Toyota Hilux review

We tested a Double Cab Hilux, but on low-spec models there’s also the option of a two-door Single Cab or an Extra Cab with small rear suicide doors. The double-cab offers seating for four regular-sized adults, though five will be a pinch thanks to the narrow middle seat and of course, you’ll all have to sit bolt-upright thanks to the vertical rear bulkhead. The doors are oddly lightweight and need a bit of a slam to shut first time. 

Up front, Toyota’s included a game of ‘count the materials’ in Invincible X versions. Clue: they’re all plastic. There’s plastic pretending to be glossy piano wood, plastic playing at being metal, plastic masquerading as wood and even plastic not doing a very good job of being plastic.

It’s a mishmash, and a VW Amarok is more coherent, but the Hilux feels tough and hard-wearing in the right areas. The steering wheel is downright abrasive, though it’ll exfoliate your rough hand calluses on the drive home. 

The 8.0-inch touchscreen fitted to all versions except the entry-level Active is Toyota’s familiar Touch 2 system, with shortcut hard-keys surrounding the screen. You can avoid the dated-looking native interface thanks to Apple and Android compatibility, with local charging USBs. 

The nine-speaker JBL hi-fi on top-spec Invincible X versions is extremely powerful but almost seems out of place, like fitting underfloor heating to a portacabin. Elsewhere, it’s all very no-nonsense. The heater is powerful, the seats comfortable. Clear dials, chunky steering wheel buttons, hefty grab handles and lots of stowage. What’s missing? Reach adjustment in the steering column, chiefly, and easily reachable heated seat buttons. 

Out back, there’s a three-year warranty on the plastic-lined load bed, and if you go for the top-spec Invincible X trim there’s a burly tailgate handle to match the thickset body cladding and front bumper.