Hilux rejuvenated

48V: ELECTRICAL ASSISTANCE TRANSFORMS BAKKIE

- Mark Jones

Toyota's Hilux might be as old as the hills now, but it still leads South Africa's sales race, not only as the country's number selling bakkie, but also as the outright bestselling vehicle period.

This speaks volumes about the loyalty that people have for the Toyota badge and Hilux in particular, and most of this is because of the unbeatable reputation the bakkie has for reliability and resale.

Let's not mince our words here, compared to the newer, more modern, Ford Ranger and VW Amarok, the ride quality and technology of the Hilux are not top of the charts in this type of company.

This said, there is an all-new Hilux that should break cover in 2025, and I have no doubt these things will be suitably addressed.

But the current Hilux feels bakkie-like on the road, and you are still having to plug in cables to charge your smartphone, and access Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in an era of big digital screens, wireless charging and connectivity.

Staying on the topic of ride and drive quality, the switch to a small lithium-ion battery under the seat of the Hilux Raider 48V that offers exactly what the badge says, and that is 48V of electrical assistance that has added a 12kW and 65Nm spurt of power and torque to the existing 150kW and 500Nm on offer from the tried and tested 2.8 GD-6 powerplant.