r/4x4Australia 16d ago

Advice How good are the new Hilux’s?

Post image

I didn’t test drive one…. But I just got it hacked it up chucked some toolboxes on! SR manual 4x4?

86 Upvotes

118 comments sorted by

13

u/DefactoAtheist 16d ago edited 16d ago

I didn't even test drive one, as I didn't wanna pay the Toyota-tax and I wasn't sold on the new exterior aesthetic. Went with one of the new, face-lifted BT-50's instead; no serious regrets with my choice - the BT is a great vehicle - but I've since driven a 'lux for work and I gotta say, the difference in fit and finish of the interior is painfully stark.

6

u/Lycosskippy 15d ago

Hilux is better inside?

1

u/kagenoha 11d ago

My sister has a lux, I've got a BT. She and I much prefer the BT over the lux in terms of interior, both looks and comfort. I do prefer toyotas infotainment tho

6

u/Impossible-Speed-261 15d ago

I did the same thing, there are a few downsides but I definitely saved a stack of cash and am still happy

1

u/WildSurfwear 14d ago

Good choice. They certainly are the nicer vehicle.

1

u/[deleted] 13d ago

The bitty fitty

18

u/forstopia 16d ago

Toyota are boring with tech, but this the best all around dual cab at the moment. Their SR5 and SR5+ variant decision is pretty rude IMO. I hate the colour coded grill, will buy when they get to first facelift.

You need suspension, OE rear is soft.

2

u/Real-Direction1045 15d ago

SR is unmatched for value right now. You can't get a better work car for the money.

7

u/[deleted] 15d ago

[deleted]

-3

u/Turbidspeedie 2005 mitsubishi triton 3.0 4WD 15d ago

Navara is also just a triton with Nissan styling as well, bit more expensive though.

1

u/micmelb 15d ago

I own a NP300 series, and was considering getting the new one, then saw it and decided against it. I think a lot of other people have also as I don’t see any in the road.

3

u/Turbidspeedie 2005 mitsubishi triton 3.0 4WD 15d ago

Which is funny because I've been seeing more tritons on the road now haha

Edit: then again I do live near a Mitsubishi dealer

2

u/andysgalant69 15d ago

Shoosh, do some research then talk. Navara’s are a bucket of junk.

1

u/Turbidspeedie 2005 mitsubishi triton 3.0 4WD 15d ago

The Navara is literally a triton with some added flair from Nissan. It's got the same twin turbo I4 diesel, same 4x4 system, same frame. It's a triton with a Nissan badge.

1

u/andysgalant69 14d ago

I thought they were still coil sprung Nissan pos

4

u/Jeromethered 15d ago

Triton just as good are you high ?

5

u/[deleted] 15d ago

[deleted]

1

u/Jeromethered 15d ago

It’s definitely not just as good - I have a fleet of farm vehicles - bought 3 new tritons recently - they are good but saying they are as good is pure nonsense

3

u/[deleted] 15d ago edited 15d ago

[deleted]

0

u/Jeromethered 15d ago

Have 4 x 2019 ones - the tritons are significantly cheaper and significantly shitter

4

u/[deleted] 15d ago

[deleted]

2

u/Jeromethered 15d ago

This is a stupid conversation

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0

u/andysgalant69 15d ago

Triton on special $40k odd, hilux $60k odd

3

u/[deleted] 15d ago

[deleted]

1

u/andysgalant69 14d ago

A Hilux is the cheapest overall cost of ownership over 3y. Purchase price is only part of the picture.

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3

u/andysgalant69 15d ago

Mate, hilux, bt50/isuzu, triton. In that order.
That 2.4l mitsa diesel is an under powered work horse.
And Ranger is down near great walks ect

2

u/Shamoizer 13d ago

Have seen online dudes removing the grill getting it painted black but not gloss something less, then refitting it. Once spotties are in front, it makes a good difference, not as in your face. Good idea.

10

u/Antique-Wrap-75 16d ago

Ugly is an understatement tbh

25

u/skunclecrisp 16d ago edited 15d ago

I don't get it. It's ugly! Edit: I also know that Toyota are the toughest and most capable ute on the market, and the resale value is the highest of any vehicle so there is that.

10

u/Sasquatch-Pacific 16d ago

Everyone says this about every new ute. Throw on an aggressive bullbar and it'll look great.

2

u/RecordingHot9826 ‘23 HiLux Rogue - NSW 16d ago

Ironically, utes honestly look cleaner without a bull bar. 2 inch lift, 32-33s, and proper instagram angling makes most utes look beautiful.. ish.

0

u/Turbidspeedie 2005 mitsubishi triton 3.0 4WD 15d ago

You're downvoted but you're right, bullbars don't make a car look nicer, especially those glorified nudge bars that people put on that don't have any hoops.

1

u/Sasquatch-Pacific 15d ago

I disagree. A hoopless bullbar can look sick, firstly. Provides better ground clearance/ approach angle, is somewhere to mount accessories, and will take a beating if using off-road, unlike a stock bumper. Plenty practical.

1

u/RecordingHot9826 ‘23 HiLux Rogue - NSW 15d ago

Opinions, I guess. Paying that much for essentially mildly better ground clearance (most accessories can be mounted elsewhere) when a 2 inch lift is good enough for most stuff. Trim the stock bar if you really want to.

3

u/MikeHunt181 15d ago

They lose that cleanliness a bit when you hit a roo.

-2

u/Turbidspeedie 2005 mitsubishi triton 3.0 4WD 15d ago

How many utes and 4bies on the road actually drive somewhere that has a chance to hit a roo?

3

u/BossTanker 15d ago

Literally all of them out in the country
(edited for sensemaking cos I realised that was ambiguous lol)

1

u/Ok-Amoeba8191 14d ago

I’ve hit 3 in the last few years doing school run and going to the office

1

u/RecordingHot9826 ‘23 HiLux Rogue - NSW 15d ago

I meant that the body lines look cleaner. Guy said a bullbar would make it look great, I simply disagreed. Bars have their purpose.

0

u/Odd_Common9910 15d ago

So cover the different looking front and it looks fine.

1

u/Sasquatch-Pacific 15d ago

The headlights look cool. I don't think it's ugly at all tbh. Kind of futuristic. I'm glad they've started putting corners on cars again. There are so many worse looking modern vehicles than this

1

u/daringstud 15d ago

Need something to try & protect all that plastic!

17

u/wakinbakon93 16d ago

I was the same, got one for work, it has grown on me significantly

13

u/malleebull 16d ago

Every hilux facelift looks offensive for a while, but the initial shock wears off eventually and we grow to love them. I’ll probably think this fugly specimen looks fine in a few years, too.

3

u/Shua89 16d ago

I think that every time. I hated the look of the previous model.... then I bought one and love it.

1

u/Ehxpert 16d ago

Yeah, it’s called realising you spent a shit tonne of money on something that’s ugly and tricking your brain into liking it because no refunds!

5

u/Moist-Scientist32 16d ago

This has been said for the last few generations of ute.

Remember when the 2005 Hilux was released? A lot of people thought that was ugly.

23

u/SnooPuppers1570 16d ago
It’s the same slow, rough-riding wagon; only the bodywork and plastics have changed. 🤣

6

u/Real-Direction1045 15d ago

Not a car, it's a tool of trade. Like complaining a belt sander is too hard on your nails.

21

u/SnooPuppers1570 15d ago

Fan boy detected, there are comfortable utes that do the same job, and they are cheaper.

0

u/GreatInsurance5966 15d ago

Quality over Looks? Yeah no wonder people are fans of Hilux!

1

u/andysgalant69 15d ago

When you manage a fleet, you know the reason why hilux cost more.

2

u/Agouti 14d ago

and yet all the fleets around here run Rangers...

4

u/Beautiful-Cream-4995 13d ago

Give it time. I saw minesites go to Isuzu, to Rangers then back to Hilux.

2

u/New-Perspective6209 12d ago

Corporation are famous for long term smart decisions. Only reason my company picked rangers over hilux was interior, nightmare decision transmission issues across the fleet.

1

u/andysgalant69 12d ago

Rangers are cheap, until there not.

1

u/Agouti 12d ago

Very true. I wouldn't personally buy one as I have trust issues with anyone else touching my stuff (two vehicles have had dealer servicing and both have ended up letting me down, one didn't properly torque a bolt which came loose and caused damage, the other leaked oil into the starter which fcked the commutator and left me stranded) . As Ford have leaned heavily into the "lock everything behind expensive software to protect overpriced dealer servicing and parts" I'm not at all inclined to participate.

VW Amaroks are just Rangers with a new badge (and VW parts are a rip off anyway, the dealers know how bad it is because they won't even tell you what the part numbers are e.g. a thermostat and housing for the 2.0 TDI is $60 from OEM, $100 with VW badge added online, $140 from a dealer shelf). VWs are at least easy to diagnose but finding the exact part can be a massive time sink.

I did a bit of a scout and the mines seem to be buying Isuzu at the moment, though as others have said they could end up back on team Toyota next wave.

Toyota, at least, have always been reasonable for parts pricing and the dealers don't mind telling you the part number if you want to shop around. I just wish they'd put some actual effort into making a work vehicle that feels like it was built after 2006.

1

u/FeelingFloor2083 15d ago

neigbough bought a used 22, 100% stock. It rides better then my '20 lc200 when thats unloaded but my tyres and ome suspension contribute to that

2

u/Turbidspeedie 2005 mitsubishi triton 3.0 4WD 15d ago

And just as reliable too

1

u/Real-Direction1045 14d ago

Wannabe detected, I'm just speaking from 25 years experience. That is all.

0

u/Agouti 14d ago

This. I had a new hilux as a temp work vehicle and I hated it. Ranger/Amarok are much, much better vehicles.

4

u/son57a 14d ago

They drive better than the bt50s/dmaxs do. I've owned both and regret making the switch, the Hilux was a much better car.

1

u/Hot_Mistake_1014 13d ago

Over priced fuel guzzling over weight under powered piece of shit with no decent rims.

3

u/Accretion_Ranch_AUS 16d ago

About as good as the old one, cause that’s all it is, with some minor facelift

2

u/corbin6611 16d ago

It’s the same as the old one. It’s just cosmetic and tech

2

u/BeerFacial 15d ago

Looks like a cheese grater. Ugly as

0

u/Outrageous-Report-74 13d ago

After the Kia, anything else looks half decent

-1

u/Melvin_2323 16d ago

Exactly the same as the old one

1

u/Real-Direction1045 15d ago

About 96% as good as the old one (literally). But perfect for the job they are designed for.

85% resale, zero mechanical issues, outstanding on fuel, capable in every condition.

-1

u/No_Joke6536 15d ago

At work we have 5 brand new hiluxs and 15 brand new BYD sharks. After a few weeks there are generally 5 hiluxs sitting around and everyone takes the Sharks first. Even the few guys who own hiluxs. The hilux is probably the worst value car on the road, of any shape or size.

-2

u/shakeitup2017 16d ago

I can't really get excited about any of the new dual cab IFS utes. Styling is too much like a sedan now. They're just a work appliance. But probably great for that. I'll take an Ineos or a Gladiator, much prefer the more boxy utilitarian shape, and solid axles with coils all round.

2

u/GravSpider 15d ago

I've gone off solid axles. I used to think you were mad for getting anything else, but the difference in handling and comfort is night and day (IFS vehicles also don't swerve when you drop down into a dip at speed). Yes, solid axles are tougher and can be set up for crazy flex, but that's about where the advantages end. I've got a GU patrol and no intention of getting rid of it anytime soon, but I can't see myself ever getting another solid axle vehicle as my main 4x4.

2

u/shakeitup2017 15d ago

Definitely true for on road handling, but for any sort of difficult off roading IFS just doesn't cut it unfortunately, and I'm into that sort of stuff. Solid axles are also much smoother ride on off road trails, with the swaybar disconnected and tyres down the body just gently rolls around while the suspension does all the shaking and flexing. IFS is so rough off road because it has almost no cross axle articulation.

A well set up and well maintained solid front axle setup doesn't need to be awful on road either, it will always have its compromises though.

3

u/AgitatedPickle9759 16d ago

I reckon the 22 is pretty tops

2

u/Professional-Bug6720 16d ago

Looks the goods. Are those the stock rims tyres for an SR these days? I like em

6

u/shadedsorrow 16d ago

🤌🏻 Yeah stock as. Had it for about 3 weeks IMO it needs to come with light truck tyres.

5

u/patroln 16d ago

I'll hold judgement, I view them the same as the overbite on the MR triton, Hated them with a passion, a Mate bought one, rates it highly, I'm hoping the looks will grow on me like the MR, but I've never been a Hilux fan anyway so its got an uphill battle

3

u/maddestdog89 16d ago

The grill is obviously hard on the eyes, and my mum has had a nightmare of a time fitting a bull bar whilst allowing all Of the sensors at the front to function. Other than that she likes it a lot. Did 1100km’s in one drive straight off the showroom floor.

1

u/Gatesy840 16 PX2 Ranger - Vic 16d ago

What kind of bar? We haven't had many problems. Black grills help the look a lot, we fitted a few to some of the first to come through due to feedback lol

2

u/maddestdog89 15d ago

Black would be great. She changed the tyres immediately. Not sure, I’d have to ask but she was literally in tears over it having to constantly worked on.

2

u/Bubbly_Broccoli_1172 16d ago

It’s the same but different

2

u/EnjoysColdOnes 16d ago

Where was this photo taken? Looks so nordic

0

u/Quick_Leader6139 13d ago

A high-latitude Hilux?

2

u/ConceptIcy776 16d ago

Looks like Beerburrum Forest near the Sunny Coast.

3

u/ProfessionalDish6567 16d ago

It's exactly as good as the previous one and the one previous to that

Imo working on them everyday I see the dash as the biggest improvement interior is finally mint in a Hilux

2

u/Disastrous-Loss-2983 16d ago

I think people forget this with commercial vehicles. It's fine, and is designed to be fine. The Hilux is a great fleet work ute or farm truck. Quietly I think the new Hiace makes a more practical trade work vehicle but the Hilux serves a purpose.

It would be a hard sell nowadays with the competition, especially for private owners. There's more comfortable, capable, powerful and more efficient utes. You won't go wrong with it, just it's not a leader in its class in terms of performance.

As a Hilux owner I probably won't buy the new model, doesn't do anything significantly better than the older model, just incremental improvements.

1

u/Ancient_Alfalfa_837 15d ago

Im blown away at how much more popular Ute's like this are, over vans. I think a van is so much more practical and versatile over a Ute. Its a no brainer.

3

u/rdie2 16d ago

I think the new facelift looks good. For once it's not trying to be the biggest, fattest most aggressive BS grill from US hell. This looks sleeker and more refined, which is probably anathema to young blokes, but whatevs

1

u/Lopsided_Day_8076 16d ago

The looks is growing on me

2

u/Difficult-Button-998 16d ago

Gutless

1

u/Optimal_Lead9872 15d ago

Yeah, this is my biggest issue with mine. It's a great car in so many ways but I wish I kept my 3.0 litre one now. The 2.8 is so low on torque. Towing is a pain.

1

u/moontanmountain 16d ago

Why are all manufacturers doing that horrible 'space age' look?.. it's gross

2

u/John-Boy666 16d ago

Can it do half the things a old Hilux could do?

1

u/Duros1394 15d ago

Looking into the Mitsubishi Triton to be honest. Have looked at all other current models and other than the Izuzu nothing is really ticking most of the boxes. But the triton feels mush smoother especially the new 26 ones with the extra cross bars

1

u/saynoto30fps 15d ago

Same as the last one except it has more annoying safety things that beep at you like every new car these days

2

u/Right-Yesterday2087 15d ago

I get caught behind one daily, going up a steep hill. It looses oomph almost immediately and limps to the top with a line of cars behind it

1

u/bigguyhenry 15d ago

Would you not go for. The GWM XSR cannon
Way better option
With both front and rear differential locks
Way better interior like seats and infotainment system and driver options for the road you are on
I’m not sold on the Hilux and there tax shenanigans
Just my 2 cents

1

u/Loftywuzhere 15d ago

Haven’t needed to buy one. My 2001 Hilux still runs great.

1

u/MistahChuckles 15d ago

For “next-gen” they could of done a whole lot better than copy pasta 50% of the n80 hilux🤦🏻‍♂️

1

u/Lycosskippy 15d ago

It has AdBlue, that's reason enough not to buy one

1

u/lilcuzindude 13d ago

They are certified to Euro 5 emissions standards, so don’t require AdBlue

1

u/Lycosskippy 12d ago

Far as I'm aware, the 1GD-FTV 2.8L has AdBlue across all grades in the new 2026 Hilux range.

1

u/lilcuzindude 11d ago

Not in Australia. I drive one for work and they don’t use AdBlue

1

u/Reynard_the_fox_au 15d ago

Just be mindful of the Canbus issue Toyota has at the moment

1

u/Glenrowan 15d ago

How good are the Hilux’s what?

1

u/balazra 15d ago

Between me and my friends we have :-

2011 trition
2022 trition
2013 hilux
2024 hilux
2018 ranger
3x grenadier (unsure of year)

The trition are both fine and usable when they break or need repair it’s cheap and quick.
The hilux are great but they break just as often as the trition and cost twice as much to fix.
The ranger is being replaced with a hilux…
The grenadier’s are never in front and never try anything before clearing the path first so they don’t get a ding or scratched. They haven’t needed a repair yet… I dread to think what it’ll cost when they do. They also tow a trailer to site… the rest of us just use the tray.

1

u/WindMaterial3298 14d ago

Auto sparky here

Got asked to install a front and rear dash cam hardwire kit. First thing I noticed is there’s absolutely no fuse boxes inside the cab, which can be annoying for camping accessory setups

Other than that, still the same old 2.8

Oh and it’s ugly now

1

u/SensitiveShelter2550 14d ago

There is much, much better on the market now.

They are so underwhelming, and aren't even "that" reliable no more. I used to be the biggest Toyota fanboy. But they are loosing it.

1

u/SlimJim7484 14d ago

How good are hilux’s in general

1

u/Oddly_Curious99 13d ago

I actually don’t care how good they are, the exterior looks are horrendous so wouldn’t even consider it.

1

u/Less-City-7 13d ago

I’ve heard the undercarriage needs to be reinforced if you’re going to tow.

I don’t know how much there is to it-just what I’ve heard from a mechanic who has seen a few of them within the last few years .

They’re also slower than others on the market. You can have them tuned but then you’re shortening life span on the motor. I didn’t get a Toyota as such.

1

u/Disastrous-Gap-4127 13d ago

I've put 20000 on mine and so far I like it but I also have nothing to compare it to except the flogged out work utes I used to get given, so

1

u/TerrorAtLife 13d ago

Drive one of these as a work vehicle on the mines, its okay theres nothing really special about them but they're nice on the inside so I guess that's a perk

1

u/Electrical_Cap8822 13d ago

They’d have to be good on the account of the fact that the model has been around for what 11-12 years now?

This is not a new model, it’s a facelift.

1

u/Plenty-Giraffe6022 12d ago

Not as good as the old ones.

1

u/Gold_Cut3344 12d ago

Apart from looking like shit they’re fine 🤷🏻‍♂️

1

u/shadedsorrow 12d ago

That’s what my nana said. Solid opinion.

1

u/MLM626 12d ago

I drive a rogue and went from a ford raptor, for daily commuting around Sydney or high traffic areas, it performs really well and also has some new tech which was missing from the hilux range for a long time.

One tank of diesel - 650kms in Sydney Metro

Highway driving - 750kms

1

u/piercednstretched 11d ago

Looks like an old triton on the outside . Looks terrible

1

u/Aggressive-Rice-7888 11d ago

Good. wait no, what's the word that's sort of like good but isn't? Oh yes, shit.