Toyota HiLux SR5 turbodiesel 2012 review

Former Prime Minister John Howard knew what it was like at the summit.

Like any peak in geography or commerce, the top is lonely, cold and the footing is treacherous. Add to that the hundreds of voracious rivals biting at your ankles to prove that winning does have its price.

Like John Howard, Toyota's Hilux has stood at the top of an Australia mountain for decades. The ute mountain. Almost 700,000 have been sold here since 1968 and more than half were 4WDs.

Unlike John Howard, Toyota has regularly visited the make-over artist for a new look and it's this refreshment that has kept the Hilux the market winner.

New for 2011 is a sheet metal exercise for the nose and extras for the cabin. Not much, really. But maybe it won't take much to stay ahead.

VALUE

If there's one complaint about the Hilux it's the constant whinging by buyers about the price. Most say it's too expensive. Perhaps the rivals are too cheap. Regardless, at $53,490 the SR5 dual-cab 4WD turbo-diesel automatic doesn't look cheap but for 2011 comes with a heap of extras and a $2200 price reduction on the 2010 model.

The upgraded features includes a beaut touch-screen audio and sat-nav unit; Bluetooth; auto climate aircon; six airbags; and electronic stability control. It's not cheap - though what is? - but resale is strong.

DESIGN

Forgetting the Holden and Ford car-based utes for a moment, the Japanese-bred workhorse versions are becoming so stylish even your wife will drive one. Maybe. All look good in the driveway and the Hilux doesn't disappoint with a family grille - resembling the Kluger - prominent enough to mark it as a new model.

The rest of the ute is as before though the cabin has a more  upmarket feel, the touch-screen audio looks almost luxurious; and the practicality remains. But the tail gate is still to heavy compared with many rivals and the manual operation of the low-range transfer case is old hat.

TECHNOLOGY

The drivetrain is a carry over from 2010 which is actually date-stamped 2005. It will be another four years before a really new Hilux appears. But though it all sounds oldfashioned, the SR5 will easily hold its head high among the newcomers. The 126kW/343Nm 3-litre  diesel looks down on power compared with others but that doesn't transfer to on and off-road feel.

The auto is a five-speed unit and together with the diesel, Toyota claims 9.3 L/100km for the 4WD. Suspension is simple wishbones at the front and leaf springs out back, with front disc brakes and rear drums.

SAFETY

Yes, the SR5 gets ESC, traction control, brake assist and brakeforce distribution plus six airbags. But it is the only Hilux model to get these safety features as standard. They are o ptional on some other versions. The Hilux has a four-star crash rating which compares, for example, with the five-star result for the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50.

DRIVING

Like most 4WD utes, the Hilux diesel works as an automatic. The box picks up the best shift points and that extends to working perfectly in sand. I trundled the Hilux down a distant beach and, with the tyres down to 12psi, confidently but slowly paddled around the bay's foreshore. It's still a very good engine - despite the co mpetition - and gearbox, but an electric transfer case would make life easier.

The manual shift is stiff to the point of rigid, awkward and imprecise. Cabin comfort is good - but the engine isn't quiet, notably when accelerating - while room is on par with most but down on rear seat legroom on the Ranger/Mazda pair. Typical of the genre, the turning circle is wide and the steering wheel feel is vague while braking power is just adequate. Simple suspension works prfectly with excellent rear wheel  travel to maximise traction.

VERDICT

Yes, it's just a makeover and there's a long way to go before an all-new model but the Hilux remains extremely competent and competitive.