2009 Toyota HiLux sneak preview

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By Alborz Fallah | August 27th, 2008

A source deep inside Toyota has managed to sneak out some pictures and information regarding the facelift for the new Toyota HiLux, with production of the new model starting this month.

Although from what we can gather the only significant change is the slight redesign of the front and minor improvements to the interior.

The Thai-made HiLux will also receive cruise control on SR5 manual transmission double cab models.

New kerb and gross vehicle mass weights have also been updated and are listed below (click on image to enlarge):

What do you think of the updated HiLux?

Dlr1

Typical Toyota facelift. New uglier grille and bumper. Very little effort required when you dominate the segment though.
FRUGAL_ONE

I believe this is all on the Thailand Toyota website

Its now even more ugly.

No wonder they sell so many Navara’s

Cheers

F-0
JEYKL AND HYDE

Might give the toyota fleet department something to talk about for five mintues.SSDD,and same price,ouch
http://deleted Alex

Whats with the gear stick? I havnt seen such an ugly one in about ten years!
Carl

Just as ugly as the current model, makes the Navara look like a supermodel.
Golfschwein

What do I think of it? Easy.

It’s hideously over-wrought in the grille department and chronically over-bodied/under-tyred everywhere else.

None of this will matter to those who bought the twin rear wiper Camry wagon without question 15 years ago.
DanMan

Will sell every one they can get. Hilux is the biggest selling vehicle (all types) for how many years? two, three?
If you cant afford it you wont like it. Same as it ever was… Grill is as per Tundra in the US.
Wait until you see it in the metal until you judge it. opps common sense crept in then, my bad..
Carl

DanMan….your logic amuses me because using the criteria that you described (we only say the hilux is ugly because we can’t afford it) then we must all love the look of cars like the Ssangyong dual cab Ute! That’s and affordable Ute isn’t it???

Grow up and accept the fact that Toyota won’t manage to brain wash everyone with their bullshit marketing and don’t be so bitter about it!
Richo

DanMan – its a bit elitest the say that the only people who don’t like hilux’s are people who can’t afford them… We are hardly talking about a porsche here mate! And have you seen the people who drive them? None of them look particularly rich buddy! The current model hilux is not as “tough” as previous models, which is what alot of people are complaining about, BUT it is alot nicer to drive on the road then previous models, and in my personal opinion is bettered only by the new navara as far as on road dynamics is concerned. It’s a good truck, but its not best in class anymore, thats just the way it is mate, but for those who have bought ones, they will be very happy with it because as i said, its still a very good truck
Richo

one very big thing going for the hilux is that more so then any other ute on the market, it has easily the widest range of aftermarket accessories available for it, which is why so many serious 4WDers and people after outback tourers still go for the hilux, even if its not the best anymore, because with the range of accessories available for it you can easily make it into a really excellent truck. I still prefer the triton though, dunno why, just something about it makes me like it more… probably just because its a mitsubishi and i like mitsubishi’s lol
AC COBRA

More whitegood trash >>>> boring !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yawn !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The only reason Toyoda sell is because thier advertising hoodwink’s the public.

ZZzzZZ ZZZZZZZZ zzzzzzZzzzzzzz Yawn !!!!!!!!!

Hilux Sux……………..

“OH WHAT A BORING CAR” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Realcars

Big effort by toyota again.LOL.

OLD MODEL LOOKS BETTER!

Love the overbite grill,NOT!LOL.
Ian

This is uglier than the pre-facelifted version, which was no oil painting. And if prices and standard euipment don’t change much, it will still be the worst value for money in its segment. Not to mention there are better driving alternatives. Given the above and Hilux’s sales numbers, there are way too many blind sheep out there.
Wheelnut

Is the fact that the glovebox is open at a sign of Toyotas build quality slipping? or is that the only improvement to the cabin? a roomier place to store the UBD
http://porsche Millatime

Looks like a Toyota Crown with crappy cheap 15 inch wheels and drum rear brakes…

Seriously, why would you spend more to get into a Hilux just to end up with less than the competition are offering.

Should come with free kidney belt.

If you are in the market do yourself a massive favour (financially and also so your mates don’t laugh endlessly at you) and take a long hard look at Navara; BT 50; Ranger and Triton.

Do the math, all are better value and whats more, better vehicles.
Wheelnut

Quote [Millatime] Seriously, why would you spend more to get into a Hilux just to end up with less than the competition are offering.

Same reason you’d spend the extra and still end up in a Corolla; a Camry; a Aurion; a Tarago or a TRD.

There are a lot of other cheaper alternaties to Toyota around with better specifications and features etc
but people are so easily swayed fooled and misled.

For instance look at how popular shows like Big Brother are/were despite the fact there is no real substance to them at all. People just got caught up in the hype – but overtime the appeal wore off. And in a way the same applies to as it does with Toyota’s.

In the end you realise that it’s nothing special…. just another car with the same level of build quality as the competition [in some cases less] same level of performance as the competition [in some cases less] same level of features as the competition [in some cases less]

Yet because you spent so much money on not only buying it but maintaining it you try to convince yourself that it is as good as the salesman or the television told you because no one likes to own up for having made a such mistake

As they say believe half of what you read and even less of what you hear.
VW_Freak

Ummm, CA you say a source deep inside Toyota? This information is available to Toyota dealers via their intranet, and has been for months. It’s up to the dealers to keep this information embargoed, and it’s not supposed to be reproduced. I wouldn’t be surprised if TMCA start asking you questions… same applies to your RAV4 article.
Realcars

tmca asking questions?LOL.

Free publicity on the new uglier grill.

Hilux owners will be stampeding dealers to upgrade!

Probably camping in front of Toyota dealers to get their order in as we type!

Quite a party ehh?

All jumping around doing the Oh what a Feeling jump!

Then there is the resale.LOL.
ant

Own a Hilux it is a great car with great fuel economy have had no problems mechanically with it, although this the first toyota I have had that has had recalls, some of which my vehicle was not effected by. I also like the navara but was swayed by the reliability of toyota. What I would like to see is the same motor in the hilux as they have in the prado (more torque) and the five speed auto or 6 speed manual which are far better gearboxes than the current offerings
http://ozmazdaclub.com Ozmazdaclub ZB

Would rather a BT-50

Lolux are overated…nothing like they use to be.

All you see now are bling SR5′s
alec

Something that still surprises me is the weight of teh Hilux…
Is the SR5 Double Cab really only about 1650kgs??????
Richo

one problem with the hilux is that water floods in the door sills if you try and ford through water. This is a problem alot of new hilux owners are complaining about and so far toyota has not been very helpfull to those owners. I’m not talking about being stuck in the middle of a creek here with water up to the window line, people driving (not stopping) through water that barely even reaches the bottom of the doors are getting the front footwells flooded with water… not good!
Realcars

I just wish the bloody things would get out of my way.LOL
They are reliable because they are driven by Old Women.LOL.
06 Hilux owner

Not sure on the new grille but I like the new bumper.

i’ve driven all the utes on the market and yes the Hilux is the most expensive yar yar, however throw a set of rims on it and it’s far better looking than any of the others. . .

And when it comes time to trade it in it would be the only Ute i’d want to be owning. . .
Realcars

How do Toyota owners “know” that their Toyotas are more RELIABLE than anything else when they own/drive nothing else?

Seumas do yourself a favour and get a Falcon ute up ya!LOL.
Totally over Dingo’s false names

I also utilise utes during my working responsibilities,
and i can tell you the Hilux isnt the absolute golden child as you Hilux Heros try to make out or even believe, “and anyone like myself who utilise these vehicles everyday, believe me when i say ‘i know what i am talking about’.”

one day, at least you guys might believe your own stuff

the thing is “Seumas”,
as you said you are exposed to Hilux’s every working day of your life.
perhaps if you werent so blind sided, you wouldnt make such a ridiculous comment.
just because Rio Tinto buys tonnes of Hiluxs on bulk fleet prices, it doesnt mean they are the best.
how many times now has the Hilux been out classed by the Navara, Ranger, BT50 in the 4X4 tests over the years??
Andrew M

i second that Realcars
Wheelnut

But Realcars – is there anything else apart from Toyotas?
First up you have the Image Conscious Yuppie Toyota owners in their Prados/Cruiser/Hiluxes who can’t see anything else on the roads apart from the other Prados or Landcruisers on the Road as they are so high off the ground

Then there are the elderly that drive a Camry/Aurion which has an A pillar thicker than that of a VE Commodre that they can’t see around it not to mention the bad driving position which makes it so that they are peeking over the dash unable to see past the wipers.

And finally the young female owners in their Yaris/Corollas who are so busy either doing their make up in the mirror or talking on the phone etc that theu very rarely focus on the road
Realcars

Gee quoting Aust Post Management ain’t a good look
Seumas!LOL.

Toyota probably gave the bloody things away as Toyota does when they want to flood the market just as they do with rental companies etc.

All part of their marketing strategy to saturate the market.

Similar to when u pee in your incontinence pad at the sight of a Lexus.LOL.
Realcars

Gee now I have this weird image of Seumas and his mates standing around the bulletin board tomorrow grunting at each other and sniffing each others farts.LOL.
Realcars

What’s this about TOYOTA cheating at Nascar?

Another Aurion Dragcar/gocart DEBACLE EH?LOL.
Golfschwein

Seumas is Dingo. Confirmed.
Golfschwein

Hey Realcars, yaaaaaaiir. Imagine Seumas’ workmates tomorrow when he explains to them he goes on to a motoring site under multiple aliases to make Toyotas look popular.

I’m sure there’ll be a hush in the room along with an unusual concentration of teabag jiggling and excuses to ring their long-lost brother-in-law, as they ponder the calibre of freako lunatic they’re working with.
Richo

Seumas/Dingo – firstly my comment about water leaking into the front footwells, read the latest 4WD monthly magazine, in the readers letters section, you will see where i got this info from and the 4WD montly editor confirmed that this is a common issue with new hilux owners.

Secondly australia post’s fleet is utes and vans you ignoramous, they won’t be buying corolla’s, aurions and prius’s, they will be buying hilux’s and hiace’s. And the only reason they are replacing their ford transits with hiace’s is because transits no longer come in auto’s, and australia post’s fleet is 100% auto’s. Also they are not replacing their “entire fleet” with toyota’s, because they are also buying merceedes sprinters for their extra large van fleet, mainly because they are the only extra large van available now with an auto box since the transit stopped coming in auto a few years back. They are only using hiace’s for their smaller van fleet.

Get your facts straight dingo before you start going on and on
http://. Naughtyius Maxiumus

IMMUNITY IS NOT SPREAD TO FORD AND HOLDEN JOB LOSSES AND A SLIDE IN SALES…….

Toyota to reduce production at UK plant as sales continue to skid. Production and job losses will be on cards to from what I read!

Great story on fortunes of Toyota…..so much for those immune ones who think Toyota will never go backwards! Toyota, which is struggling alongside the rest of the car sector to address sliding markets in North America and Europe is not immune to what Ford and Holden going through!
Bavarian Missile

Only reason they have started using Hilux’s back in the mining industry in W.A is cause there twin air bags and mining companies are demanding more safety as usual.My brother is a driller and has told me that BHP are one of the worse,AUS-DRILL have just started buying them over the old flat trays and aren’t all that happy with them,bulk noisy on the road and still have the nick name ROLLUX!
Golfschwein

Good morning Bavarian Missile.

Did you also hear that Seumas is Dingo?
Bavarian Missile

Hey Golfy……….yeah I can see that,when we going to start deleting his comments ya think,why does he waist his time?
Bavarian Missile

Make that waste!
Richo

Seumas – I have looked their mate, and although they are buying some of the other models, the MAJORITY OF AUSTRALIA POST’S FLEET IS UTES AND VANS! I mean thats just bloody common sense mate.. have you ever gone to Australia Post’s Brisbane mail sorting centre at Underwood? Mate the place is crawling with utes and vans! NOT SMALL SEDANS AND HATCHES!

Their is a small corporate fleet their of corolla and yaris sized cars, but by a long margin the MAJORITY of australia posts fleet is utes and vans. I mean why on earth and i even justifying this? ITS COMMON SENSE DINGO YOU IDIOT! Do you see posties lugging bags of mail around in the back of corolla’s? No! They transport them in vans you goose!
Richo

haha i see your now switching your argument to australia posts CORPORATE fleet now that i have proved you WRONG! Australia Post’s CORPORATE fleet does NOT consist of 1000 vehicles mate! Barely a couple of hundred! So wow a couple of hundred more toyota’s on the road with Australia post! Big whoop when their van and ute fleet is SIGNIFICANTLY larger!
Richo

Seumas – way to show how little you actually know about australia post. A good portion of australia posts ute and van fleet are NOT already toyota’s! Almost all of Australia Posts van fleet are ford transits actually, and they are now in the process of replacing the transits with mercedes sprinters due to the fact the transit no longer comes in auto’s. Also, while a number of their utes are hilux’s, the majority of their utes are actually mazda dual cab’s! So why don’t you learn a little bit about what your talking about hey bud?!?

Also on that site where you read about the falcons possible demise, did you also read about the engineering excellence award the FG falcon won? No? oh i see you just glossed over that one did you even though it was at the start of the page and your doom and gloom story about the falcon was towards the bottom of the page!
Bavarian Missile

Hey Richo seems CA have got the delete button working……..hehehe
Richo

he still didn’t take the hint BM!
Golfschwein

The anger’s coming through. What a delicious way to finish a Friday afternoon.
Golfschwein

Demise of jeffro’s comments coming soooooooooooon…

mmm I can taste it now.

Most delicious of all.
Richo

Dingo are you desperately trying to find someone else like you to make yourself feel better? Sorry mate its not going to be me… I’m too busy working two jobs mate!
http://. Naughtyius Maxiumus

Here here I second the motion about the dipstick……
Bavarian Missile

Geez Golfy I better watch myself,keep in your good books or Ill find myself deleted,have I told you how good your looking today…….hehehe Can I drop a bottle of red down to you? 5 weeks till Wheelnut moves in so we’ll all do a Friday night catchup soon. Perhaps up here over looking the lights of Perth on Kalamunda’s escarpment,should be warmer then!
Golfschwein

Good evening bavarian Missile. Take no notice of the post at 8.19pm. It was written by someone who’s getting a little, shall we say…angry

I’ve never had Dingo impersonate me before, so there’s a first time for everything.

Anyway, accepted! Will talk wi ya soon.
Bavarian Missile

Yep I noticed they went on as me on the Caddy post………arnt we lucky !
Golfschwein

Another funny thing, Bav Mis, this is the first tme he’s spelled Golfschwein correctly. I can picture him now, going letter by letter, tongue hanging out of the sifde of his mouf trying nut to get it rong cuz he’s nut weally smart.
http://. Naughtyius Maxiumus

True Golfie….he is snott wheely smartt and is quiet a simple ton duf-us yeast swill-er! How can 1 take a tossa like that seriarse!
Bemused

Hello
I\’m new to this website and drive a ba falcon ute so I\’m no Toyota fan but I can\’t believe some of the drivel being written about Toyota here. Last time I looked the Market capitalisation of Toyota was TWENTY FOUR times that of GM.
That kind of number is made by people putting their money where they are going to get a return not because give 2 stuffs about a brand one way or the other. But alot of people commenting here seem to think Toyota has brainwashed everyone into buying their cars hmmmmmmm interesting theory because they just keep buying them. Fellas your all too emotionally involved but the market isn\’t.
http://Triton Jason

Now this is why Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara are going to dominate the ute segment.
I wouldn’t be able to justify an extra $4,000 for a Toyota badge. Would you?
hoodoo

Does anyone mention the half star occupent safety rating the navara recieved recently??The nissan deisel engine that goes pop but was fixed by nissan with a longer dipstick?? Not to mention the resale value! To call all hilux/toyata drivers sheep is just stupid….I did the math (not the emotion)
farmer

Here in africa toyota hilux sells like crazy, why because of reliability,service any where in africa you get them and second hand value that is better than anything else even than the share markets.Just a pitty because of the same reasons it also is the pick-up that is stolen the most.A friend once remarked on nissan that it is like awoman, no second hand value.
mrmaxc

Does anyone know of good looking rims that are legal on 4×4 Hilux dual cab model 2005-2008 looking at pro comp but offset too big giving 40 mm change to track width. Also if tyre height goes up can you recal speedo?
Mario

I am writing to inform every one how dissapointed with Toyota i am!
A little bit of history, i have been a Proud Hilux Owner, having owned a fantastic 1992 SR5. The old girl had done me proud until it finally gave up the ghost after almost 400 000 kms. Because i was so happy with the hilux i decided to upgrade and buy a new 2009 SR5!
Any way after waiting for almost 4 months to take delivery of my brand new machine, i was so excited to pick up the new rig, organised flights to fly to Perth and pick it up, with plans to do a bit of an adventure tour consisting of 1800 kms of open road.
I picked the car up, it looked the part, Toyota had done well. They had fitted all of the fruit as requested. Time to hit the road!
Well i made it 700km out of town before the retaining bolt had fallen out of the front left hand ball joint (at 110km/h this can be quite scary! Not to mention the damage)

The worst thing is, no one i speak to at Toyota seems to be concerned with the fact that the car could have quite easily come unstuck at the speed i was doing!
Any way, managed to crawl into the next town, who just happened to have their very own Toyota dealer. Got the bolt replaced and was told that this is a common occurance and the Toyota mechanic was notified of this problem 6 months prior to this incident.
Not only has toyota denied this as being a common problem, but they are also think that repairing the car will solve the problem. Well i think not! When someone buys a new car, they expect to receive a new problem free vehicle that they can jump in, turn the key and drive! Not a vehicle that has been repaired and god only knows what kind of internal damage!
Any way, finally made it home, managed to get some parts ordered for the vehicle, had the front end bolts checked and back on the road.
2500km on the clock now and the driving lights have fallen out of the bull bar, and at close inspection there doesnt seem to be any screws holding them in place!

I tell you what, after this i am no longer a proud owner of a Hilux, I am now the embarrassed owner of a piece of crap lemon!
So for all of you out there looking at buying a new hilux, i would seriously reconsider!
mj

reading some of these comments are a bit of a joke, i drive a Toyota not because they look good, i drive the new shape 2006 Hi-ace, its Know picture, but with the turbo diesel i get good Mileage for my money, and has been Totaly reliable, every toyota i have owned i have got a good price when i have sold them, not like other brands i dont need to mention. all i can say is Toyota has great resale value,parts easy to get,reliability,good fuel economy ,what else do you need?