Here’s Why The New Toyota Pick-Up Will Win You Admiring Glances At The DIY Superstore

The outgoing hybrid Toyota HiLux is equipped with electric assistance – but does that make it a green machine? Motoring editor Jeremy Taylor and Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby discuss.

Test Drive: Toyota HiLux

Jeremy: They’re everywhere in America, rock group the Eagles sang about them fondly in the song ‘Take It Easy’ and, here in the UK, any self-respecting builder with a penchant for cars secretly yearns for a pick-up truck.

An outsize flatbed with the right trimmings is a proper statement car – although it’s a fine line between naff and nifty. Once regarded as a utility vehicle for carrying and towing, the humble pick-up has morphed into an alternative family car with all-wheel drive.

Key models in the UK include the Ford Ranger, Volkswagen Amorak and Isuzu D-Max – while trendy Ineos also build a pick-up version of the rough and tumble Grenadier called the Quartermaster.

Our test car for a wet weekend in January is the long-serving Toyota HiLux. The current version is still equipped with a 2.8-litre diesel engine but now packs a battery pack, for modest improvements to performance and economy.

HiLux has been a dependable workhorse for almost 60 years. However, in June, an all-electric version will be available in the ninth-generation line-up – offering greener motoring and cleaner emissions.

So, what does this outgoing HiLux have to offer? The rugged Toyota beats key rivals for carrying capacity, towing up to 3,500 kg. It’s well-priced at £41,525 for the Invincible X model we tested, although that doesn’t include VAT.

And while some drivers like their pick-ups with flashy decals and butch off-road trim, the HiLux keeps things simple. Apart from a smattering of chrome and beefy 18-inch, black alloy wheels, it slipped under the radar parked at the builders’ merchants.

Pick-ups don’t boast the same level of comfort and everyday practicality as SUVs, but a high-riding driving position and the choice of luxury interiors make them far more user-friendly than you might imagine.

Like most pick-ups, the HiLux is a double cab, comfortably carrying four people. The Toyota isn’t as well-appointed inside as the best-selling Ford Ranger and also feels a bit dated, but those are two areas that will almost certainly be put to rights when the next generation model goes on sale this summer.

Inside, the eight inch touchscreen is particularly old-school – after all, this model has been around since 2016 – while the hard plastics used for much of the trim are in desperate need of an upgrade. Front and rear parking sensors and six-speaker audio are part of the package.

Under the bonnet, the hybrid HiLux has a tiny 0.2 kWh battery linked to a chunky diesel engine. It’s not a plug-in car, so electrification just makes this Toyota run quieter and smoother, especially at higher speeds.

There is a ton of power on tap for towing or off-road situations, but even in ‘sport’ mode, the HiLux feels sluggish on-road – not that you would want to drive this monster fast. Handling refinement is lacking and, driven carefully, the Toyota can barely manage 30 mpg.

It’s impossible to fault the HiLux’s credentials as a workhorse, but the outgoing model is certainly ready for a major upgrade. The forthcoming version (pictured below), should give this favourite a fresh lease of life – and more chances to sing along to the Eagles. Altogether now: ‘it’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford, slowin’ down to take a look at me…’

The All New Toyota HiLux

Jessica: The next generation HiLux will be a major step forward for Toyota, available with petrol, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell and pure electric power. The downside of the battery model is that it will only offer a range of around 150 miles and won’t be able to carry such a large payload in the back.

However, with a 10-year guarantee, ‘smart’ 4×4 technology and that legendary HiLux name, it should be a gamechanger for those looking to green up their act. It also looks more modern and so much cooler.

Discover more about the Toyota HiLux and the All-New HiLux at toyota.co.uk

Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby is Director of Programmes at London College of Fashion, studying for a PhD in sustainable e-textile design.