To be available only in the double-cab lifestyle version, the Toyota Hilux shares a lot with the Fortuner when it comes to the features and underpinnings
Unveiled by Toyota Kirloskar Motor last week, the Hilux is expected to finally launch in India by March this year. However, it looks like the first batch of the vehicles is already being shipped to the dealerships as a flatbed carrying some vehicles has been spotted recently. As revealed recently, the Toyota Hilux will be sold in India only in the double-cab variant, and it will go on to rival the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross.
Toyota Hilux shares aplenty with the Innova Crysta as well as the Fortuner as it’s based on the same IMV-2 platform. You can even see the pick-up carry similar features but its front fascia has been thoroughly revised to help it carve out its own identity and not look like a pick-up version of the SUV sibling. However, the large LED headlamps with LED DRLs will definitely remind you a fair bit of the Innova Crysta but the massive grille and the huge bumper make it look far bolder. In the side profile, the pick-up would impress with its huge 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels along with muscular wheel arches and chrome highlights at some places. Highlights of the rear-end include LED taillamps that look quite premium.
Inside, the Toyota Hilux looks a lot like the recently updated Fortuner that’s on sale in the country. The all-black cabin thus has a familiar layout and even there are many features in common between the two Toyotas. The pick-up gets the updated 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 8-speaker JBL audio system, cruise control, electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, ventilated seats and wireless smartphone charger.
Specs
Even the engine is shared between the Hilux and the Fortuner. Under the hood, you’ll find the same 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine that powers the Fortuner. It outputs a maximum power of 201 bhp along with a peak torque of 420 Nm with the manual transmission and 500 Nm with the automatic transmission. But unlike the Fortuner, the Hilux won’t be available in 4×2 format and would come equipped with 4×4 as standard along with drive-assist features like hill-assist, brake assist, hill descent control, electronic stability program, limited-slip differential and differential lock. The Hilux will come to us via SKD route and will be assembled the carmakers Bidadi-based factory in Karnataka. It will have a localization of 30 per cent.
