Toyota unveils redesigned '12 Hilux

Jul 15, 2011, 12:07pm ET

The famously rugged Hilux pickup receives new styling inside and out as well as cleaner, more efficient engines.

The Toyota Hilux, a pickup long recognized for its extreme durability (and an excellent choice to aid in surviving an apocalypse), will be the beneficiary of a comprehensive update for the 2012 model year. Significant revisions to the Tacoma-sized workhorse, which is not sold in the U.S., include new exterior and interior styling, a revised multimedia interface, and more environmentally friendly engines.



The Hilux receives new styling from the A-pillar forwards, including a new hood, radiator grille, headlamps and bumper. New wheel designs, along with new side bars and steps for the top-dog Hilux Invincible model, round out the exterior changes.



Inside, the Hilux gets a more car-like upper dashboard design and horizontal instrumental cluster. Uniform dark finishes and a new chrome surround for the instrument binnacle on the Invincible conspire to add a touch of civility to a truck that will likely see a great deal of use in particularly uncivilized environments. The Toyota Touch multimedia unit, standard on upper trim levels, includes a color 6.1-inch touchscreen as well as Bluetooth and a USB port for connecting digital music players.



The Hilux soldiers on with its current powertrains, though both engines have received a new diesel particulate filter to comply with Euro 5 emissions standards, resulting in significantly lower CO2 -emissions and improved mileage. The base engine, a 142 horsepower 2.5-liter diesel four-cylinder, emits 194 g/km and returns 38.7 mpg combined on the European test cycle. The 169 horsepower 3.0 four, also a diesel, pollutes at a rate of 227 g/km for the manual and 203 g/km for the automatic, while fuel economy checks in at 32.8 mpg and 36.7 mpg, respectively. Those desirous of the 5-speed automatic transmission must spring for the Invincible; all other models come only with a row-your-own 5-speed.



Single, extra, and double cab bodystyles will be available, while trim levels, from lowest to highest, include the HL2, HL3 and Invincible. Pricing for the Hilux, which goes on sale in October, starts at �'£16,090 for HL2 4WD Single Cab.



