1974 Toyota HiLux Reviews

This is the first time a six cylinder Hilux 2WD has been offered and the new 4.0-litre petrol V6 ( from Prado) is an absolute cracker.It's offered in a variety of models in five speed manual or five speed auto and puts down startling performance for what is essentially a tough-as-teak workhorse.The 2WD, single cab, SR manual is, for want of a better term, the performance front runner offering incredible acceleration for a Hilux backed up with super strong torque. Though not in the same league as something from HSV or FPV, this long bed tonne-toter won't be found lacking in the legs department.That's because there's a hearty 175kW of power and about 350Nm of torque percolating out of the high tech engine. It's a noisy beast but what's that matter when you're hauling a big load.The manual stick shift is long but the mechanism is typically Toyota "rifle bolt" in action. Gearing is bang on for the weight and size of the truck, its intended purpose and how the engine delivers power. But getting all that grunt to the ground is at times problematic, especially in wet weather.Fuel consumption is commendably low given what's provided and the tank holds a handy 76 litres.As you'd expect the ride is firm even with coils at the front and the brakes are strong.That's because this little worker can carry a whopping 1320kg payload.We never came close to that (despite trying) and 500kg in the long tray barely dents performance, smooths the ride though.At this level, there are the necessities inside the cabin but aircon is extra and the middle seat has a lap only seat belt.The cab is comfy and driving the beast is not onerous.Just a last word about the styling: big head, slab sided, enough said.

Although slightly slab-sided from the rear three-quarter view, the chromed sports roll bar and side-steps (which seem a little vulnerable to damage in off-road scenarios) give it a macho look.It's no shrinking violet – now 5255mm long, 1835mm wide, 1805mm tall and sitting on a 3085mm wheelbase, the seventh-generation Hilux also boasts 215mm of ground clearance.A five-speed manual gearbox directs drive to a fairly conventional part-time 4WD system, although the driver has a bit of a stretch to engage the front wheels.The first downpour on dusty, oily roads meant the system needed to be employed before any dirt tracks were sought, as the loadless leaf-sprung rear end moved like a pendulum. The specs sheet lists a rear limited-slip diff as standard but the amount of spinning from the rear wheels in wet conditions suggests it has its work cut out.Without a load in the rear, the leaf springs don't provide the greatest ride quality, but under a bit of load it improves, getting closer to relatively civilised front-end suspension and steering behaviour.The front end is now held up by a new coil-spring double-wishbone front suspension system, with a ball-joint mounted stabiliser bar.Combined with the new power-assisted rack and pinion steering, pointing the Hilux around suburban streets or open road corners is a smoother operation.Getting the Hilux a little bit dirty showed there's plenty of scope for rock-hopping and slithering with confidence in muddy conditions. The road-biased tyres might have some limitations but the suspension and steering allow the driver to easily negotiate tricky tracks without too much concern.It's a comfortable cabin in which to work, with the dicky seats providing the option for two extra occupants, but strictly for short journies.Instrumentation looks more like the dials from a luxury Lexus than something for a workhorse.For something that purports to workhorse tendencies, the SR5 Hilux extra-cab copes well with daily duties without giving occupants a stiff neck or a sore back.SMALL TORQUEPower gamesTHE four-litre V6 petrol engine generates 175kW of power and 343Nm of torque in the Hilux, down slightly on the output it produces when powering the Prado wagon. The 24-valve DOHC V6 is tuned to run on normal ULP and lays claim to a fuel consumption of 13.1 litres/100km. The four-litre motor is expected to account for more than 40 per cent of Hilux sales.Fancy featuresAMONG the features list for the top-spec Hilux are 15in alloy wheels, dual airbags, body-coloured front bumper and grille, a chromed sports bar and rear bumper, chrome door handles, power windows and mirrors, anti-lock brakes and body-coloured wheel arch flares. The workhorse also gets airconditioning and in-dash CD sound system.Record runTHE Hilux 4x4 rocketed to the top of its market segment with a May record of 1501 sales, beating its previous best of 1461, set in 1984.

The wallabies head for the slopes, bell birds are ringing and the rattled gum leaves fall back to the road.There is nothing slack about this new Toyota. Apart, maybe, from that unloaded back end dancing through the rippled corner.But with 175kW, slick five-speed automatic and independent front end it is all smoothness and quickness at the front end of the HiLux.Those tyres may look a tad underdone for off-road work but here on this back road bitumen, the Toyota's front Bridgestones are working well, offering plenty of grip and helping that rack and pinion steering find the direct and correct spots.Knock the stick and pull to the right, out of fifth for fourth. From here it's back to third, maybe a touch of brake, turn and then slip back to second for punching out of the tighter corners.If this new breed of HiLux is nothing else, it is a tonne of fun for hustling up a mountain road. It will not match a Holden SS Ute or Ford XR6 for grip and handling and ride but this high-stepping HiLux has some sting and a tonne of willingness.This can cause some opposite lock dramas on wet bitumen or loose dirt. Without any load in that tray (and it's a decent-sized tray, 165mm longer than the previous HiLux, for a dual cab) the HiLux's rear needs due care and attention plus gentle throttle prodding to keep things in a straight line. Or not.So there is a deal of point-to-point speed in this seventh-generation HiLux and a decent amount of front-end grip and balance.Less appreciated is the propensity of the rear end (here without a major load) to hop and skip over those middle-size bumps. Fine on the bigger swoops and rises, the suspension can be that bit jittery on the smaller stuff; here it is not as well behaved as some of the opposition.And too much fun can lead to fuel consumption heading past 14 litres per 100km.Down a long road a more supportive driver's seat would be appreciated, the cushion is a little flat and narrow.There is little else to quibble about in this all-new and very flash cabin. It is quiet, well-organised and well-finished. There's more room in this Double Cab than before with back seat passengers scoring better head and knee room than previous models plus storage space under the rear seats.Instruments are clear and legible, the dashboard all very logical and there's a decent CD/radio stereo. The shifter for two-wheel drive to four-high to four-low is out front of the automatic transmission lever.This is one of the best parts, this active and adaptive five-speed gearbox, just as handy for slipping back through the gears when out in the rough as around the town.Low-low is well-geared for a petrol V6, there is a decent amount of engine braking for steep downhill runs and enough steady torque for clambering through the real rough stuff.Care is needed here for the HiLux's new-found independent front end leaves a couple of wishbone arms dangling lower than before. The book claims 210mm of ground clearance.And those 16-inch tyres standard on the Double Cab SR can have trouble finding grip; this rubber is more biased toward ride and handling on good surfaces than offering grip on rough stuff. As a practical and comfortable four-wheel drive, dual cab ute the HiLux Double Cab SR for getting around the country continues to offer a good mix. It is a more comfortable family machine than before, an easier ute to drive.Still unsure about the new style, that pretty nose and slab sides make the HiLux look under-tyred, but guess everyone will get used to it. Toyota reckon they can shift 12,000 extra this year, taking the year's tally to a record 40,000. It's been an "avalon" time since Toyota Australia missed a forecast.