Hilux more comfortable

Not in 2005, as the top-selling Toyota Hilux is revamped to go up against the new breed of work-and-play utes.

Comfort, safety and on-road performance are now considered as important as toughness and load- carrying capacity.

Worker health and safety is also a real issue for employers.

That's why Toyota has refreshed the Hilux, giving it a new look, roomier cabin, sizzling performance and more comfort.

Toyota is clearly aiming to re-claim the light truck leadership it lost to Holden last year, predicting Hilux sales of more than 40,000 vehicles against last year's total of 28,000.

"It's been a runaway success in the markets it's been launched in so far," Toyota Australia executive chairman John Conomos says.

"Worldwide demand is running at around 700,000 units and the company only has the capacity to build 400,000 at the moment," he says.

The Hilux has a 235mm longer wheelbase and wider tracks front and rear (115mm/100mm).

It also has a roomier interior, new softer-riding suspension and much-improved performance from more powerful petrol and diesel engines.

Even rear-seat passengers will find the longer Dual Cab now has good room and more comfort.

Comfort is also aided by the Hilux's new double-wishbone coil spring front suspension, which delivers the most comfortable ride yet in a one-tonner.

It's not quite the car-level plushness Toyota claims, but it is smooth and supple without the usual bump and bounce common in hard-riding utes.

The range has 30 models: 14 two-wheel drives and 16 four-wheel drives. There are three equipment levels (Work Mate, SR, SR5) and a body choice of Single Cab, Xtra Cab and Dual Cab.

The Hilux is now based on a new and more rigid chassis, which aids handling and steering precision.

Toyota has powered the new Hilux with three new engines. Most notable is the 4.0-litre quad-cam V6, the most powerful in its class.

Arguably the gem in the range is the new double-overhead camshaft 3.0-litre common-rail turbo-diesel V6. It produces 120kW of peak power at 3400 revs and 343Nm from 1400-3200 revs.

The V6 and diesel engines are both available in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive SR and SR5 models. There is a five-speed manual gearbox and a five-speed automatic petrol version.

Diesel buyers can now also choose an auto in addition to the standard five-speed manual.

Four-wheel drive models are equipped with dual-range four-wheel drive. The front hubs now auto lock, so there is no need to get out of the vehicle when switching from one range to the other.

SWITCHING from two-wheel drive to high range four-wheel drive can be done on the run, selecting low range can only be done when stationary.

Equipment levels have been boosted. Dual airbags and CD player are standard across the range.

Airconditioning and ABS brakes are standard on SR5 and optional on SR.

Even with all of the refinements and extras Toyota has managed to squeeze into the new Hilux, it is still capable of carrying a payload of up to 1.2 tonnes.

ON THE ROAD
THE Hilux has come a long, long way. It was once a back-breaker that had lousy road manners, but not any more.

Slip behind the wheel of the 2005 Hilux and you find yourself in a cab that wouldn't be out of place in a regular family four-door car.

The dash is stylish and filled with features such as a CD player and airconditioning, and the steering wheel can be adjusted for height.

But it gets better. The ride is smooth and comfortable, something those old bone-shakers couldn't claim.

It's still firm, which is to be expected when it has to carry a load, but you don't get bounced all over the road on any surface. It handles rough, broken roads with aplomb.

The 4x4 model showed no sign of getting hung up on ruts or rocks, negotiating some pretty rough tracks with ease.

The ability to select four-wheel drive on the run makes off-road operation a breeze. It means you can be in two-wheel drive mode most of the time and select four-wheel drive when it is needed to clear some rougher sections of road, virtually without even slowing.

It seemed a little crazy to be throwing the Hilux around a racetrack, but you have to think Toyota knew what it was doing when we were cut loose on the Hidden Valley circuit near Darwin to check out the ute's handling.

Considering it is still something of a high-rider, and equipped with all-rounder tyres, it steers and corners well.

There's some understeer on tip-in, but it is not excessive, and the tail will swing around if you are persistent.

But, unless it is mistreated, the Hilux handles as well as a lot of cars. And much better than most utes.

It is probably a good thing that it handles well because it now has the power to perform. The V6 gets up and goes as hard as you would expect from a vehicle with 175kW coursing through its drive line. It reached speeds of 170km/h on Hidden Valley's long straight, in both the auto and manual.

But the real gem is the diesel. It's not as fast as the V6, but it packs plenty of torque, which makes it a dream to drive. It pulls steadily from low down without any hesitation and runs out impressively at quite high speeds.

At the bottom end, the Work Mate's 2.7-litre four does its job well. It is smooth and torquey, which makes it easy to drive.