The Toyota Hilux pickup truck is now out in India, with prices starting at Rs 33.99 lakh for the standard MT trim and going all the way up to Rs 36.80 lakh for the higher trim (ex-showroom, India). Bookings for the pickup truck are open from January, with the booking amount fixed at ₹1 lakh. The Hilux is being assembled in India with the CKD kit at Toyota’s plant in Karnataka.
The Toyota Hilux is a double-cab body style for the Indian market and it looks different and purposeful. It is similar to the Fortuner in its basic profile but gets a completely unique face with a large hexagonal chrome grille and swept-back LED headlamps. The front bumper gets a sharp styling with a black contrasting inset for the fog lamps; It also has a sturdy looking skid plate.
When viewed in profile, the length of the hilux becomes most apparent. It also gets beefy, black plastic cladding over the wheel arches, which adds to the rough and tough appeal. At the rear, the Hilux looks like most traditional pickup trucks, though it gets a heavy dose of chrome to suit local tastes, and rides on 18-inch alloy wheels similar to the Fortuner in India.
The Hilux is available in India in five single-tone paint shades – Emotional Red, Gray Metallic, White Pearl CS, Silver Metallic and Super White.
With a length of 5,325 mm, 1,855 mm in width, 1,815 mm in height and a wheelbase of 3,085 mm, the Hilux is a one-vehicle barge. It is also slightly longer than its only rival in India, the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross.
The Hilux shares some aspects of the interior trim and switchgear with the Fortuner. While the dashboard layout is slightly different, the touchscreen, climate control panel, instrument cluster, steering wheel and even the front seats are all shared. The all-black dashboard contrasts well with some brushed silver and gloss black trims.
In terms of equipment, packed with features like top-spec Hilux all-LED headlamps, daytime running lamps and turn indicators, 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, seven Has happened. Airbags, front and rear parking sensors, electrochromic inside rear-view mirrors, tire angle monitor, active traction control and automated limited slip differential. The cabin also scores well in terms of practicality, with large cup holders and smart storage space.
Under the hood, the Hilux carries a 204hp, 430Nm (500Nm in the case of the automatic), 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine from the Fortuner. Like the Fortuner, transmission options on the Hilux include a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.
However, unlike the Fortuner, the Hilux is available only in a 4×4 configuration. For better off-road capability, the Hilux also gets a low-range gearbox, and front and rear electronic differential locks. It has an approach angle of 29 degrees and a departure angle of 26 degrees. Additionally, the Hilux has a water capacity of 700 mm.
The Hilux is underpinned by the same, toughened IMV ladder-frame chassis that has also been employed by the Innova Crysta and Fortuner.
The new Toyota Hilux is positioned in the niche lifestyle pickup truck segment where its only rival is the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross priced between ₹ 22.07 Lakh-25.60 Lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Toyota is offering a standard warranty of three years or 1 lakh km on the Hilux, which is the same as almost all Toyotas for sale in India. Buyers can also opt for an extended warranty plan that goes up to five years/2.2 lakh km.