Toyota Hilux SR ute review

Make no mistake about it – a generational update to Toyota’s Hilux ute range is a very big deal indeed.

This thing has been a fixture of the field for decades now. It started with Crumpy (actually it started six years before that in 1976, but for the sake of Kiwi touchstones we’ll go with the Crumpy-based start-point) and has gone on like an unstoppable force through ‘Bugger’, ‘Bulls’, the less convincing ‘Hokey Pokey’ thing and most recently… er, some dead possums.

Hmm, okay not the best start for this eighth generation Hilux then. Well, not from a public image point-of-view anyway. In fact the headlines were even worse because after 30-plus years at the top of the light commercial charts, the previous model Hilux was outsold by Ford’s all-conquering Ranger, which has since gone on to become New Zealand’s top selling vehicle, let alone ute.

Okay. Before we have a closer look at the new Hilux, here’s a prescient fact Ford’s PR onslaught buried in the wake of that win: the Hilux was second to the Ranger by a handful of units. So just to be clear, a 10-year old truck was narrowly beaten by a brand new one.

That’s the power of the Hilux you see. Dream up whatever poorly thought-out ad campaign you want, but it will still sell, because Kiwis love it with a level of fervour usually only reserved for sports teams playing with an oval shaped ball.

Bringing the beef

The new one (and, unlike the last ‘new’ one, this really is all new, not just a face-lift) has improved on pretty much everything.

Yes, I’ve heard some anecdotal opinion on the exterior looks, especially the sharp-ish raked chin up front; not everyone’s cup of English Breakfast. Personally though, I like it. In fact I think Toyota has pulled off a neat trick here. The Hilux looks better with steel wheels than when wearing big flash SR5-spec alloys. So the base model is the looker of the bunch in my opinion.

Not that we’ll be focusing on them here, but Toyota has even (finally) improved the 2WD models. They’re now known as the Pre-Runner range and share the same ride height as the full-fat 4x4s.

There are 12 4WD models in all, but the ute on these pages is what I’d consider the sweet spot for the rural set; the SR Extra Cab 4WD manual.

Extra strength is the name of the game. The new SR Extra Cab features a thicker frame, a stiffer body, beefed-up suspension and brakes and improved rear-wheel articulation for better off-road ability.

Towing capacity is now up to 3.5 tonnes and although you’d think rear leaf springs would have gone out of fashion at the same time as mirrored sunglasses, the Hilux still utilises them out back.

A game of two halves

Low points? Well, that $53,990 price isn’t what you’d call generous. And now that Toyota isn’t trying to preserve a three decade-long winning streak at the top of the table, you can forget about big discounts at the dealership to preserve the sanctity of the sales spreadsheet.

The Mazda BT-50 I reviewed last month was only a few thousand dollars more than this truck and that was the top trim version. Remember also with the SR Extra Cab Chassis I’m reviewing here that you’ll still need to BYO your tray.

Toyota will argue that the Hilux holds its value though and judging by the state of the second-hand market, they’d be right. Also, with all that standard fruit onboard, this is one rather nicely kitted-out truck, despite its entry-level status.

The verdict

I’m sold. It’s better in every way when compared to what went before, with more standard equipment (even in Cab Chassis format), beefier underpinnings and a smoother diesel engine. And yes, I even like the look of the thing.

Add the tray of your choice, get those black steel wheels wrapped in some decent off-road tyres and you’ve got a workhorse that will last you… well, until the next Hilux comes along.

Read the full test in issue #229 of Farm Trader magazine. Subscribe here.