1980 Toyota HiLux Reviews

Toyota Australia's freshly facelifted HiLux range offers not only the usual base-grade Workmate 4x4 dual cab-chassis but also mid-grade SR and high-grade SR5/SR5+ variants for the first time.

Rather than joining the plethora of superficial sticker-pack-enhanced utes, Toyota's new HiLux Rugged X comes standard with a snorkel, hoop-less steel bullbar, substantial underbody protection bash plate, front and rear recovery points, heavy-duty front springs, and steel side steps with built-in rock-sliders. So, all stuff that's actually useful in the real world.

Strong demand for premium-grade utes has prompted Toyota to release upgraded versions of its high-end Rogue and top-shelf Rugged X HiLux models. These combine the latest engineering refinements recently introduced across the HiLux range with new styling and equipment features unique to these ‘hero’ models, which feature substantial Australian input.

The New Toyota HiLux has more power and torque, bigger and better multimedia screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, upgraded suspension and a bit of a new look – on the outside, at least. But it's still on an ageing platform and, in Australia's tough, extremely competitive ute market, are the new changes enough to keep HiLux fans faithful?

The Toyota HiLux Workmate range has 12 derivatives, and within that dozen models there's a good chance you will find exactly what you need - if you're looking for a ute for hard work, that is.

The 2021 Toyota HiLux has been revamped, but have the improvements and changes been worth the wait? And are they worth the extra asking price?

Talk about a busy time in the ute segment. The just updated Toyota HiLux has arrived, but there's an all-new Isuzu D-Max that is out to steal its thunder. Can it do so? We put the new 2021 HiLux SR5+ up against the all-new D-Max LS-U in a four-wheel drive double cab comparison... and you might be surprised by what we found.

The middle tier of the regular 2021 Toyota HiLux range is the SR variant, which is also available in a better equipped SR+ spec, too.The range of SR and SR+ variants spans single cab-chassis, extra cab-chassis and ute, and dual cab-chassis and ute models. It is diesel only, and in fact the diesel fitted here is the 2.8-litre four-cylinder - a step up on what you find in the Workmate grade below.As such, the 2.8-litre four-cylinder is good for 150kW of power and either 420Nm of torque (manual) or 500Nm of torque (auto). It’s available in 2WD (towing maximum braked capacity: 2800kg) and 4WD (towing max capacity: 3500kg). Payload ranges between 995kg and 1250kg depending on the bodystyle/drivetrain.Here’s a rundown of the SR and SR+ models you can choose from:Single cab SR models get 17-inch silver steel wheels, while extra cab and dual cab models have black rims. Then there are black side steps, and dual cab SR models get a 60:40 split fold rear seat base with stowable armrest, and 4x4 models get a rear differential lock.Think you need more? The SR+ dual cab pick-up adds $2000 to the asking price and adds dark-grey 17-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation and digital radio. That’s beyond what you get in the Workmate models, including a new 8.0-inch media screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4.2-inch driver info screen, auto headlights, and a comprehensive safety kit list with auto emergency braking (AEB) that works at speeds 50km/h-180km/h, as well as pedestrian and cyclist detection (10km/h-80km/h), lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, speed sign recognition and warning, and adaptive cruise control on autos. There’s no blind spot monitoring or rear cross traffic alert and Toyota doesn’t offer a reversing camera on cab-chassis models - it’s standard on pick-up models.There are dual front, front side, driver’s knee and full-length curtain, for a total of seven airbags. Two ISOFIX outboard attachments and two loop-style top-tethers for baby seats are fitted to dual cabs. 

Opening the 2021 Toyota HILux range is the Workmate grade, which offers a broad spread of options for customers looking for a no-nonsense ute or cab-chassis tray back.The Workmate badge is across more bodystyles than any other in the HiLux line-up - single cab-chassis, extra cab-chassis and ute, and dual cab-chassis and ute body styles, as well as in 2WD/RWD/4x2 or 4WD/4x4. The version you choose will determine your powertrain options, but here is a table to make it easier to understand. Engine specs are as follows: the 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol has 122kW and 245Nm, and the choice of five-speed manual or six-speed automatic; the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel is good for 110kW of power and 400Nm of torque, with the choice of six-speed manual or auto.Fuel use claims for the petrol range between 10.4L/100km and 11.1L/100km. The diesel engine offers claimed consumption from 6.9L/100km to 8.0L/100km depending on the derivative. All HiLux models have an 80L fuel tank.Some Workmate trims - single-cab variants and the 4x2 Workmate dual-cab pick-up - don’t see the visual changes of the 4x2 Hi-Rider and 4x4 extra- and dual-cab variants, which score a slightly more aggressive front fascia. Payload ranges between 980kg and 1275kg depending on the style of vehicle, and towing is rated at a braked maximum of 2500kg for petrol and 3500kg for diesel models.All WorkMate models come with steel wheels (16-inch on 4x2 models, silver 17-inch rims on 4x2 single-cabs, and black 17-inch wheels on 4x4 extra- and dual-cabs). All models get auto halogen headlights, vinyl flooring and all-weather floor mats, cloth seat trim, a new 8.0-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, and a new instrument cluster design with a 4.2-inch digital display with digital speedo readout. How many seats in the HiLux Workmate? Single cab models have two seats, extra cab models have four seats, and dual cab variants have five seats.Safety spec comprises standard-fit auto emergency braking (AEB) that works at speeds 50km/h-180km/h, as well as pedestrian and cyclist detection (10km/h-80km/h). The HiLux gets a lane departure warning system with lane keeping assist that works by braking to pull you into line. There’s no blind spot monitoring or rear cross traffic alert, but standard is speed sign recognition and warning, and adaptive cruise control on autos. Toyota doesn’t offer a reversing camera on cab-chassis models - it’s standard on pick-up models.There are dual front, front side, driver’s knee and full-length curtain, for a total of seven airbags. Two ISOFIX outboard attachments and two loop-style top-tethers for baby seats are fitted to dual cabs. 

Sitting at the top of the standard 2021 Toyota HiLux range is the SR5 - and the SR5+, too.The range has expanded for 2021, with new dual cab-chassis models added to sit alongside the dual cab ute and extra cab ute versions. SR5 models are strictly 4x4, and only available with the 2.8-litre four-cylinder engine with 150kW of power and torque rated at either 420Nm (manual) or 500Nm (auto). Towing capacity is rated at 750kg unbraked and 3500kg braked for all but the 4x2 dual cab SR5 Hi-Rider. Fuel use is claimed at between 7.9L and 8.1L per 100km. Payload is rated at between 995kg and 1105kg depending on the derivative.Here’s a rundown of the SR5 and SR5+ models in terms of body style, drivetrain and pricing.The SR5 variants add LED headlights, two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels, a sports bar (pick-ups only), model-specific tail-lights, satellite navigation, keyless entry with push-button start, digital radio and a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear selector.The SR5+ version nets eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats and leather-accented upholstery over the SR5 for $2500 extra. SR5 HiLux still only has single-zone climate control, but you’re also getting carpet flooring here.The SR5, of course, also gets the 8.0-inch media screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4.2-inch driver info screen, auto headlights, and a safety technology list including auto emergency braking (AEB) that works at speeds 50km/h-180km/h, as well as pedestrian and cyclist detection (10km/h-80km/h), lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, speed sign recognition and warning, and adaptive cruise control on autos. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert remain unavailable on HiLux SR5 / SR5+, and the new cab-chassis models don’t get a reversing camera but it’s standard on pick-up models.All HiLux models have dual front, front side, driver’s knee and full-length curtain airbags, for a total of seven. Two ISOFIX outboard attachments and two loop-style top-tethers for baby seats are fitted to dual cabs.