Toyota Hilux

The (stylized as HiLux and historically as Hi-Lux) is a series of pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. The majority of these vehicles are sold as pickup truck or cab chassis variants, although they could be configured in a variety of body styles. The pickup truck was sold with the HiLux name in most markets, but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of "Truck", "Pickup Truck", or "Compact Truck". In North America, the popular option package, the SR5 (Sport Runabout 5-Speed), was colloquially used as a model name for the truck, even though the option package was also used on other Toyota models, like the 1972 to 1979 Corolla. In 1984, the Toyota Trekker, the camper version of the Hilux, was renamed the 4Runner in Venezuela, Australia and North America, and the Hilux Surf in Japan. In 1995, Toyota introduced a new pickup model, the Tacoma, in North America, thus discontinuing the Hilux/Pickup. The 4Runner is now a full SUV, and the more recent models of the Hilux are separate in appearance from the Tacoma.
First generation (N10; 1968).
The Hilux started production in March 1968 as the RN10 in short-wheelbase form with a 1.5 L inline-four engine, generating a maximum power output of in Japanese market specification. In Japan, it was available at the Toyota Japan dealership retail chains called "Toyota Store" and "Toyopet Store." The modification to the engine was enough for a claimed top speed of . The 1.5-litre engine was upgraded to a 1.6 L inline-four in February 1971.
In April 1969, a long-wheelbase version was added to the range. The short-wheelbase version also continued in production for many more years. The long-wheelbase version was not sold in the North American market until 1972, allowing the Datsun Truck to maintain a strong market presence. The Hilux was offered as a replacement to the Toyota Crown, Toyota Corona, and Toyota Corona Mark II based pickup trucks in Japan, as the Crown, Corona, and Corona Mark II were repositioned as passenger sedans.
In spite of the name "Hilux", it was a luxury vehicle only when compared to the Stout. The Hilux was engineered and assembled by Hino Motors to replace the earlier vehicle that the Hilux was derived from, called the Briska in the niche beneath the larger and older Stout – it replaced the Stout fully in some markets. For the North American market, the only body style was a regular cab short bed and all were rear-wheel drive. It used a typical truck setup of A-arms and coil springs in front and a live axle with leaf springs in back. A four-speed manual transmission was standard.
Engines.
Global markets:
North American markets:
Second generation (N20; 1972).
In May 1972, the 1973 model year Hilux was introduced, designated the RN20. Nicknamed the "RokeHi" (ロケハイ), a portmanteau of "Rocket Hilux", it has a more comfortable interior along with exterior updates. A "long bed" was an option for the first time in North American markets, although such a version had been available worldwide since April 1969. This received the "RN25" chassis code. The 2.0 litre 18R engine was available in Japan as well, with a three-speed automatic transmission available as an option. The 2.0-litre automatic model managed a "gentle" top speed in a period road test conducted in South Africa, in spite of a claimed .
The Hilux was radically redesigned in 1975 to be larger and with increased standard equipment. In North America, the new version also meant the introduction of the considerably larger (2.2 L) 20R engine and the SR5 upscale trim package. A five-speed manual transmission became optional. In North America, the Hilux name was fully phased out in favour of "Truck" by that year, having been dropped from brochures and advertising campaigns, starting in 1973. Some North American motor-coach manufacturers began building Toyota motor-homes from the Hilux.
Engines.
Global markets:
North American markets:
Third generation (N30, N40; 1978).
The redesigned Hilux was introduced in August 1978, with a 4WD variant introduced in January 1979. The newer model was of similar dimensions to its predecessor, but both front and rear tracks were wider. Another change was the front suspension was changed from coil springs to a torsion bar design, still with a double wishbone layout. The 4WD variant – not offered with any engines smaller than the two-litre "18R" – featured some common technology with the larger Toyota Land Cruiser. Its front axle was a live, leaf-sprung design unlike the more car-like type used on rear-wheel drive Hiluxes. Production of the four-wheel drive models stopped in July 1983, but some 2WD variations continued production in parallel with the next generation models. The L series diesel engine was offered on the 2WD variants from September 1979 and also on the 4WD variants beginning in March 1983. In Japan, the Hilux was joined with the all new Toyota MasterAce, sharing load carrying duties which was sold at "Toyota Store" locations alongside the Hilux.
The Australian market originally received the 1.6-liter 12R engine in rear-wheel drive models, while 4WD models have the 2-liter 18R-C engine with . These were all built on the longer wheelbase, with either pickup or cab-chassis bodywork. Top speed of the Australian Hilux 4WD was .
In North American markets, the Hilux (known as the pickup) saw the use of four-wheel drive. It had a solid front axle and leaf suspension. The body saw a redesign that included single round headlights and a less complex body. This new 4WD setup featured a gear driven RF1A transfer case. This transfer case is unique in that its low-range reduction portion can be replicated, using what some refer to as a dual or triple transfer case. This results in a much lower overall gear ratio. It was the first Hilux available with an automatic transmission in that market.
In 1981, a vehicle development agreement was established between Toyota, Winnebago Industries and two other aftermarket customisers. This was to allow Toyota to enter the SUV market in North America. The vehicles which resulted from this collaboration were the Trekker (Winnebago), Wolverine, and the Trailblazer (Griffith). All three used the Hilux 4×4 RV cab and chassis, and an all-fiberglass rear section (the Trailblazer had a steel bed with a fiberglass top). Research and development work on the Trekker led to the development of the 4Runner/Hilux Surf, which was introduced in 1984.
Toward the end of the SR5's production run (1983½ model year), Toyota introduced the luxury Mojave trim for the US market as a limited-production (3,500 units) model with options not available on any other Toyota pickup. With a list price of , it had bucket seats, two-speaker multiplex radio, chrome front and rear bumpers, and deleted Toyota logos on either the grille or the tailgate. Cruise control, power steering, and air conditioning were optional. It was powered by the SR5's standard inline-four engine.
In Thailand, this model was sold as the Toyota Hilux Super Star.
Fourth generation (N50, N60, N70; 1983).
The August 1983 redesign (sold as model year 1984 vehicles in North America) introduced the Xtracab extended cab option, with six inches of space behind the seat for in-cab storage. These models carried over the carbureted 22R engine while model year 1984 also saw the introduction of the fuel injected 22R-E engine. Two diesel engines were also offered, the 2L and the turbocharged 2L-T. The engines were discontinued in the U.S. after the 1986 model year, this was due to higher performance expectations from customers and the wide availability of inexpensive petrol. The next year saw the introduction of a turbocharged option, the 22R-TE, perhaps due to increasing competition from Nissan who already offered a V6 truck at this time. The solid front axle was replaced with an independent front suspension/torsion bar setup in the 4×4 model in 1986, and optional automatic differential disconnect for the front differential (an alternative to automatic locking hubs). 1985 was the last year of the 22R motor, and of the solid front axle in most markets. The solid front axle would remain in the 5th generation 4x4 LN106 model until 1997. Solid front axles had been present in all 4x4 Toyota models until 1986.
In late 1986 for the 1987 model year, the truck went through a minor interior and exterior redesign, that included a new grille, a new 1 piece front bumper, an updated interior with full high door panels with faux leather stitching on the base and DLX models, the gauge cluster surround was more rounded and featured faux leather stitching on it, the dash pad featured a shorter tray than earlier models, the steering wheels were changed from black to gray, red, brown, or blue depending on the interior color, the radio bezel was also color matched to the rest of the interior, the SR-5 tach gauge clusters had the pattern on the face changed from a grid pattern to horizontal lines, the outside door mirrors were also changed to have a more stream lined appearance, the faceplate for the heater controls was also redesigned. A V6 engine was introduced in 1988. The Hilux-based 4Runner which made its entry in Australia, North America and the United Kingdom was based on this generation of the Hilux; in some other markets, such as Japan, it was called the Hilux Surf.
Toyota introduced a new generation of the Hilux in most markets in late 1988 but the fourth generation remained in production until 1997 in South Africa. The company quoted that this was due to South African "content laws" which made it cheaper to continue the production of the fourth generation of the Hilux, rather than to retool the plant for the fifth generation model.
In Thailand, this generation was sold as the Toyota Hilux Hero.
Fifth generation (N80, N90, N100, N110; 1988).
The next redesign, in 1988, introduced a longer-wheelbase option, rather than for the regular wheelbase. Its one-piece cargo-box walls eliminated the rust-prone seams that were found in earlier models. The V6 Xtracab SR5 earned "Motor Trend" magazine's Truck of the Year award that year. The Xtra Cabs now featured more room behind the front seats than the last generation which allowed optional jump-seats for rear passengers, a feature more in line with competitors of the time.
In 1991, North American production began at the NUMMI plant in Fremont, California. The Hilux received a minor facelift in 1991 (for the 1992 model year), which was a grille change incorporating the new Toyota emblem that had been recently adopted.
It was during this generation that Toyota discontinued the Hilux in the United States, replacing it with the new Tacoma for the 1995 model year.
Engines.
Volkswagen built and marketed the Hilux under the Volkswagen Taro name from February 1989 to March 1997.
This generation of the Hilux was sold in Thailand as the Toyota Hilux Mighty-X.
Sales in South America.
The available options for these markets were:
North America.
In North America the Hilux continued to be sold simply as the "Toyota Pickup". A wide range of models were available (excluding the Crew Cab model available internationally), mixing four- and six-cylinder engines, long and short beds, regular and Xtracabs, manual and automatic transmissions, and two- or four-wheel drive. The cargo capacity was typically for two-wheel drives and for four-wheel drive models. GVWRs ranged from . Initially only imported from Japan, NUMMI-built trucks began appearing in 1990. The VIN on these trucks starts with '4T', while Japanese-made ones begin with 'JT'. However, some trucks sold in the United States during the 1991 through 1995 model years were still manufactured in Japan as not all versions were built in California.
While the fifth generation Hilux continued to be sold elsewhere in the world until 1997, in North America it was replaced by the new Tacoma after an abbreviated 1995 model year.
Sixth generation (N140, N150, N160, N170; 1997).
The Hilux received a minor design update for the 1999 model year and the addition of a few more engine options. The Hilux was then facelifted in 2001 for the 2002 model year.
In 2005, Toyota ceased production of the Hilux truck for the Japanese market. This was the last generation of the Hilux to be built in Japan.
Engines.
The Hilux was produced in Colombia for sales in Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador from 1998 to 2005 by the SOFASA company (with only petrol engines 2.7 L). In Venezuela and Ecuador, the single-cab 2WD chassis/long bed is called the Stout II. For sales in Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, it was imported from Japan from 1998 through 2004 (petrol engined 2.7 L, and diesel engined 2.8 L). This model was not sold in Argentina or Brazil because the fifth-generation Hilux had received a redesign and upgrade. Options for South American markets included:
Toyota shifted production from the Hilux Mighty-X (fifth generation) to the Hilux Tiger (sixth generation) in the late 1990s and made it the global export hub. The Thailand-made Hilux Tiger went through the following versions:
Gallery
Hilux Sport Rider.
Toyota introduced a mid-size SUV variant of the Hilux in 1998. The variant called the Sport Rider was sold only in Thailand. Based on the Hilux, both in style and underpinnings, it is similar in concept to the Toyota 4Runner—however, the Sport Rider is not a rebadged 4Runner. The Sport Rider's frame and suspension system are derived from the Hilux, including the Hilux's independent front suspension and leaf-sprung rear suspension. The vehicles began as four-door pickup trucks, and were then modified into wagons on arrival in Thailand by Thai Auto Works Co (a majority Thai-owned company in which Toyota has a 20 percent stake). The vehicles were distributed by Toyota Tsusho Thailand, the importer of Toyota forklifts.
Engine options for the Sport Rider included the "5L" engine for the Prerunner (2WD) model and "5L" "5L-E" for 4WD models. Later "1KZ-TE" engine was introduced for the 2001 4WD models which had foglamp integrated in the front bumper, 2002 saw the arrival of new engines—the "1KD-FTV" engine for 4WD models and "2KD-FTV" for the Prerunner (2WD) model and (4WD) with a new front bumper, new projector-style headlights, and new rear lamps. Toyota discontinued the Sport Rider in 2004 and replaced it with the Toyota Fortuner in 2005.
Seventh generation (AN10, AN20, AN30; 2004).
The seventh generation of the Hilux (designated the AN10/AN20/AN30), part of the IMV program, started production in Thailand during August 2004. Three pickup truck body variants were initially produced: a two-door Single Cab (referred to by Toyota as IMV1), a two-door Xtra Cab (IMV2), and four-door Double Cab (IMV3). In September 2008, Toyota introduced the Smart Cab, a four-door with hidden rear suicide doors. The IMV program also spawned the Toyota Innova (AN40) minivan (IMV4) and Toyota Fortuner (AN50/AN60) SUV (IMV5). The similar Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, introduced in February 2004 for the 2005 model year, is based on the 4Runner chassis, while the AN10/AN20/AN30 Hilux is based on an revamped version of the ladder frame found on previous versions. The Hilux increased in size and began to be classified as a mid-size pickup truck.
Hilux models sold in Asian, European, Middle Eastern and Oceanian markets were initially built and assembled in Thailand. Later, production was delegated to Malaysia and Southeast Asia in order to increase sales in those regions. In Thailand, the vehicle is called the Hilux Vigo, or simply Vigo. For other European markets and South Africa, the Hilux was built in Durban, South Africa. Hiluxes sold in Argentina and Brazil were built in Argentina, as with the previous generation Hilux.
The double cab model has an automatic transmission. It uses the same engine as other Asian countries (in-line, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC Turbo Diesel with common rail direct injection), however engines used in Malaysia differ in their maximum output of at 3,600 rpm and maximum torque of at 1,600–2,400 rpm.
In Singapore, the Hilux was available as a single cab with the 2.5 L engine or a double cab with the 3.0 L engine.
Notable fleet customers include private taxi operators, for whom the double cab model offers additional load space versatility, the Singapore Police Force, Pakistan Police Force, Syrian Police Force and the Royal Bhutan Police Force; all of which employ the Hilux as a patrol vehicle.
This generation of the Hilux was introduced for Argentina on 2 March 2005 in Buenos Aires with a market launch in April.
This generation of the Hilux was also sold in Finland as the TruckMasters OX by Truck Masters Finland. Because of a modified rear suspension, the truck is registered in Finland as a light truck. The OX was only available with a 3.0-litre D-4D diesel engine.
2008 facelift.
A facelifted version of the Hilux was unveiled by Toyota's Malaysian distributors, UMW Toyota Motor, in August 2008. Toyota has introduced a left hand drive Hilux Vigo in August 2008 while a right hand drive facelifted model was introduced in September 2008. These facelifted models were introduced in the Philippines in October 2008.
Toyota also introduced a four-door rear access system called "Smart Cab" to replace all Xtra Cab models in E and G grade. The Smart Cab models were developed in Thailand and were only sold in the Thai market.
2011 facelift.
On 13 July 2011, Toyota announced that the Hilux would receive a facelift, including a redesigned front end and other external styling changes, changes to the interior and a new turbocharged diesel engine rated at and of torque, as well as lower fuel consumption compared to the previous model. This update was initially launched in Thailand.
2012 Hilux Vigo Champ.
The Hilux Vigo "Champ" was introduced in Thailand in August 2012 as a significant "minor change" with a new front design and a revamped interior to reinforce perceived luxury. The front was redesigned from the A pillar forwards. With the exception of the doors, roof and tailgate, everything else was new: new guards, new headlights, new bumper, new bonnet, new three-bar grille, new taillights, a new rear bumper and new badges. There were also new mirrors and new alloy wheel designs. The interior features a new upper dashboard design with a new horizontal center instrument cluster. Perceived quality was improved through the adoption of uniformly darker finishes with greater color consistency throughout the interior. The high-end Double Cab version now came with a DVD player, rear camera and Bluetooth functionality.
This minor update upgraded the emission standard to Euro 4, updated the four-speed automatic transmission to five-speed, upgraded power rating of the 3.0-liter model from , increased torque from for the five-speed automatic transmission, and the SmartCab Prerunner 4x2 was introduced with automatic transmission. Other changes included a more efficient fuel injection system and the addition of a center headrest on the rear double cab seat.
Eighth generation (AN120, AN130; 2015).
The eighth generation of the Toyota Hilux was officially introduced simultaneously on 21 May 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand and Sydney, Australia. However, the pickup truck was available for sale in the showrooms from October, 5 months after its official introduction.
Some South-East Asian market (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia) also adopted a new name, "Toyota Hilux Revo". The Hilux uses the "Keen Look" design language that has already been used on the Toyota Corolla (E170) with slim projector headlights and LED DRL (Daytime Running Lights). This design continues into the interior with similar AC vents and center fascia design. This generation has Toyota's first autonomous emergency braking (AEB).
New ESTEC GD 2.4-litre, 2.8-litre and KD 2.5-litre along with 3.0-litre diesel engines, shared with the Fortuner and Innova, were combined with a 5 or 6-speed manual transmission or a 5 or 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift technology respectively. The 2.8-liter GD engine was introduced in May 2015 at the 36th International Vienna Motor Symposium. The 2.0-litre, 2.7-litre and 4.0-litre petrol engines from the previous generation returned with a Dual VVT-i update for increased power and torque. In 2019, Toyota revealed plans to introduce an EV HiLux within six years.
Like the previous generation, this generation has also been sold as the TruckMasters OX in Finland by Truck Masters Finland since 2017. The modified suspension means that the truck is registered as a light truck in Finland, leading to lower taxes.
The Hilux was re-introduced in Japan on 12 September 2017, after 13 years of hiatus. As a mid-size pickup truck, the Hilux exceeds the Japanese governing regulations for the vehicle size dimensions, thus Japanese buyers are liable to higher taxes compared to passenger cars. Nevertheless, the initial orders for the vehicle exceeded 2,000 in the first month of sales. For the Japanese market, the Hilux is imported from Thailand, with only double-cab 4WD configuration available in two trim levels "X" and "Z", both equipped with 2.4-litre "2GD-FTV" engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission.
2017 facelift.
The first facelift Hilux Revo was unveiled at the 34th Thailand International Motor Expo on 30 November 2017. It features an updated front grille styling similar to the North American market Tacoma and an updated front bumper with LED fog lights.
A new variant was introduced in the Thai market called the "Hilux Revo Rocco". The Rocco has a grey rear bumper bar, 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres, a black sports bar with bed liner, Rocco insignia, gloss black grille, black metallic trim on the interior along with a redesigned instrument cluster. The engine and safety features for the Rocco remain unchanged.
The facelifted model was introduced in Malaysia as Hilux L-Edition in 2018. In the Philippines, the facelift model was introduced in February 2018. This facelift model is only available for the new top-of-the-line 'Conquest' variant.
2020 facelift.
In June 2020, Toyota unveiled the second facelift of the AN120/130 series Hilux for select Asian and European markets. The second facelift model received revised front and rear with LED headlamps and tail-lamps and front LED indicators, a first for the Hilux, and redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels. For some South-East Asian market, the Hilux is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense. This facelift of the Hilux was introduced in Japan in August 2020 after skipping the 2018 facelift and is currently offered in base X and Z trim levels. The power and torque figures for 2.8-litre "1GD-FTV" engine has been upgraded to and (in automatic transmission).
Reputation.
The Hilux has often been described as having a high level of durability and reliability during sustained heavy use or even abuse.
Zoe Williams described the 2015 Hilux Invincible X as a "beast" ("Imagine yourself in a regular car, with a huge other car stitched on to the back"), and "the most I’ve ever spewed out, with the least to show for it", while "the sheer bulk of the engineering makes it like... driving a ski lift."
This reputation was highlighted in several episodes of the BBC motoring show "Top Gear". In series 3, episodes 5 and 6, a 1988 diesel N50 Hilux with on the odometer was subjected to extraordinary abuse including being left on a beach for the incoming tide, left on top of a building as it was demolished and being set on fire. The Hilux suffered severe structural damage, but was still running after being repaired with only the typical tools that would be found in a truck's toolbox. This Hilux became one of the background decorations in the Top Gear studio. In the later series 8, episode 3, a Hilux was chosen by Jeremy Clarkson as his platform for creating an amphibious vehicle (though by the end of that episode the Hilux failed to start), and in the "" Clarkson and James May raced a specially modified 2007 model Hilux to the magnetic north pole from Northern Canada – making the truck the first motor vehicle to make it to the magnetic north pole. The camera crew's vehicle from this episode was later modified and driven to near the summit of the Eyjafjallajökull erupting Icelandic volcano by James May in Series 15, Episode 1.
In 1999, the Hilux appeared in a series of "Bugger" television adverts in New Zealand and Australia. The adverts were banned in New Zealand after receiving 120 complaints but later reinstated.
A world record was achieved by the support crew for the participants in the 2008/2009 Amundsen Omega 3 South Pole Race. The crew traveled in specially adapted Toyota Hiluxes modified by Arctic Trucks, completing a trip of over from Novo, a Russian Scientific Station in Antarctica to the Geographic South Pole and back again, making them the first 4×4s to reach the South Pole. The return journey of from the South Pole to Novo Station was completed in a record 8 days and 17 hours.
Despite being discontinued in Japan prior to 2017, the Hilux has been popularly grey-imported throughout private importers. This fact, along with the existing Hilux users' requests, propelled Toyota to revive the Hilux in Japan after it had been discontinued 13 years earlier.
Racing.
Two Hilux pickups entered the Dakar Rally in 2012, prepared by the Imperial Toyota team of South Africa. Driver Giniel de Villiers achieved third place in the 2012, second place overall in the 2013, 4th in the 2014, and again second place in the 2015. These however, were heavily modified non-production versions built around a custom racing-only tubular chassis and using a larger capacity Toyota V8 engine. Since 2016, the Dakar Rally Hilux has been prepared by Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT. Giniel achieved third place with it in 2016, 5th in 2017, 3rd in 2018 and 9th in 2019. Nasser Al-Attiyah came in second in 2018, and won the 2019 Dakar Rally, earning the first ever Toyota victory in the Dakar Rally. In the 2020 Dakar Rally, six Hilux cars were entered prepared by Gazoo Racing, and another nine by Overdrive Racing.
Use by militant groups.
Due to its durability and reliability, the Toyota Hilux, along with the larger Toyota Land Cruiser, has become popular among militant groups in war-torn regions as a technical. According to terrorism analyst Andrew Exum, the Hilux is "the vehicular equivalent of the AK-47. It's ubiquitous to insurgent warfare." U.S. counter-terror officials have inquired with Toyota how the Salafi jihadist extremist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has apparently acquired large numbers of Toyota Hiluxes and Land Cruisers. Mark Wallace, the CEO of the Counter Extremism Project said, "Regrettably, the Toyota Land Cruiser and Hilux have effectively become almost part of the ISIS brand."
The 1980s Toyota War between Libya and Chad was so named because of the heavy, successful use of Hilux trucks for technicals.