New look Toyota Hilux – Australia’s most popular ute just got a whole lot more Aussie

The Toyota Hilux is Australia’s best selling vehicle which makes it a staggeringly important vehicle for the company in Australia. The 2020 updated Hilux has a rugged new look and that’s thanks to Aussie designers and engineers at Toyota.

The logic is simple really, as Toyota say “If a vehicle can survive the Australian Customer, and the Australian environment, it can survive anywhere.”

So, the Toyota Australia local design and engineering team were tasked with leading the development of the face-lifted 2020 Toyota Hilux.

There’s three key areas of change, outside of the design.

Performance

A powerful 2.8 litre turbo-diesel engine noticeably improves acceleration, towing performance and overtaking.

Maximum power of 150kW, and peak torque on auto models at 500Nm.

Comfort

The rear suspension has been overhauled to improve ride comfort levels, primarily when the tray is empty, without compromising the overall handling – so Toyota say.

Steering

This may be where Australia’s engineering came most into play. Tweaks to the power assisted steering mean less steering effort when parking, and better steering on tight turns.

At high speed on the highway, there’s less assistance, while at low speed – more assistance. Simple really.

Models

Hilux – that’s not just one vehicle. There are 35 different types of Hilux. 11 of them are two wheel drive. 24 of them are all-wheel drive.

At the very top end, the Rogue and Rugged X are back, though their pricing and availability is yet to be announced.

Design

The real story here is a solid overhaul of the design. Aussie designers worked with Toyota HQ in Japan and the design team in Thailand to build the look of the all-new Hilux.

It’s a much bolder design. A tail-light design that makes a Hilux stand out in the dark, while up the front the whole front end is completely new.

All built around the bold Grill design and a really “strong” looking and frankly aggressive styling which is most prevalent in the middle to upper range models.

That design focussed around an extreme new-look grill only applies in the mid to high end models – sadly the base model knockabout still looks the same:)

Toyota said something funny today, which really shows how much Aussie effort went into this car – if the Hilux could talk, it would most certainly have an Aussie accent.

And yes, the 2020 Hilux has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

2020 Toyota Hilux Pricing in Australia

Here’s the full range, except for the Rogue and Rugged X with their towing capacity and payload capacity listed.

4X2 Single Cab (cab chassis)
Workmate, 2.7 P, 5M	2500kg	1225kg	$23,590
Workmate, 2.7 P, 6A	2500kg	1210kg	$25,590
Workmate Hi-Rider, 2.4 TD, 6M	2800kg	1260kg	$28,830
4×2 Extra Cab (pick-up)
SR Hi-Rider, 2.8 TD, 6A	2800kg	1130kg	$44,210
4×2 Double Cab (pick-up)
Workmate, 2.7 P, 5M	2500kg	1035kg	$33,070
Workmate, 2.7 P, 6A	2500kg	1025kg	$35,070
Workmate Hi-Rider, 2.4 TD, 6M	2800kg	1160kg	$40,160
Workmate Hi-Rider, 2.4 TD, 6A	2800kg	1105kg	$42,160
SR Hi-Rider, 2.8 TD, 6M	2800kg	1050kg	$43,230
SR Hi-Rider, 2.8 TD, 6A	2800kg	1040kg	$45,230
SR5 Hi-Rider, 2.8 TD, 6A	2800kg	1065kg	$53,690
4×4 Single Cab (cab chassis)
Workmate, 2.4 TD, 6M	3500kg	1275kg	$39,520
SR, 2.8 TD, 6M	3500kg	1250kg	$42,590
SR, 2.8 TD, 6A	3500kg	1250kg	$44,590
4×4 Extra Cab (cab chassis)
Workmate, 2.4 TD, 6A	3500kg	1150kg	$45,220
SR, 2.8 TD, 6M	3500kg	1200kg	$46,250
SR, 2.8 TD, 6A	3500kg	1195kg	$48,250
4×4 Extra Cab (pick-up)
SR5, 2.8 TD, 6A	3500kg	1045kg	$58,400
4×4 Double Cab (cab chassis)
Workmate, 2.4 TD, 6A	3500kg	1125kg	$47,290
SR, 2.8 TD, 6M	3500kg	1085kg	$48,510
SR, 2.8 TD, 6A	3500kg	1085kg	$50,660
SR5, 2.8 TD, 6A	3500kg	1105kg	$58,420 (new)
SR5+, 2.8 TD, 6A	3500kg	1105kg	$60,920 (new)
4×4 Double Cab (pick-up)
Workmate, 2.4 TD, 6M	3500kg	995kg	$46,790
Workmate, 2.4 TD, 6A	3500kg	980kg	$48,790
SR, 2.8 TD, 6M	3500kg	990kg	$50,010
SR+, 2.8 TD, 6M	3500kg	1005kg	$52,010
SR, 2.8 TD, 6A	3500kg	995kg	$52,160
SR+, 2.8 TD, 6A	3500kg	1005kg	$54,160
SR5, 2.8 TD, 6M	3500kg	1000kg	$57,920
SR5+, 2.8 TD, 6M	3500kg	1000kg	$60,420
SR5, 2.8 TD, 6A	3500kg	995kg	$59,920
SR5+, 2.8 TD, 6A	3500kg	995kg	$62,420

The new Hilux goes on sale tomorrow.