Toyota has unveiled the third consecutive facelift of the eight-generation Hilux in Australia. Toyota’s best-selling midsize pickup benefits from a series of styling upgrades, enhanced technology equipment, and the addition of 48-Volt technology to the 2.8-liter turbodiesel. The automaker is implementing these changes with the aim of maintaining its competitiveness against its primary rival, the Ford Ranger. The Blue Oval’s mid-size pickup truck claimed the title of Australia’s top-selling vehicle last year after a closely contested battle between the two models.
Unlike the Japanese- and European-spec
versions of the 2024 Toyota Hilux which look virtually identical to their
predecessors, the Australian model introduces a redesigned face. The bumper is
more sculpted than before, with a new octagonal grille flanked by revised
intakes and an aluminum-style skid plate. The rest of the bodywork is carried
over from the outgoing Hilux but the tailgate now comes with dampers for easier
operation.
Depending on the trim, the grille and
bumper have different finishes. The entry-level WorkMate features a black honeycomb
mesh grille, the SR adds a silver-colored lower bumper finish, while the SR5
features a black upper grille, dark-tinted LEDs and gloss-black accents (fog
light bezels, mirror caps, door handles). Toyota didn’t publish photos of the
high-spec Rogue and the performance-focused GR Sport grades which will most
likely retain their existing bodykits. The highlight of the 2024 MY is the
addition of the 48V technology to the 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel which
comes standard in Rogue and SR5 trims and is optional for the 4×4 SR. Unlike
other automakers, Toyota doesn’t use the hybrid term or emblems to describe
mild-hybrids, reserving the for self-charging and plug-in hybrid setups.
The system comprises a belt-driven
electric motor/generator, a small lithium battery, and a DC/DC converter,
enabling a stop/start system. Toyota says that electrification improves fuel
economy by 6-10% depending on the trim, while reducing noise, vibration, and
harshness. The mildly electrified 2.8-liter turbodiesel produces the same 203
hp and 500 Nm of torque. Toyota Australia didn’t
go into details about the contribution of the 48V tech in terms of power and
torque, but in the EU-spec model it adds up to 16 hp and 65 Nm. All mild-hybrid grades of the Hilux also come standard with the
Multi-Terrain Select system offering six driving modes for different types of
terrains. Other powertrain options in the Hilux range include the existing
non-electrified 2.8-liter and 2.4-litre diesels, as well as the 2.7-liter
gasoline motor which are offered with a choice of manual or automatic
transmissions in 4×2 and 4×4 guises.
In terms of equipment, all SR grades gain
two front and four rear parking sensors, while those with the 48-Volt system
gain dual-zone automatic climate control, smart entry/start, auto power
windows, and carpet floor mats. Furthermore, the higher-spec SR5, Rogue, and GR
Sport trims now come with a wireless charging pad and two rear USB-C ports. The
updated Toyota Hilux will arrive to Australian showrooms in March 2024. As
reported by Drive, pricing starts from AU$ 26,475 (US$ 17,277) for the
entry-level Hilux Workmate 4×2 single-cab model, and climbs to AU$ 74,310
(US$ 48,495) for the flagship Hilux GR Sport 4×4 dual-cab version. More
importantly, the trims that benefit from the addition of the 48-Volt
mild-hybrid system cost between AU$ 590-1,605 (US$ 385-1,047) more compared to
their non-electrified predecessors from last year.
We don’t know if the updates introduced by
the AU-spec Toyota Hilux will find their way to other markets, since the
current generation of the pickup is in its twilight years. As a refresher, the
eight-gen Hilux debuted in 2015 and received facelifts in 2017 and in 2020
before the 2024 update. The latter will most likely be the last one as an
all-new generation is expected to arrive sometime in the next few years.
