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Toyota HiLux 2020 update to bring advanced safety gear

The long-awaited addition of advanced safety gear for the Toyota HiLux is imminent.

Toyota Australia has confirmed it will offer a suite of advanced safety equipment “in the next update” of the country’s most popular vehicle, the HiLux. 

It is expected the Toyota HiLux 2020 model year updated will see the addition of the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of technology, including the long-awaited addition of auto emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and auto high-beam headlights.

As we've previously reported, the tech is set to be included in models produced from May 2019, meaning it will likely roll out on 2020 model year versions, due to arrive in showrooms from July or August.

A Toyota representative told CarsGuide that while timing is not yet ready to be announced for the rollout of the updated HiLux, it will be introduced “soon”. 

Some versions of the tech also include road sign detection and warning, not to mention more advanced AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection as part of the forward collision alert with auto-braking system.

The tech would help get the HiLux closer to level footing against the Ford Ranger, Mercedes X-Class, SsangYong Musso and Mitsubishi Triton - all of which have had high-tech safety gear rollouts in recent times.

Toyota offers the Safety Sense suite of tech on everything from the Yaris to the HiAce, and the HiLux is one of the last models to see the tech rolled out. An imminent addition to the HiLux-based Fortuner seems likely as well, leaving just the Land Cruiser 70 Series range as the only model to be left completely out of the loop. 

It is unclear if the tech pack will be offered as standard, or as an option, on the HiLux range. Toyota has a mixed approach in this regard, with Safety Sense being optional on some models (certain grades of Yaris and Corolla sedan), and standard-fit on other grades. 

There are certain models that still miss out on TSS, such as lower grade LandCruiser 200 Series models and manual Prado variants. 

Will the addition of new safety gear push the HiLux up your shopping list? Tell us in the comments below.