Farms and Farm Machinery – September 2019

THE TRACTOR YOU WANT IS NOW EASIER TO FIND TradeFarmMachinery.com.au 57

model year. It was co-developed with the 2.8-litre diesel used

more commonly across the current HiLux range.

Both engines most notably bring a degree of refinement not

found in previous HiLux diesels rather than significantly more

power. Along with the new-found refinement they also bring

cleaner exhaust emissions, as is mandatory these days.

The 2.4 is actually a little sweeter and smoother running than

big brother 2.8 even if there’s less power. According to Toyota

the 2.4 produces 110kW (as against the 2.8’s 125kW or 130kW),

so less, but not a huge step down.

Matched with its five-speed manual (a six-speed manual is

common to most HiLux models), the 2.4 is nippy enough up

through the gears and gets along well at highway speeds thanks

in part to final drive gearing that’s not too tall. See a hill up

ahead? No worries! The 2.4 will generally conquer it without the

need to back shift. All the while it’s notably quiet and smooth,

especially for a diesel.

This current generation HiLux also brings much better road

manners than any previous HiLux with a confident feel to the

steering and more than acceptable handling even unladen and

on poorer roads. Sure the ride’s not all good when unladen but

that’s just the price you pay for a decent payload!

LOAD CARRYING AND TOWING

This single-cab 2WD HiLux actually has a full 1,000kg payload,

which is much better than the dual-cab 4WD HiLux models

but its towing capacity, at 2,800kg, is short on the 3,500kg of

4WD HiLux manuals and the 3,200kg of 4WD HiLux automatics.

With the smaller engine, you may not want to tow more than

2,800kg anyway.

There was no towbar fitted to our test car anyway, so no towing

testing but we did put 550kg of firewood in the tray, which it

carried without flinching either from a steering and handling

point of view, or in terms of engine power. With the 550kg in

TEST REVIEW

2014 HoldenColorado. 132,543kms,auto,2.8L
diesel,towbar.•QLD 07 3171 1050

$25,600 TA966912

2001 ToyotaLandcruiser HZJ79R-TJMRSQ3.

4.2L4cyldiesel1HZ engine. • QLD 0730738122

$9,990 TA951368

2007 FordRanger 4x4. Auto, bull/towbar,sport

canopy,L/Rdiesel tank. • VIC 03 83737117

$10,990 TA919005

2004 ToyotaLandcruiser HZJ79R-TJMRSQ3.

4.2L6cyldiesel1HZ engine. • QLD 0730738122

$19,500 TA966646

1. More passenger ute than work ute inside


2. At 2.5m long, the aluminium-alloy tray is a genuine
   Toyota accessory


3. The 2.4 litre is smoother running than the 2.8 litre


4. It carried 550kg of firewood in the tray without
   flinching

1

3 4

2

HiLux 4x2 prices*

2.7P Workmate

Single-cab/chassis

$21,865

2.7P Workmate

Dual-cab pick-up

$31,565

2.4D Workmate

Single-cab/chassis**

$27,390

2.4D Workmate

Dual-cab pick-up**

$38,365

2.8D SR Extra-cab

pick-up (auto)**

$41,865

2.8D SR Dual-cab pick-up $40,865

2.8D SR5 Dual-cab

pick-up (auto)

$50,740

*Manufacturers list price for manuals except where

noted. Prices do not include on-road costs.

**Hi-Rider models with extra ground clearance