2023 Toyota Hilux

Toyota Hilux 2023 Review

As one of the most recognizable Toyota products the world over, the Toyota Hilux is one of the mainstays of Toyota’s range – both in developing markets and key markets alike. The pickup is so widely known in East Malaysia itself, that every other pickup is just referred to as ‘Hailak’ – a colloquial name for Hilux.

Despite the rugged nature it is known for historically, the Toyota Hilux has evolved a great deal from being purely a workhorse, to becoming something that could be categorized as a lifestyle vehicle. Build quality, material choices, noise and refinement were all areas that were improved in order to cater to the discerning, modern car buyer.

All variants of the Toyota Hilux come with a diesel engine, although there are five different variants up for sale that are priced perfectly for each application. From a single cab option that slides in under the RM 100,000 mark, to a fully kitted double cab with all the amenities you could want, the Toyota Hilux is sure to have a variant that just fits your lifestyle.

This current generation was launched globally in 2015, and is technically the eighth in a lone line of models. 2020 saw the most recent facelift of the Toyota Hilux making its way to our market, bringing with it aesthetic changes alongside mechanical changes to the powertrain for more power and torque. There were also interesting additions in terms of safety systems, which is especially important for a large car like a Toyota Hilux.

Toyota Hilux 2023 Specifications

There are two engines that you need to know about when it comes to the Toyota Hilux – a 2.4-litre turbodiesel, and a 2.8-litre turbodiesel. Both engines cam from the GD family of Toyota diesel engines, and only the top-level Rogue variant gets the larger 2.8-litre engine.

Specifications for the 2.4-litre turbodiesel unit are 150 PS and 400 Nm of torque from 1,600 rpm to 2,400 rpm, and it is paired to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed conventional automatic transmission. All variants of the Hilux get 4x4, which means that they function as rear-wheel drive until you lock the transfer case in four-wheel drive mode.

The same can be said of the 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine, although this is paired exclusively with the six-speed conventional automatic transmission. Outputs for this particular engine stand at 204 PS and 500 Nm of torque – which is a 27 PS and 50 Nm bump over the pre-facelift powertrain. Mechanical changes also include a more robust oil pump and water-cooled exhaust gas recirculation for a cleaner burn.

Dimensionally, the single cab and double cab variants are the same – with the exception of the Rogue that is slightly wider at 1,900 mm. The lengths of all variants of the Toyota Hilux is 5,325 mm, and the width of the remaining four variants is 1,855 mm, with a height of between 1,795 mm and 1,815 mm. The wheelbase is constant at 3,085 mm as well.

The minimum ground clearance of the single cab is a little lower given that it’s meant more as a workhorse for construction purposes (with the larger bed), but it is still an adequate 269 mm, while other variants of the Toyota Hilux push this figure to 286 mm.

Toyota Hilux 2023 Exterior

There’s no doubting that the exterior of the modern Toyota Hilux is a lot more angular and alluring than the literal series of boxes welded together that is older Hilux models, but you can still see that form follows function. At times these aesthetic elements feel like they are plastered onto the Hilux rather than being developed from the outset – and that is perfectly fine, because the Hilux is a vehicle designed to survive the toughest of conditions.

Even so, there are comfort elements at play. Most variants of the Hilux get halogen multi-reflector headlamps and bulb-type daytime running lights, though the Double Cab 2.4V variant upgrades this to Bi-LED projector units and LED daytime running lights. The radiator grille varies between being purely blacked out for lower trim variants, to dark grey and black paint in the Double Cab 2.4V, and pure chrome for the top-spec Rogue model.

The same transition is made with the bumpers at the front and rear, although the Rogue stands out with the addition of overfenders to boot. Wing mirrors are either Chrome, Black, or Dark Grey – all are power adjustable, and retractable with turn signal lamps embedded.

Toyota Hilux 2023 Interior

On the inside of the Toyota Hilux is where things can change quite rapidly as you make your way up through the price range of the variants. The Double Cab 2.4G variant is the first in the lineup to get a 4.2-inch colour TFT display for the multi-information display, as well as Optitron instrument clusters.

The speaker count stands at six throughout the range, but naturally the head unit changes depending on which variant you choose. The Double Cab 2.4G and higher gets a display audio touch screen head unit that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity ready, as well as USB and Bluetooth.

The seat materials also change as you go up the variant list, from black fabric to combination black leather, and eventually perforated combination leather in black and grey. The front driver seat goes from six-way manual adjustment, to eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat is maintained at four-way manual adjustment regardless of variant.

Toyota Hilux 2023 Safety Features

To speak of safety with the Toyota Hilux, you have to be referring to the top spec Rogue variant that goes the full set of Toyota Safety Sense items. This includes the pre-collision system, lane departure alert, dynamic radar cruise control, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, and downhill assist control. Active traction control is included with every variant except the entry-level model, but electronic stability control and ABS with EBD and brake assist are common for every variant.

Toyota Hilux 2023 Strengths and Weaknesses

As is the case with many Toyota products, the legend of the Toyota Hilux is built on robustness and reliability, in the toughest of conditions and handling the toughest of tasks. It is a workhorse of a machine and maintains this even until today – but in this day and age, that ruggedness is covered by a layer of modern comfort and refinement.

Therein is the true strength of the Hilux – it hasn’t changed from its humble roots, it maintains the core values that the Hilux name was built on - but it has adapted and evolved to suit the tastes of the modern consumer. On the flip side, the average consumer may not immediately realize this until they come to the end of their tenure with their vehicle.

This is less a weakness than it is a problem that vehicles face when they are built on reliability, safety, and other aspects that don’t show themselves in everyday usage. They are there to keep owners out of harm’s way or making sure they get to their destination, and it is only in their absence that they are felt.

Toyota Hilux 2023 Price

With five variants of the Toyota Hilux on offer, the price range is spread across over RM 50,000 between the entry level variant and the range topper. The Toyota Hilux Single Cab 2.4 (MT) 4x4 goes for RM 92,880 – the only single cab in the range. The Hilux Double Cab 2.4E (MT) 4x4 goes for RM 108,880, the Hilux Double Cab 2.4G (AT) 4x4 goes for RM 111,880, and the Hilux Double Cab 2.4V (AT) 4x4 goes for RM 133,880. The range topper is the Hilux Double Cab 2.8 Rouge (AT) 4x4 that sits at RM 146,880.

Toyota Hilux 2023 Features

One surprising fact about the Toyota Hilux is that every variant has automatic headlights – just with different kinds of lighting elements. Naturally items like steering wheel switches and true keyless entry and start are left for the higher end variants, but the transfer dial is electronic regardless of which variant you pick.

Toyota Hilux 2023 Fuel Consumption

Getting a fuel consumption rating for the Toyota Hilux is a little tricky, although our own testing found that it came to roughly 10.8 litres per 100 kilometres, specifically for the 2.8-litre variant pre-facelift. This translates to roughly 9.3 kilometres per litre, which is pretty much on point for a large pickup truck or SUV that has to deal with high weights, high rolling resistances, and big aerodynamic drag.