Mid-2018 4x4 Sales Report Card: #1 Toyota Hilux

THE Hilux is not just the best-selling 4×4 in Australia, it’s the country’s best-selling new car overall; the only ute to achieve that distinction. It first got there in 2016, after 12 years as Australia’s best-selling 4×4.

Last year, however, the Hilux was deposed as Australia’s best-selling 4×4 by the Ford Ranger. Toyota responded by fleshing out the Hilux model range by fitting alloys and sat-nav to the work-spec SR to create the SR+, and adding heated seats to the SR5+ to match top-spec rivals. Then came a range of accessorised models, first the TRD and then more recently the Rogue, Rugged and Rugged X.

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Compared to the first six months of 2017, Hilux 4×4 sales are up 12.2 per cent, sufficient to see it squeeze back in front of the Ranger by a mere 21 units, despite Hilux buyers no longer having the option of the petrol V6. Dual-cabs make up 86 per cent of Hilux 4×4 sales, with single and extended cabs evenly split in the remaining 14 per cent.

Somewhat controversially, Toyota decided to downsize from a 3.0-litre diesel four to a 2.8-litre four in this latest generation Hilux, which puts it at a disadvantage against the notably bigger 3.2-litre five-cylinder engine in the Ranger, in a market where smaller engines are seen to work harder than bigger engines to do the same job.

While the 2.8 is well short of the Ranger – let alone the Amarok V6 – in performance, it is a quiet, refined and nicely flexible engine. Three-quarters of all Hilux 4×4 buyers opt for the six-speed automatic despite its tendency to shuffle between fifth and sixth gears at legal highway speeds on undulating roads, which makes the manual the better choice for country driving.

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There’s no doubting the Hilux’s off-road ability, though, which is as good as it gets in its class. Build quality, day-to-day ownership practicality and aftermarket support are also second to none, but the Hilux’s cabin size and maximum tow and load capability is behind most rivals.

Toyota Hilux mid-2018 Year-on-Year sales

2018 Toyota Hilux SR+ Specs Engine: 2.8-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel Power: 130kW at 3400rpm Torque: 450Nm at 1600-2400rpm Gearbox: 6-speed auto 4X4 system: Dual-range part-time Kerb weight: 2075kg GVM: 3000kg Towing capacity: 3200kg Fuel tank size: 80 litres ADR fuel claim: 8.5L/100km

Hilux 4×4 Report Card

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*Scored against class competitors. A = Excellent; B = Very Good; C = Good; D = Fair; E = Poor; F = Fail.