The 2025 Toyota Hilux: Rugged, Refined, and Ready for Anything

The 2025 Toyota Hilux: Rugged, Refined, and Ready for Anything

Toyota’s Hilux has built a reputation as one of the toughest, most reliable pickups on the planet—capable of conquering deserts, construction sites, and everything in between. The latest 2025 model refines the formula with updated tech, improved comfort, and even more capability. But does it still hold its own against modern rivals like the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, and Mitsubishi Triton? Let’s break down the quirks, features, pros, cons, pricing, and running costs of Toyota’s unstoppable workhorse.

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Design & Styling: Tough Meets Modern

The 2025 Hilux gets a subtle but purposeful facelift, with a bolder grille, sleeker LED headlights, and more aggressive wheel arches. Toyota has also introduced new alloy wheel designs (up to 18 inches) and additional colour options, including a rugged "Terra Bronze" exclusive to higher trims.

While the Hilux still looks unmistakably utilitarian, the cabin has taken a step up in refinement. Soft-touch materials, improved sound insulation, and a redesigned dashboard make it feel closer to a lifestyle pickup than a bare-bones work truck—especially in top-spec variants like the Hilux GR Sport and Hilux Rogue.

Key Exterior & Interior Features:

• Revised front fascia with a larger Toyota emblem and C-shaped LED DRLs.

• Available power-retractable side steps (on higher trims) for easier access.

• Upgraded infotainment with a 10.5-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and an optional 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

• Ventilated front seats and heated rear seats (previously unheard of in a Hilux).

Performance & Capability: Built for Brutal Conditions

The Hilux has always been about toughness, and the 2025 model doesn’t disappoint. Depending on the market, engine options include:

• 2.8L Turbo-Diesel (1GD-FTV) – 204 HP / 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) – The most popular choice, offering strong low-end torque and legendary durability.

• 2.4L Turbo-Diesel (2GD-FTV) – 148 HP / 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) – A more economical option for fleet buyers.

• 2.7L Petrol (2TR-FE) – 164 HP / 245 Nm (181 lb-ft) – Mostly sold in regions where diesel isn’t preferred.

All engines are paired with either a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission, and Toyota has tweaked the suspension for better on-road comfort without sacrificing off-road prowess.

Off-Road & Towing Upgrades

• Improved approach (31°) and departure (26°) angles for better rock-crawling ability.

• Upgraded 4WD system with a rear differential lock (standard on Adventure and GR Sport trims).

• Towing capacity remains best-in-class at 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs).

• Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) now includes a new "Deep Snow" mode for extreme conditions.

Technology & Safety: Catching Up to the Competition

Previous Hilux models lagged behind in tech, but the 2025 update brings it closer to rivals like the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok. Key features include:

• Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (Pre-Collision System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Monitoring).

• 360-degree camera system with off-road trajectory view.

• Digital rearview mirror (optional) for better visibility when the bed is loaded.

• Wireless phone charging & USB-C ports throughout the cabin.

However, Toyota still avoids flashy tech like fully digital dashboards (outside the GR Sport) or hybrid powertrains—for now.

Pros & Cons: Should You Buy One?

Pros:

✅ Legendary reliability – The Hilux is famously indestructible, backed by Toyota’s bulletproof reputation.
✅ Best-in-class towing & payload (up to 1,200 kg / 2,645 lbs).
✅ Strong resale value – Hilux models retain their worth better than most rivals.
✅ Improved comfort & tech make it viable as a daily driver, not just a workhorse.

Cons:

❌ No hybrid or EV option yet – Ford and Mitsubishi are pushing electrification, but Toyota is lagging.
❌ Diesel engines can be noisy under hard acceleration.
❌ Higher trims are expensive – The GR Sport can cost nearly as much as a base LandCruiser.
❌ Rivals offer more advanced tech – The Ford Ranger’s SYNC 4 system is more intuitive.

Fuel Economy & Running Costs

The 2.8L diesel remains the most efficient option, with real-world figures around:

• 8.5L/100km (27.7 MPG) highway

• 10.5L/100km (22.4 MPG) city

• Combined ~9.5L/100km (24.8 MPG)

Assuming diesel prices of$\mathrm{approximately\ast \ast }\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<br>}<br><br>$1.80 per litre**, annual fuel costs for 20,000 km (12,427 miles) would be approximately. Maintenance is relatively affordable, with Toyota’s capped-price servicing averaging $350 per visit.

Toyota Hilux 2025 Price List (South Africa)

Model Variant	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Starting Price (ZAR)
Hilux 2.4 GD-6 Workmate	2.4L Turbo Diesel (148 HP)	6MT / 6AT	4x2 / 4x4	R456,900 – R516,500
Hilux 2.8 GD-6 SR	2.8L Turbo Diesel (204 HP)	6MT / 6AT	4x2 / 4x4	R582,600 – R682,400
Hilux 2.8 GD-6 SRX	2.8L Turbo Diesel (204 HP)	6AT	4x4	R726,800
Hilux 2.8 GD-6 Legend RS	2.8L Turbo Diesel (204 HP)	6AT	4x4	R782,500
Hilux 2.8 GD-6 GR Sport	2.8L Turbo Diesel (221 HP)	6AT	4x4	R899,900

Final Verdict: Still the King of Reliability?

The 2025 Toyota Hilux isn’t the most cutting-edge pickup on the market, but it doesn’t need to be. It delivers exactly what buyers expect: unmatched durability, strong towing, and now, a more comfortable cabin. If you prioritise tech and refinement, the Ford Ranger or VW Amarok might be better choices. But if you need a truck that won’t quit no matter how hard you punish it, the Hilux remains the undisputed champion.

For tradies, adventurers, and anyone who values reliability above all else, the Hilux is still the safest bet in the pickup world—even if it comes at a premium.

 Hilux is still the safest bet in the pickup world—even if it comes at a premium.