The Toyota Hilux has for long been in consideration for a launch in India; will widen the lifestyle pickup truck segment in our country.
Toyota retailers in India have begun taking unofficial reservations for the forthcoming Hilux, with prices ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh depending on the location. The market will open to the public in January 2022. The Toyota Hilux will compete against the Isuzu D-Max in the niche sector of lifestyle pickup trucks. Toyota India is yet to officially launch reservations for the Hilux.
- Hilux is built on the same platform as the Innova and Fortuner
- Expected to be powered by Toyota’s 2.4-litre and 2.8-litre diesel engines
- Interior components and features expected to be similar to Fortuner
Toyota Hilux: Underpinnings & Engines
The Hilux is built on the IMV-2 platform, which also supports the Innova Crysta and Fortuner. As a result, several components, including as the engine, transmission, four-wheel-drive system, and suspension components, will be shared. The Hilux has a length of 5,285mm and a wheelbase of 3,085mm. The Fortuner is 4,795mm long to give you a sense of scale.
The crucial thing to remember is that both the Innova Crysta and the Fortuner are made in India, so keeping costs down won’t be a problem.
The Hilux is believed to be powered by the Fortuner’s 204hp, 2.8-litre diesel engine and will be available with four-wheel drive. Its gearbox possibilities, on the other hand, are unknown. This engine, in reality, has a large peak torque of 500Nm and should be ideal for the load carrier. As a result, the lower-spec variations might be priced fairly low, attracting more purchasers.
Toyota Hilux: Exterior & Interior
The Hilux is expected to be sold in India in its double-cab body type, and while the truck’s fundamental design resembles that of the Fortuner, the truck’s face is noticeably different. The Hilux gets a new hexagonal grille, swept-back LED headlamps, and a more robust bumper. The Hilux’s length is most noticeable when viewed from the side, and the double-cab appearance will be extremely uncommon for India. The back end, on the other hand, resembles that of most ordinary pickup trucks.
The Hilux is likely to share a lot of interior trim and features with the Fortuner in India. The dashboard, steering wheel, and seats are likely to remain the same. The Hilux is likely to include features such as an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. This implies the Hilux’s inside will be functional and comfortable, while legroom will be limited.
Toyota Hilux: Expected Price & Rivals
The Isuzu D-Max is currently the only lifestyle pickup truck on sale in India and will also be the only rival to the Toyota Hilux when it’s launched. The former is currently priced from Rs 18.05 lakh-25.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). There is no news on the pricing for the Hilux and sources tell us that it could cost around Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom).
What do you think about the Hilux in India? Let us know in the comments below.
