Toyota Hilux

The next-generation Toyota Hilux is launched in India with prices starting from Rs 32 lakh (ex-showroom). The new-generation pickup truck gets a bolder exterior design, a completely revamped cabin, and some new features. However, things underneath the hood continue to be familiar. 

In India, it has always been one of the few non-commercial pickup trucks that one can buy. So what does it bring to the table, and will it serve your purpose? Let’s find out:

If you think the current Hilux sold in India looks butch and dominating, this new Hilux takes that quotient and dials it up multiple notches. It looks like it has taken all the steroids it possibly could, which will surely give it such a road presence that only a few other vehicles could match on our roads.

The nose, while retaining the same chunky styling, looks a lot more modern. The LED headlights look much sleeker than before, with sleek LED DRLs connected by a central bar bearing Toyota’s badge. The grille has a wide hexagonal mesh pattern, flanked by sharp angular piano black openings.

Unlike the current model, the ninth-generation Hilux sports a distinct bumper that looks like it's been bolstered to bash through anything that comes in its way. The bumper also incorporates the LED fog lights in another angular housing, while a bash plate rounds out the design down below. 

In profile, it continues with the dual-cab design with four doors in total, followed by an open bed behind. It still stands long and tall with chunky wheel arches and massive gaps between them and the alloy wheels.

Depending on the variant and powertrain, the Hilux is available with 18- and 17-inch alloy wheels, finished in various shades and textures. According to Toyota, these new wheels have better aero optimisation and also help save some weight. While the front design is a genuine revolution over the existing design, the styling changes at the rear are more of an evolution, with a similar flat trunk with bold TOYOTA lettering.

The shape of the taillights, too, is similar, but the elements within them are sleeker, more modern. Rounding up the design is a chunky bumper finished in black.

Toyota says that the new Hilux is based on a new ‘Tough and Agile’ design language, and we can see what they mean. It combines its new sleek lighting elements with the inherent toughness that the Hilux is known for, giving this pickup truck a more modern and powerful look at the same time.

Objectively, the cabin of the outgoing Toyota Hilux was not just behind the times, but also felt too basic for the price with its drab design and ancient tech. The new cabin design, however, is inspired by the legendary Land Cruiser, which immediately feels a lot more modern and premium. 

Just like the exterior, the overall design is very boxy, very functional, and the all-black theme further adds to that sense of purpose. The dashboard is chunky, the central console is chunky, the central AC vents are boxy, and so are the spokes that make up the steering wheel, which is probably the only non-boxy thing, along with a few other knobs, in the entire cabin. 

A floating infotainment system takes up centre stage, but as you’d expect from a Toyota, function and ease of use have been prioritised with a host of physical buttons and toggles.

Given that ingress/egress won’t exactly be the most graceful of affairs in this tall pickup truck, you get grab handles on either side that can be used for support. 

Toyota says that the quality has been improved with padded materials and a thicker upholstery covering for the front seat cushions. The front seats also have eight-way powered adjustability.

While the cabin design has made good strides, the new Hilux still misses the bar in this department. 

Yes, you do get a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which features Toyota’s Smart Connect with built-in navigation and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. You also get a fully digital 7-inch driver’s display. 

Apart from that, the features list covers the basics such as a manual AC, 360-degree camera, fabric upholstery, keyless entry, push-button start and a wireless phone charger.

Features like 7 airbags, 360-degree camera, vehicle stability control (VSM), hill assist, front and rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX child seat anchors are part of the Toyota Hilux’s safety suite.

However, it misses out on a level-2 ADAS suite, which is offered on the International version. 

Just like the Toyota Fortuner, the new Hilux too makes use of a 2.8-litre diesel engine that delivers 204 PS and 500 Nm. Unlike before, you can now have it with both rear-wheel and 4-wheel drive options. It comes paired with the same 6-speed automatic torque converter. 

The outgoing Toyota Hilux has always been a niche lifestyle pickup in India, bought more for its rugged appeal and legendary reliability than outright practicality. While its capability has never been in doubt, the dated cabin and limited features made it feel overpriced.

The ninth-generation Hilux fixes those shortcomings with a bolder design and a much more modern cabin, while retaining the toughness and off-road ability that have made the Hilux an icon. We just wish it got a tad more features to justify its price tag. 

Nevertheless, it continues to remain a niche choice, and if you're looking for a premium lifestyle pickup that can go almost anywhere, the new Hilux still remains a great choice.