ADVERTISEMENT
Sort

Filter & Refine

  • scrub bars
Fixed Price
View Layout

Toyota HiLux Used Car Review

The Toyota HiLux was the first ute to become Australia's best-selling vehicle (in 2016), maintaining its status in 2017. Since its release in 1968, the HiLux has gone on to forge a reputation for trusted reliability and 'unbreakable' toughness. A performance variant called the TRD (for Toyota Racing Development) and featuring a grunty supercharged V6 engine was introduced in 2008 though this lasted only a year in showrooms. The eighth-generation Toyota HiLux was released in September 2015, retaining its comprehensive line-up of body styles and variants but improving in key areas such as refinement and towing ability.

Pros

Cons

  • Latest model improves off-roading and towing ability
  • Vast range of models, from cab-chassis to dual-cab
  • Latest 2.8L turbo diesel more refined than older 3.0L
  • Renowned for its reliability and durability
  • Missing key safety features prior to 2014 facelift
  • Maximum 5-star crash rating from 2011 onwards only
  • Jiggly and bumpy ride when unladen
  • TRD supercharged model (2008-2009) could be a handful
This is general information and should not be relied on as purchasing advice.
scrub barsToyotaHiluxFixed PriceGreyClear all
Save search and get notified when new items are posted

Overview of the Toyota Hilux

Overview of the Toyota Hilux

The Toyota HiLux was the first ute to become Australia's best-selling vehicle (in 2016), maintaining its status in 2017.

Since its release in 1968, the HiLux has gone on to forge a reputation for trusted reliability and 'unbreakable' toughness. A performance variant called the TRD (for Toyota Racing Development) and featuring a grunty supercharged V6 engine was introduced in 2008 though this lasted only a year in showrooms.

The eighth-generation Toyota HiLux was released in September 2015, retaining its comprehensive line-up of body styles and variants but improving in key areas such as refinement and towing ability.

TOYOTA HILUX GENERATIONS (SINCE 2004)

2004-2015

2015-present

RUNNING COSTS

Fuel Consumption (current model)

4.0L V6 petrol (discontinued late 2017): 11.5-12.0 litres per 100km

2.7L 4-cylinder petrol (discontinued): 10.4-11.1 litres per 100km

2.4L 4-cylinder turbo diesel: 7.1-8.5 litres per 100km

2.8L 4-cylinder turbo diesel: 7.3-9.0 litres per 100km

= Highly economical.

= Good economy.

= Average fuel use.

= Heavy consumption.

Servicing

SIMILAR MODELS TO TOYOTA HILUX

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: TOYOTA HILUX

Huge reputation for reliability hasn't been a fluke, and the latest Toyota HiLux continues that theme.

However, like any modern, common-rail diesel engine, the Toyota's is subject to all the caveats. Those start with fuel-injectors that can fail, comfortably within the first 100,000km. They're expensive to replace, too.

Injectors seem to wear faster with heavy use, so a HiLux that has been used for towing big loads is one to be wary of. A service record is absolutely critical to know that you aren't buying expensive trouble. We'd also be very careful with a HiLux that's been modified for serious off-road work. Not that they won't handle it, but everything wears out faster with harsh use.

Ex-fleet examples have usually been well serviced and don't present too much of a problem, but the one we'd run away from is the ex-mine vehicle. The seller will try to convince you that the vehicle has never been underground (in a mine) but that doesn't matter: The mining industry kills vehicles dead. Best avoided.

And don't pay extra for a car with Bluetooth: Toyota's Bluetooth was rubbish and even the dealers couldn't fix it.