Toyota finally revealed details for the the Hilux pickup truck in India today. The price for the Hilux will be announced in March. The Toyota Hilux will be available in two trims in India – Standard and High.
Toyota has officially opened bookings for the Hilux from today, with the booking amount pegged at Rs 1 lakh. Deliveries are set to commence from March. The Hilux will be assembled here in India with SKD kits at Toyota’s plant in Karnataka.
- Toyota Hilux is powered by a 204hp, 2.8-litre diesel engine
- Hilux is built on the same IMV platform as Innova and Fortuner
- Has the Isuzu D-max V-Cross as its sole rival in India
Toyota Hilux: exterior design
The Toyota Hilux will be sold in India in a sole double-cab body style and it looks distinct and purposeful right from the onset. Measuring 5,325mm in length, 1,855mm in width, 1,815mm in height and with a wheelbase of 3,085mm, the Hilux is a barge of a vehicle. It is also a tad bit longer than its only other rival in India, the Isuzu D-max V-Cross.
The Hilux also has some resemblance to the Fortuner in its basic profile, but it gets a completely unique face with a larger hexagonal chrome grille and swept-back LED headlamps. The front bumper is sharply styled with black contrasting insets for the fog lamps and it also gets a rugged 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, adding to the rugged appeal. At the rear, the Hilux looks like most conventional pickup trucks, although it gets a heavy dose of chrome to suit local tastes. The Hilux rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, similar to the Fortuner in India.
The Hilux is available in five single-tone paint shades in India – Emotional Red, Gray Metallic, White Pearl CS, Silver Metallic and Super White.
Toyota Hilux: interior and features
The Hilux shares quite a few interior trim and switchgear with the Fortuner in India. While the dashboard layout is slightly different from the Fortuner, things like the 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the stack of climate controls, the instrument cluster and the steering wheel are all shared with the Fortuner. Even the front seats have been carried over from the Fortuner. The all-black dashboard is well contrasted with some brushed aluminum and gloss black trims.
In terms of equipment, the Hilux comes loaded with features such as 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 airbags, front and rear parking sensors, electrochromic inside rear-view mirror, tyre 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 spaces all around.
Toyota Hilux: underpinnings and engine details
As already mentioned, the Hilux is underpinned by the tough IMV ladder-frame chassis that also underpins the Innova Crysta and the Fortuner.
Under the hood, the Hilux carries over the 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine from the Fortuner in an identical spec of tune. That means the engine produces 204hp and 420Nm of torque (500Nm in case of the automatic). Just 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 that is offered in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, the Hilux is available only in a 4x4 configuration. For improved off-road ability, the Hilux also gets a low-range gearbox, 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 wading capacity of 700mm.
Toyota Hilux: warranty and rivals
Toyota is offering a standard warranty of three years or 1 lakh km on the Hilux, similar to almost every other Toyota product on sale in India. Buyers can also opt for the extended warranty scheme that go up to five years/2.2lakh km.
The Hilux is obviously positioned in the niche segment of lifestyle pickup trucks where its only rival in India is the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross that is priced between Rs 22.07 lakh-25.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
