Toyota Hilux (2005–2015)

October 2005

New Hilux launched in the UK

The sixth generation Toyota Hilux is launched for the UK market.

October 2006

Extra Cab model added to range

The Extra Cab, offered exclusively with four-wheel drive, became the first Hilux to adopt Toyota's new 2.5-litre D-4D 120 engine. This unit gave more power and torque and is cleaner than the previous Hilux engine. It's a two-door model, but features two occasional rear seats, equipped with three point seatbelts. These are incorporated into the design allowing a rear decklength of 1805mm compared to a Double Cab with 1520mm.

January 2007

Toyota launches high powered Hilux

The new 3.0-litre D-4D 170PS engine produces 343Nm of torque available from 1400 all the way up to 3400rpm. Available in the Hilux Double Cab in HL3 and Invincible trim, it can be specified with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. For improved off-road handling, the 3.0-litre D-4D Hilux is fitted as standard with a limited slip differential. The revised 2.5-litre D-4D 120 engine sees torque boosted from 260Nm to 325Nm, with more than 300Nm produced between 1600rpm and 2600rpm.

April 2008

Even more powerful Hilux introduced

Limited to 500 units it is equipped with the 3.0-litre D-4D engine that already features in the Hilux Invincible, but thanks to a Toyota Motorsport diesel engine performance kit, maximum output is increased to 197PS. This slashes the nought to 62mph acceleration time from 13.0 to 10.5 seconds (11.4 seconds for automatic versions). There is an even greater hike in torque performance, with a maximum 430Nm (up from 343Nm) sustained all the way from 1600rpm to 3200rpm.

June 2008

Hilux Invincible 200 launched

The Hilux Invincible 200 Double Cab is equipped with a Toyota Motor Sport diesel engine performance kit that transforms the performance of the 3.0-litre D-4D engine. Power is increased from 171PS to 197PS and maximum torque rises from 343 to 430Nm, making the Invincible 200 more powerful than any of its market rivals. What’s more, the hike in output brings no penalty in fuel consumption or emissions compared to the standard Invincible.

September 2008

Hilux improved for 2009

The 2009 Hilux is easily identified by new front-end styling with a new trapezoidal grille and grey plate bar. There is also a redesigned bumper, with a larger and wider opening. Inside there is a new four-spoke steering wheel includes integrated fingertip controls for the audio system and multi-information display and the wheel and gear knob gain a leather trim on HL3 models and above. The instrument cluster and controls for the wipers and lights have been improved and a better ergonomic design has been adopted for the shift console in versions with manual transmission.

A new five-speed automatic transmission is now available in the 3.0 D-4D Hilux Double Cab, giving smoother performance and better efficiency than the previous four-speed unit. Double Cab models enjoy better passive and active safety with the addition of VSC, (Invincible only) side airbags for the driver and front seat passenger and curtain airbag protection for front and outer rear seat occupants (3.0D-4D only). The Hilux also gained larger brakes with 297mm diameter ventilated front discs and 295mm drums for all four-wheel drive models, apart from the Invincible with VSC, which has 319mm ventilated front discs.

December 2009

Hilux revised for 2010

Toyota revised the 2.5 D-4D engine, the core power unit in the Hilux range, to produce significantly more power and extra torque. Maximum output has increased from 120PS to 144PS, a rise of 20 per cent. Maximum torque is up by 18Nm to a maximum 343Nm at 2000rpm.

Increases in Hilux’s gross vehicle weights have yielded improvements in payload performance, notably for Double Cab models where capacity has increased by 35kg on the HL2 Double Cab and 25kg on the HL3 Double Cab. The range has been revised with the high-power 3.0 D-4D engine now available exclusively in the Invincible Double Cab. Leather upholstery and satellite navigation with Bluetooth are now options on the Invincible.

July 2011

Facelifted Hilux announced

The Hilux was restyled with an all-new front end for 2012 model year, new interior styling to create a more car-like environment and the introduction of Toyota Touch with touchscreen multimedia unit, plus rear view camera, Bluetooth and USB port. Other changes included the addition of diesel particulate filter (DPF) to both engines to ensure compliance with Euro 5 emissions standards and giving reduced CO2 output and increased fuel economy.

As a result it has the lowest in class CO2 emissions of 194g/km for 2.5-litre Double Cab. The emissions figure for the 3.0 D-4D Double Cab automatic fell to 227g/km and the manual to 203g/km. Combined fuel consumption figures improved from 31.7mpg to 32.8mpg and 34.0mpg to 36.7mpg respectively (but see under 'what's bad').

February 2015

Runout top-of-the-range model Toyota Hilux Invincible launched

Priced at £23,842 + VAT for the manual and £24,842 for the automatic.

Has all the features of the Invincible plus multiple new styling options - all included in the vehicle price. These are four 17-inch alloy wheel designs and choice of either a hi-over bar or Style Pack of front guard, silver-coloured under-run, aluminium-finish scuff plates, chrome door handles and chrome surrounds for the bonnet air intake and rear lamp clusters; Chrome side bars with or without steps and four leather seat upholstery colour-ways.

The choice of 17-inch alloy wheel designs are the standard Invincible rim and a new Rica five-spoke in all-black or two-tone black/machined or black/graphite finish.

The Invincible X is available exclusively in Double Cab form with Toyota's 170PS 3.0-litre D-4D diesel engine matched to either five-speed manual or automatic transmission. With permanent four-wheel drive and an auto-disconnecting differential, the Hilux Invincible X is engineered to take on the toughest environments. It also benefits from a 2.8-tonne towing capacity.