake.co.nz