Photo: Toyota
While the U.S. has the Tacoma, the rest of the world is offered the Hilux. The eighth generation of the mid-size pickup truck has been facelifted in 2017 for the 2018 model year, but 2020 sees the workhorse get even better in markets such as the United Kingdom thanks to more standard equipment.
The latest generation of Toyota’s Safety Sense suite is included in the Icon and higher trims, and in the case of the entry-level Active Single Cab AWD, you can get it as an extra. Pricing starts at £20,424 in this part of the world for the lowliest specification. TSS features Lane Departure Warning, Road Sign Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Pre-Collision System designed to identify vehicles, cyclists during daylight driving, and pedestrians by day and night.
Fuel economy and exhaust emissions have also been addressed, which is why the 2.4-liter turbo diesel four-cylinder engine now features stop/start in the Icon and above. Available with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, the so-called “torque master” as Toyota describes the engine is rated at 150 horsepower and 400 Nm. At most, the Hilux can tow 3.5 tonnes while payload tops 1,130 kilograms in the case of the Double Cab body style.
Even the Active comes with automatic headlights, heated and power-adjustable door mirrors, tilting-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, air conditioning, seven airbags, Trailer Sway Control, and a rear differential lock. At the other end of the range, the Invincible X boasts a commanding presence thanks to smoked chrome garnish, black side bars, and two-tone alloys with a machined finish. Piano black inserts are also featured, and as expected, this type of trim is prone to scratching and swirling with the passing of time.
Now available to order in the United Kingdom, the Hilux has a serious rival in the guise of the Ford Ranger. The Blue Oval is the undisputed leader of the segment in the UK and rest of Europe, selling 50,900 examples of the breed last year as opposed to 44,600 in 2017.
Fuel economy and exhaust emissions have also been addressed, which is why the 2.4-liter turbo diesel four-cylinder engine now features stop/start in the Icon and above. Available with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, the so-called “torque master” as Toyota describes the engine is rated at 150 horsepower and 400 Nm. At most, the Hilux can tow 3.5 tonnes while payload tops 1,130 kilograms in the case of the Double Cab body style.
Even the Active comes with automatic headlights, heated and power-adjustable door mirrors, tilting-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, air conditioning, seven airbags, Trailer Sway Control, and a rear differential lock. At the other end of the range, the Invincible X boasts a commanding presence thanks to smoked chrome garnish, black side bars, and two-tone alloys with a machined finish. Piano black inserts are also featured, and as expected, this type of trim is prone to scratching and swirling with the passing of time.
Now available to order in the United Kingdom, the Hilux has a serious rival in the guise of the Ford Ranger. The Blue Oval is the undisputed leader of the segment in the UK and rest of Europe, selling 50,900 examples of the breed last year as opposed to 44,600 in 2017.
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