Articles by Byron Mathioudakis

The Toyota HiLux Rugged X is the current flagship, and the off-road version of the ninth-gen range.Taking aim at the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, it starts from $71,990 (all prices are before on-road costs), and is a 4x4 automatic only.Based on the SR5 specification, Rugged X equipment levels are adequate if not generous.They include LED lighting, 12.3-inch instrumentation display, a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, sat-nav, keyless entry and push-button start, heated seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, bolstered front seats, a surround-view monitor, voice command, smartphone charger, USB-C ports front and back, rear-seat armrests, privacy glass, and electric park brake and 18-inch alloy wheels.In line with its adventure-seeking attitude, the Rugged X also features a 300-watt inverter, side steps, a locking tailgate, tyre-pressure monitors, damped tailgate on pick-up, side-step entry into the tub, four-wheel disc brakes, standard towbar, multi-terrain monitor, an emergency driving stop system that safely stops the vehicle if the driver becomes incapacitated, connected services for emergency callouts, eight airbags where possible including a front-centre airbag, and Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) technologies like AEB, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot warning.Only the Rugged X gets a unique front-end treatment, boasting a hoop-less bullbar with bash plate and LED light bar, as well as a bedliner, unique sports bar, special decals and a towing trailer wiring harness.  Toyota’s venerable (1GD-FTV) 2.8-litre common-rail twin-cam four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine lives over the front axle, giving 150kW of power and 500Nm. The transmission is a six-speed auto.Additionally, there’s 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, courtesy of an 8.5kW/65Nm electric motor generator and small lithium-ion battery combo, for smoother and faster stop/start performance, while also helping to cut fuel consumption.The 0-100km/h sprint-time is about 11 seconds while top speed is 176km/h.The 4x4 set-up is a part-time system with high- and low-ratio off-road gearing, a rear differential lock, downhill-assist control and multi-terrain mode. Note that all 4x4s bring 3500kg of braked trailer towing capacity.Finally, the official combined-average fuel consumption figure is 7.6L/100km for the auto (equalling 201g/km of CO2 emissions). Over 1000km between refills of the 80-litre fuel tank is possible.

Billed as the luxury version of the long-lived Japanese ute series out of Thailand, the Toyota HiLux Rogue 4x4 consequently is aimed at lifestyle-orientated buyers rather than those wanting a workhorse.

Available as a variant since the late 1970s, the Toyota HiLux SR5 4x4 is the mid-grade model in the ninth-gen ute line-up, and the least-expensive for consumers seeking a lifestyle-orientated ute rather than just a hard-working workhorse.With no 4x2s on the horizon, three SR5 Double cab 4x4 models have landed from launch, kicking off with the pick-up manual from $63,990 (all prices are before on-road costs), Cab-chassis 48V auto from $64,490 and Double Cab pick-up 48V auto from $65,990.Unlike the Workmate and SR, the SR5 forsakes the workhorse heavy-duty suspension for a HiLux series-first soft suspension tune specifically developed to address ongoing criticism of noise, vibration and harshness in older versions. That said, braked trailer towing capacity remains at 3500kg.The target market is likely to lap that up, along with the SR5’s fancier LED lighting, 12.3-inch instrumentation display, privacy glass, electric park brake, heated seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, four-wheel disc brakes, 18-inch alloys, standard towbar, multi-terrain monitor and emergency driving stop system that safely stops the vehicle if the driver becomes incapacitated. There’s also a 'Premium Pack' that adds powered seats, leather trim and premium audio.Of course, the SR5 also scores the usual items like keyless entry and push-button start, bolstered front seats, a surround-view monitor, voice command, smartphone charger, four USB-C ports, rear-seat armrests, a 300-watt inverter, side steps, a locking tailgate, tyre-pressure monitors, a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, sat-nav, damped tailgate on pick-up, side-step entry into the tub, connected services for emergency callouts, up to eight airbags where possible including a front-centre airbag, and Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) technologies like AEB, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot warning.Under the bonnet is Toyota’s (1GD-FTV) 2.8-litre common-rail twin-cam four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, delivering 150kW of power, and either 420Nm of torque in the six-speed manual version or 500Nm in the six-speed automatic.SR5 48V autos use Toyota’s 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, courtesy of an 8.5kW/65Nm electric motor generator and small lithium-ion battery combo, for smoother and faster stop/start performance, while also helping to cut fuel consumption.The 0-100km/h sprint-time is about 11 seconds while top speed is 176km/h.The 4x4 set-up is a part-time system with high- and low-ratio off-road gearing, a rear differential lock, downhill-assist control and multi-terrain mode. Note that across the whole HiLux range, 4x2s have a 2900kg braked trailer towing capacity with 4x4s at 3500kg.Finally, the SR5’s official combined-average fuel consumption figures are 7.1 litres per 100km (for a carbon dioxide rating of 187g/km) for the manual and 7.4L/100km for the auto (equalling 196g/km of CO2 emissions). Over 1000km between refills of the 80-litre fuel tank is possible.

Toyota will be breaking new ground with the upcoming HiLux battery electric vehicle (BEV in Toyota-speak).Due on sale by about March, with pricing and specification details to be revealed sooner, it will be the first-ever proper body-on-frame EV ute with all-wheel drive in Australian motoring history, with twin electric motors providing all-wheel drive.This is a shock move for a company that has been criticised for dragging its heels on the EV front in other areas of the market, waiting until the start of 2024 to release its first such vehicle in the bZ4X. For the record, the discontinued LDV eT60 released here in 2022 was rear-wheel-drive-only, while the new KGM Musso EV is of SUV-based monocoque construction.Additionally, while essentially an extensive top-and-tail facelift of the previous-generation HiLux, the BEV joins its diesel stablemates in having its front and rear ends designed in Melbourne for the rest of the world.A project led by Toyota in Thailand, where the HiLux range has been manufactured for more than 20 years, there has also been plenty of Australian input to ensure that the electric ute can perform to expectations within the parameters of its EV powertrain.This includes extensive hot-weather testing and dust-sealing effectiveness, as well as air-conditioning performance.However, the HiLux BEV will only have a (provisional) 2000kg braked towing capacity for Australia (in Europe it’s 1600kg), against its diesel 4x4 sibling’s 3500kg, whilst payload is also down, to just 715kg.As such, Toyota admits its first electric ute will be a niche vehicle, starting off with very modest sales and aimed at specific organisations and individuals who do not need a vehicle capable of long-distance driving.“We are not going in with any massive volume expectations,” admitted Toyota Motor Company Australia (TMCA) Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley.“Its existence is not contingent of selling thousands. It's a different approach. Does that mean that it won't exist in a year or two? No, not at all.”Australian-market technical details are yet to be confirmed, but in Europe and elsewhere, the HiLux BEV is fitted with a 59.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and relying on a 144kW electric motor on each axle (making 205Nm and 268Nm of torque respectively), for AWD.Range is just 240km (WLTP) as a result of its modest battery pack, though the company claims that fast charging is the priority, as its buyer base seeks “to minimise vehicle down-time” – 10-80 per cent in about half an hour using a 150kW DC charger and 10-100 per cent in 6.5 hours with an AC charger.Toyota Australia is only quoting the more-lenient NEDC range figure at this stage, which is 315km.Unlike the HiLux diesel, the BEV switches from a part-time 4WD system to a full-time AWD set-up, with a multi-terrain system offering Rock, Sand, Mud, Dirt and Moguls modes. Toyota claims it matches the others with a 700mm wading depth, 29-degree approach and 25-degree departure angles and 218mm of ground clearance.The BEV can achieve the same strength and capability of its diesel counterpart, but it also has limitations due to it being electrified, according to Toyota Australia Senior Manager for Vehicle Evaluation and Regulations Ray Munday.“The program has been quite a challenge for all the design and engineering side,” he revealed. “As part of the multi-pathway, not every car can do every job, which is why we’re going down that road. Not every car can drive a very long way, for example.”As a result, Toyota expects a very specific group will gravitate to HiLux BEV initially, who have already weighed up the pros and cons of going full EV.“There is a very strong element within HiLux sales in places like mine sites, construction sites, airports,” Munday added.“Where there is not long-distance driving, but they’re still driving areas where they have to be super-reliable… durability in extreme heat and in extreme dust.“It’s still a capable product, but where a park ranger may drive for hours and hours – this isn’t what this is about.”Toyota is also looking at the bigger picture, anticipating a growing demand for EV utes over time – and it wants to be ready and waiting for them to emerge.“I don't expect (HiLux BEV) is going to return big volume or dollars,” Hanley said.“But, in 10 years, when battery technology's evolved, solid states up and running and plus whatever else there is… someone's going to sit back and go, ‘my goodness, I'm glad (Toyota) launched that BEV in 2026, to outer Australia, because here we are. Look how many thousands we're selling now’.“The reality is, those who get the timing right and take customer on the journey will get will be the winner.You see, in the end, I'm always a great believer that customers will drive the pace of change, not car companies, and not governments. Governments will influence and car companies will influence, but the practical change point will be determined by the end user.“And that's a very, very important aspect of this that gets left in the ether out there.”

Nissan has clarified its two-pronged ute strategy for Australia from 2027, while potentially introducing a third contender in the process.Nissan Oceania Managing Director Andrew Humberstone suggested the traditional diesel approach with the Mitsubishi Triton-based N27 would not be enough if market growth goals are to be achieved.This comes as all brands scramble to make the right product decisions now that electrified competition as well as carbon legislation are demanding different solutions than before.“In terms of going forward, this segment is very much a key pillar in our brand portfolio, as is Patrol (full-sized 4WD SUV),” Humberstone said.“It's then, ‘how do we manage these two core products?’, which are very strong in terms of brand awareness in the market and strength of our brand, and manage the NVES (New Vehicle Efficiency Standard) and CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy US federal regulations) on the other side of the spectrum?’“How do we create that balance? So of course, we have to look at other options, which is why we're looking at product portfolio going forward.”This builds on what the global car industry veteran told CarsGuide a few weeks earlier, where he mentioned the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that debuted at last April’s Shanghai auto show, as a strong proposition.“New Navara and Frontier Pro together? Oh, yeah, absolutely,” Humberstone revealed. “And it wouldn't be one or the other. I would absolutely see an opportunity for both of them (in Australia).”Since then, Nissan confirmed the Frontier Pro for Australia at a gala event in Adelaide by flying one out especially for the evening, just one day after pulling the covers off the D27 Navara in the same city.Additionally, and quite unexpectedly, turbo-charged petrol and diesel variations of the Frontier Pro were announced.This suggests that premium and possibly high-performance versions of the ute, which is based on partner Dongfeng’s Z9 dual-cab pick-up, may also join the local line-up to wrestle head-on with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak.Such an ambitious ute strategy is in line with the steps Nissan is taking on its road to rebuilding in Australia.“We've had a lot of work to do, one on building brand, one on building customer retention,” Humberstone admitted.“And, in between, the key component here is around sourcing a product… but (with reduced supply and profitability) we're looking at is a new product portfolio.”Finally, while the new (D27) Navara will arrive as dual-cab 4x4 diesel auto-only proposition initially, other styles and variations are at the ready should Nissan require them.This could include a version of the hybrid powertrain that supplier Mitsubishi is developing for its Triton fraternal twin.“Where we stand today, (that specification) represent 90 per cent of the portfolio,” Humberstone said.“(But) given shifts in regulation, given shifts in customer demand, given shifts in opportunities and profitabilities, we have the flexibility to look at that over the lifecycle of the product.“But the starting point, almost top-down strategy in essence, is ‘let’s go with 90 per cent of the volume is in the market’. It doesn’t mean we don’t re-evaluate over time, but that’s certainly the starting point.”And, this, of course, is not including the Navara Warrior flagship, more of which will be announced sometime during 2026.If nothing else, Nissan will be very busy in the ute segment over the next couple of years. Watch this space.

Is the latest Toyota HiLux a strategic error or a masterstroke in product development?

That the Toyota Prius is set for a return to Australia inside the next 18 months, and possibly sooner, is no surprise. As CarsGuide has recently reported, market forces and consumer preferences are shifting and the sleek five-door liftback is suddenly looking very promising for this market. But the big news is that it’s likely to be a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) only proposition, to once again blaze a trail of affordability and accessibility, just like its four previous hybrid-pioneering predecessors did for 21 years from 2001.

The Toyota HiLux SR is the one-up-from-base model in the ninth-gen ute line-up.

Nissan is making no bones about the fact that it needs more models to sell in greater numbers in Australia, with China emerging as a key supplier moving forward. With the current range coming from Thailand (Navara), Japan (X-Trail, Ariya, Patrol), United Kingdom (Qashqai, Juke) and North America (Pathfinder), a lower-cost source is seen as a solution to one of the company’s biggest hurdles.

The Toyota HiLux Workmate is the entry-level version of the long-lived Japanese ute series.