Toyota Hilux SR5

Let’s start with some positives... like the price of one of the most popular versions, the 4WD Double Cab SR5 auto which was at $63,990 but is now listed at $55,990. Then there are the interiors of the new Gen 8 models, all 21 of them! We’ll start with Damien: “Excellent seats and a brilliant seating position make the Hilux extremely comfortable. An attractive and well laid-out cabin makes it very pleasant indeed. “The new diesel engine is (also) thoroughly excellent. Smooth, refined and powerful, it is a highlight of new Hilux and it is hooked up to an equally excellent transmission." Damien also came away from our test happy that new Hilux hadn’t lost any of its legendary abilities off-road. “Absolutely brilliant off-ride ride and steering – a huge leap over the last Hilux which was excellent here as well. “New Hilux is also very easy to see out, despite it still being quite big, with excellent clearance and approach angles aided, in this regard, by that slightly awkward pointy nose!” John Oxley was also positive about the interior, the steering and the new 2.8-litre engine. “A big improvement over the old version in every way,” is how he kicked off his comments. “Great driving position, quite comfy and love the ipad-like central touchscreen and downloadable apps. Excellent power/torque, with delivery from way down the rev range. Smooth and quiet.” But. And there’s always a but, isn’t there? “Hilux has come a long way,” said John at his most diplomatic best, “but it still doesn’t like bumpy roads, even around town at low speed. (The new model is) chalk and cheese over the old one, but ride quality is still not what you get from some of the others.” Kevin raised a chuckle in the office when he described it as “good old-fashioned firm ute ride” adding that it would be “great for the farm hand, maybe not so great for the weekend warrior.” And to be fair, it did come into its own on Duncan’s farm. “As always, “said John, “the Hilux comes into its own off-road where the ride feels good, the steering positive and the very flexible engine gives torque from really low I the rev range, making off-road driving easy and smooth. “The rotary dial makes going from Hi to Lo range easier, there’s good engine braking and now hill descent, which makes things easier. Traction off-road is also very good. (In fact) Hilux creamed it when others in the group were battling a bit.” “Current Hilux owners won’t be disappointed when they trade up to a new one. It’s better, smoother, and a lot easier to drive off-road. "On-road though there is still the day-today issue of the hard, springy ride." As Damien concluded: “Ride on the road is the new Hilux’s biggest weakness – it’s bouncy and wearing – and is the single worst aspect of an otherwise excellent ute.”