It says a lot that the previous generation Toyota Hilux was still outselling newer rivals in the final few months before it was replaced.
Toyota's one-tonner has a cast-iron reputation for toughness and reliability that has won it three decades of market leadership against competitors that have often been better priced and boasted more features.
That toughness is still there in the new Hilux, launched in South Africa last month, but it's a much better bakkie all round with more competitive pricing.
The latest Hilux is built at Toyota's Durban plant for the local and export markets; it's a clean sheet design with no components, including the engines, carried over from the old range.
It has grown to be the largest in its class, offering significantly more cabin room and comfort, more features, improved load space and better safety in both single and double-cab derivatives.
There's a tough new ladder-type chassis under the new Hilux - bigger, stronger and incorporating crash impact crumple zones to absorb collision energy.
The first Hilux we were offered for review was the 3.0 D4-D double cab Raised Body Raider 4x4, the top diesel derivative of the 15-model range.
Whether the styling can be called handsome is debatable but Hilux is bold and aggressive like an American pickup. The Raised Body Raider is distinguished by its colour-coded bumpers, side steps, 15" alloy wheels, chrome mirrors, and front fog lights.
A "Raider Plus" factory fitted option adds a rollover bar and tonneau cover.
The new three-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged and inter-cooled engine claims the highest output in its class - its 120kW and 343Nm peak torque easily outgun turbodiesel versions of the Isuzu KB (96kW and 280Nm), Nissan Hardbody (105kW and 314Nm) and Mitsubishi Colt (92kW and 294Nm).
The Hilux is cheaper than these less powerful rivals at R293 800, with the Isuzu retailing for R323 133, the Mitsubishi for R295 900, and the Nissan for R318 960. The Colt has no crash bags and neither the Isuzu nor Nissan have standard service plans - the Toyota has both.
The turbodiesel is strong and gutsy - and reasonably quiet for a bakkie. It accelerates with vigour and easily maintains fast cruising speeds, though the five-speed manual transmission is quite notchy and doesn't respond kindly to hurried gearshifts. Fuel consumption during the test was an unexpectedly economical 10.2 litres/100km.
There's little turbo lag and the bakkie has a broad spread of power from low rpm, thanks to a variable-vane turbocharger that delivers maximum torque between 1400 and 3200 rpm.
Strong low-rpm muscle
The diesel's characteristics are also well suited to off-road work where the strong low-rpm muscle makes easy work of hills and its high compression ensures good engine braking down steep descents.
The Hilux copes well in rough terrain thanks to its low range gear, all-wheel drive and rear diff lock. There wasn't an obstacle it couldn't handle on Gerotek's demanding off-road course and its generous ride height kept it from scraping.
It can go from two to four-wheel drive "on the fly" - using a second gear lever rather than the easier push-button method found in modern 4x4 SUVs - and the front wheel hubs are now self-locking.
ABS brakes are standard on this model; the example we drove stopped well although several journalists at the Hilux media launch last month complained of brake fade after repeated hard braking on a mountain pass.
The new Hilux has made significant progress in reducing noise and vibration. It now has coil springs at the front in place of the previous model's torsion bars. This has improved ride quality although though the bakkie still bounces over rough roads with no load in the back.
The double-skinned load box is big enough for garden rubble or weekend toys - at 1520x 1515mm it'll take a small quad (or a big one with the tailgate open). There are internal rope hooks to tie things down and the tailgate opens with a convenient centre latch.
Load capacity has risen to 971kg from the old Hilux 4x4 double cab's 763kg
Car-like interior
The cabin of the new Hilux is more pleasant and car-like than its predecessor's, blending robustness with styling flair and more opulent materials. The seats of the Raider derivative are upholstered in a comfortable soft velour cloth.
The Raider comes with electric windows all around, air conditioning, a radio/CD and remote central locking. Both the driver and front passenger have crash bags.
The radio and ventilation system are mounted high up on the fascia for easy access and the steering wheel is height adjustable for different-sized drivers - though it would be even better if it had reach adjustment too.
The new Hilux double cab has grown in every dimension; the rear seat is deeper and higher, making it more comfortable for tall passengers who no longer have to sit with their knees at ear level. The side step is lower and the rear doors open wider than before so access to the rear seat is easy.
There's plenty of cabin stowage space including a large lidded bin between the front seats and storage areas under the rear bench.
SUMMARY
The Hilux has always had a great reputation but usually it came at a price premium. This turbodiesel, double cab 4x4 variant of the new range is not only the most powerful and best equipped bakkie in its class but also the most affordable.
The legend lives on in a great value-for-money package. - Star Motoring
Toyota Hilux 3.0 D4-D double cab 4x4 Raised Body Raider specifications