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Chris Fincham18 Mar 2011
REVIEW

Toyota HiLux SR5

Toyota raises safety bar on top-spec HiLux pickup, but is it enough to hold off competitors?

Toyota HiLux SR5 Dual Cab 4x4
Roadtest

(recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $53,690
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Metallic Paint $350
Crash rating: Four-star (ANCAP)
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 8.3L/100km
CO2 emissions (g/km): 219
Also consider: Holden Colorado, Isuzu D-MAX, Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan NavaraVolkswagen Amarok

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0

There's no doubting the importance of HiLux to Toyota's sales dominance in Australia. With almost 40,000 sales in 2010 the ever-popular ute, available in a mind-boggling 32 variants, fell just shy of the top-selling Corolla.

But HiLux faces stiff competition from all corners. From China's cut-price Great Wall to Euro wannabe Volkswagen and traditional Japanese ute rivals Nissan and Mitsubishi. If not undercutting on price many rivals increasingly offer a better value proposition in terms of features, safety or performance.

In reply Toyota recently gave its range-topping 4x4 dual cab, turbo-diesel SR5 pickup a much-needed safety boost with the addition of vehicle stability control and traction control as well as brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution to the existing disc/drum ABS brake package.

The move follows the standard fitment of six airbags to Toyota's most-expensive pickup in 2009. The safety enhancements also bring HiLux into line with the top-spec Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton, as four-door 'recreational' utes are increasingly aimed at non-commercial buyers, particularly those with families and large caravans or boats to tow.

What the four-door SR5 pickup gives up in the way of payload capacity to other HiLux 'workhorse' utes – 935kg versus more than one tonne for some of the lighter cab chassis variants - it makes up for in around-town comfort and passenger-carrying abilities.

Although it's true that 'recreational' utes like the SR5 are getting close to offering car-like levels of safety equipment, generally the overall list of features are still wanting compared to many 4x4 SUV wagons on the market.

The SR5 offers a pleasant, roomy cabin experience, with ample, well-cushioned and bolstered bucket seats up front. The driver sits up high with a commanding view front and rear, aided by big side mirrors.

The driver's seat is multi-adjustable, including for height, but the steering wheel can only be adjusted for angle not reach.

The spaciousness extends to the rear seats, with excellent head, shoulder and legroom making it a true five-seater. One noticeable omission is a three-point seatbelt for the rear centre passenger (lap belt only), but at least child seat attachments are provided.

Interior equipment includes a big screen six-CD tuner with Bluetooth streaming and MP3 sockets, air conditioning, two 12-volt sockets, and a leather wrapped steering wheel with controls for audio and trip computer.

The mostly grey plastics in our test vehicle were complemented by light grey cloth seat trim, which was already starting to show dirt stains. To avoid a similar thing happening on the floor, Toyota had fitted optional black rubber mats front and rear to protect the light grey carpet.

Eight cup holders and various storage pockets and grab handles throughout completed the versatile and user-friendly layout.

Punting the top-spec HiLux around town was a pleasant surprise.  Like most Toyotas, it's easy to drive, the long throw, five-speed manual slotting easily, and plenty of low-down torque (343Nm maximum from 1400rpm) ensured minimal gear changing and smooth, brisk progress in traffic.

The 3.0-litre, four-cylinder common rail turbo-diesel sounds rumbly in the cabin but with minimal turbo lag and no need to rev hard remained reasonably civilised.  The diesel clatter at low revs smoothes out on the highway, and diesel consumption of just over 11.0L/100km (achieved mostly around town in an unladen state) was acceptable.

Despite its inherent top-heavy, unbalanced set-up and 1845kg (tare) bulk the HiLux could be hustled confidently through corners, aided by reasonably direct hydraulic power steering, although screeching Bridgestone Dueler H/T rubber put a limit on our enthusiasm.

Despite the soft brake pedal offering little feel, the upgraded braking package proved a winner, pulling the big truck up with little fuss during a couple of simulated emergency braking procedures.

Likewise, provoking some rear end slide, or oversteer, on slippery wet tarmac and dirt track, saw the stability control intervene although not as timely as some other systems.

With its live axle/leaf spring rear suspension, the SR5 retains a typically 'jumpy' ride on less than smooth surfaces, although adding a few passengers and some weighty items in the tray settled it down a bit.

One area the HiLux still lags behind some of its competitors is in braked trailer capacity: 2250kg versus the 3000kg towing limit of Triton and Navara.

But out in the bush the HiLux is still hard to beat. On paper it has all the right numbers, including 210mm ground clearance, 23-degree departure angle and 30-degree approach angle.

High and low range four-wheel drive is selected via a separate gearstick, rather than more modern switch arrangement, but low-range 'crawl' should get you through most slippery, off-road situations. The stability control can be switched off so as not to interfere during serious off-road manoeuvres.

While highly capable off-road, the SR5 also stops for little in the 'burbs, dispatching speed bumps, traffic islands humps and the occasional kerb with little fuss or disruption to occupants.

With its tall stance and 'scooped' bonnet the SR5 cuts an imposing figure in the metal.  Plastic 'chrome' highlights on the front grille, door handles and side mirrors also serve to differentiate it from less glamorous variants. 

The side steps fitted were a necessity for entry and egress especially for kids. And there was also an optional rubber protection mat fitted in the decent sized, 1520mm long tray.

At $53,690 for the manual, the SR5 remains premium priced given its workhorse origins, although the value-for-money equation has been strengthened with the latest upgrades added at no additional cost.

But with early-2011 figures already showing Navara overtaking HiLux in the 4x4 ute segment sales race, HiLux will need to lift its game even further in the near future if it wants to hold onto top spot in the ever-competitive Aussie ute market.

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Written byChris Fincham
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