Skip advert
Advertisement

Toyota Hilux (2004-2016)

Is pick-up legend a match for more modern competitors?

Few vehicles are universally recognised by their model name alone, but the Hilux is a true motoring legend. Europe’s best-selling pick-up is famous the world over for its unmatchable dependability, and Toyota has now given it a facelift to keep it at the sharp end of the pick-up market.

The Hilux has never been a stylish choice and the latest model isn’t about to change that. It looks distinctly dated compared to the Ford and VW, but top-of-the-range Invincible trim includes chrome sidesteps and 17-inch alloys. Plus, the revised styling has cleaner, less frumpy lines than before.

Advertisement - Article continues below

What the Toyota does provide is value for money: the £25,735 flagship model tested here has the biggest and most powerful engine of the three, as well as an auto box, yet it still costs £660 less than the manual Ford Ranger Limited.

Opting for the manual version of the Hilux will save you a further £1,000, but it comes with a five-speed box, rather than the six gears you get in the Volkswagen and Ford.

Climb aboard after driving the Amarok or Ranger, and the Toyota feels incredibly old-fashioned. Even the addition of the latest Toyota Touch control system for the stereo and Bluetooth phone connection fails to lift the pretty low-rent cabin.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

3 Saloon

2019 Mazda

3 Saloon

11,533 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £16,397
View 3 Saloon
Stonic

2020 Kia

Stonic

54,374 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L

Cash £11,797
View Stonic
500

2024 Fiat

500

11,791 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £11,497
View 500
Formentor

2024 Cupra

Formentor

22,591 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £19,997
View Formentor

The driving position isn’t perfect, either: you sit too high up and the steering wheel doesn’t adjust for reach, so it’s harder to get comfortable in the Hilux than it is in the other trucks.

The automatic transmission does the Toyota few favours when it comes to emissions (its CO2 output of 227g/km compares to 203g/km for the manual version), yet performance is still strong. Thanks to its more potent 3.0-litre diesel engine, the Toyota accelerated from 0-60mph more than a second faster than its rivals, in a time of 11.5 seconds.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The engine isn’t the most refined diesel around, but it’s reasonably hushed at 70mph on the motorway. However, there is more wind noise from around the big door mirrors and A-pillars than we noticed in the Ford and Volkswagen.

On twistier roads there’s more body roll than in the Ranger, but the trade-off is softer suspension and a more comfortable ride. Big bumps and ruts still unsettle the Toyota when it’s unladen, but it has perfectly acceptable dynamics for a hard-working pick-up.

We do have two major criticisms of the driving experience, though. Firstly, the brake pedal was very soft from the first stop in our tests. The brakes performed strongly enough, but didn’t inspire as much confidence as the Ford or Volkswagen set-ups. Our other complaint concerns the steering, which is accurate but has an unnatural weighting that increases heavily when cornering.

These shortcomings only serve to highlight the Toyota’s dated underpinnings. But with its competitive prices, healthy list of standard equipment and legendary reputation, the Hilux sets a tough standard for its rivals to beat.

Details

Chart position: 3
WHY: Few vehicles cast such a lengthy shadow over their rivals as the Toyota Hilux. It’s a true legend in the pick-up class.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £5,330 off RRP*
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,575Avg. savings £2,614 off RRP*Used from £7,850
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,576 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £3,189 off RRP*Used from £11,990
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Skoda Elroq and Enyaq get Electric Car Grant approval
Skoda Elroq - front cornering

Skoda Elroq and Enyaq get Electric Car Grant approval

Despite some models costing over the £37,000 threshold, Skoda has secured the government grant on its mid-size electric SUVs
News
2 Sep 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Enjoy Scandinavian style with the Volvo XC40 for just £296 a month
Volvo XC40 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Enjoy Scandinavian style with the Volvo XC40 for just £296 a month

Swedish company’s popular compact SUV is still effortlessly cool, and great value with our Deal of the Day for 31 August
News
31 Aug 2025
New Fiat Grande Panda goes on sale with tiny price and big ambition
Fiat Grande Panda La Prima - front cornering

New Fiat Grande Panda goes on sale with tiny price and big ambition

The newly crowned Auto Express Supermini of the Year is available in hybrid or pure-electric form, with the EV offering 199 miles of range
News
1 Sep 2025