2025 Toyota HiLux Review

Six decades after first touching down on Australian shores, the HiLux remains one of Australia’s favourite ute packages, appealing to workers, adventurous buyers and families alike.

While there is a next-generation HiLux on the horizon, Toyota has added a range of mild-hybrid engine options across the Hilux lineup aimed at improving efficiency without sacrificing its go-anywhere, pull-anything power.

Just how well does the 2025 Toyota HiLux range stack up against its fierce rivals, then, and does it remain at the top of the class? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

Toyota HiLux Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

Prices for the MY25 Toyota HiLux range kick off from $27,730 for the entry-level HiLux Workmate Manual 4x2 Single Cab Chassis and stretch out to $74,310 for the flagship HiLux GR Sport 4x4 Dual Cab.

Within the HiLux range, there are 27 choices split across two-door single-cab chassis variants and four-door dual-cab variants.

Prices for the most popular variants in the range can be found below, but remember to reach out to one of our car-buying experts for the best possible price on your preferred variant.

• HiLux Workmate 4x2 Cab Chassis Manual - $27,730

• HiLux Workmate 4x2 Cab Chassis Automatic - $29,730

• HiLux Workmate 4x2 Automatic Double Cab - $37,730

• HiLux Workmate Hi-Rider 2.8TD 4x4 Double Cab - $44,820

• HiLux SR 2.8TD 4x4 Automatic Cab Chassis - $46,035

• HiLux SR 2.8TD 4x4 Manual Cab Chassis  - $48,695

• HiLux SR 2.8TD 4x4 Automatic Cab Chassis - $50,695

• HiLux SR 2.8TD V-Active 4x4 Automatic Double Cab Chassis - $54,130

• HiLux SR 2.8TD 4x4 Automatic Double Cab - $55,190

• HiLux SR 2.8TD V-Active 4x4 Automatic Double Cab - $56,210

• HiLux SR5 2.8TD 4x4 Automatic Dual Cab - $60,250

• HiLux SR5 2.8TD V-Active 4x4 Automatic Dual Cab - $60,580

• HiLux SR5 2.8TD V-Active 4x4 Automatic Dual Cab - $63,260

• HiLux Rogue 2.8TD V-Active 4x4 Automatic Dual Cab - $71,530

• HiLux GR Sport 2.8TD 4x4 Automatic Dual Cab - $74,310

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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What Features & Specs Does the Toyota HiLux Have?

Toyota splits the HiLux range into five trim levels, including the entry-level Workmate, rising through the SR, SR5, Rogue and topping out with the HiLux GR Sport.

The company’s entry-level HiLux Workmate range comes riding on 16-inch steel wheels - increasing to 17-inches for dual-cab and 4x4 versions - as well as automatic halogen headlights with daytime running lamps, cloth upholstery, air conditioning, adaptive cruise control, vinyl floors, power windows and a rear-view camera with dual-cab variants and front & rear parking sensors for automatic HiLux variants.

The Toyota HiLux SR range picks up 17-inch alloys alongside a set of side steps, body-coloured door handles, an air-conditioned cooler box, a hill descent control system and Toyota’s multi-terrain select off-roading system with six different drive modes.

The HiLux SR V-Active mild-hybrid also picks up keyless entry & start, dual-zone climate control and carpeted floor mats.

Stepping up to the HiLux SR5 range adds a set of 18-inch alloys alongside LED headlights, a power-coated sports bar, black mirrors and door handles, a wireless charging pad, carpeted floors, rear air vents, privacy glass and a premium steering wheel and gear lever and some added safety gear.

Buyers upgrading to the HiLux Rogue pick up a powered tonneau cover, a track-width extension paired with more prominent wheel arch covers and upgraded rear disc brakes.

Finally, the range-topping HiLux GR Sport range picks up 17-inch alloys wrapped in Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain rubber, a mix of leather and suede upholstery with aluminium pedals, a lifted suspension package with KYB monotube dampers, a wider bash plate, wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a set of red seatbelts.

Toyota HiLux Connectivity & Infotainment Features

One area the HiLux is beginning to show signs of its age is the infotainment tech on offer.

Toyota packages the HiLux range with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard which is paired with a two-speaker sound system in Workmate variants, growing to a four- or six-speaker unit in SR extra and double cab variants, respectively.

Upgrading to the HiLux SR5 range adds satellite navigation and DAB+ digital radio into the mix alongside two USB-C charging ports in the rear of the cabin.

The HiLux Rogue and GR Sport both pick up a nine-speaker sound system courtesy of JBL.

Compared with some of the latest and greatest utes on the road, the HiLux isn’t a technological force in the segment, though it has the basics covered.

The HiLux range also comes packaged with a three-year subscription to Toyota’s Connected Services suite which offers vehicle and fuel information, location tracking and stolen vehicle tracking, automatic collision notifications and SOS emergency calls.

Does the Toyota HiLux Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

While the MY25 HiLux range supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections, you’ll need to bring a USB cable, because there is no wireless smartphone mirroring on offer.

That’s because Toyota’s 8.0-inch infotainment system installed across the HiLux range does not support wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, instead requiring a wired connection.

What Engine Powers the Toyota HiLux Range?

Toyota offers the MY25 Hilux range with a choice of four engines - one petrol and three turbo-diesel units, including a mild-hybrid unit aimed at improving fuel efficiency figures.

The HiLux Workmate with the 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is your cheapest option, kicking out 122kW of power and 245Nm of torque to the rear wheels via your choice of a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

The HiLux Workmate diesel range comes powered by a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel unit producing 110kW of power and 400Nm of torque, available in rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive formats with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

The majority of the HiLux range comes powered by Toyota’s tried-and-tested 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit that kicks out 150kW of power and between 420Nm - 500Nm of torque in manual and automatic variants, respectively.

The same 2.8-litre turbo-diesel unit powering the HiLux GR Sport kicks out 160kW of power and 550Nm of torque.

Toyota’s ‘V-Active’ mild-hybrid tech powering the SR, SR5 and Rogue pairs a motor generator with a 48-volt battery and stop/start tech retains the benchmark 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque figures and is offered solely in a four-wheel drive layout with a six-speed automatic transmission.

• HiLux Workmate Petrol - 122kW / 245Nm

• HiLux Workmate Diesel - 110kW / 400Nm

• HiLux 2.8TD - 150kW / 420 - 500Nm (manual vs automatic)

• HiLux GR Sport - 160kW / 550Nm

• HiLux V-Active Mild Hybrid - 150kW / 500Nm

How Much Can the Toyota HiLux Carry & Tow?

Designed primarily as a workhorse, the HiLux range does not shy away from a challenge when tasked with towing and carrying heavy loads.

That said, it’s worth noting that some variants are much better suited to the task than others.

Braked towing capacity figures, for example, drop down to 2,500kg in the HiLux Workmate Petrol range, increasing to 2,800kg in 4x2 Workmate diesel versions and increasing to benchmark 3,500kg figures across all 4x4 versions.

Payload figures drop down to 780kg in the case of the flagship HiLux Sport and top-out at 1,250kg in the HiLux Workmate 2.4 turbo-diesel cab chassis.

Gross vehicle mass (GVM) figures range between 2,700 and 3,100kg, depending on the variant.

Finally, gross combination mass (GCM) figures for the MY25 HiLux range sit between 5,200kg in 4x2 Workmate single and double cab variants, increasing to 5,650kg in 4x2 Workmate and SR single and double cab variants.

Gross combination mass figures top-out at 5,850kg for the majority of the HiLux range with a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel unit, including Workmate and SR single-cab variants, extra-cab and dual-cab versions of the Workmate, SR, SR5, as well as dual-cab Rogue and GR Sport versions.

• HiLux Braked Towing Capacity - 2,500 - 3,500kg (Workmate Petrol vs 2.8TD)

• HiLux Payload Figures - 780 - 1,250kg

• HiLux GVM - 2,700 - 3,100kg

• HiLux GCM - 5,200 - 5,850kg

Is the Toyota HiLux Fuel Efficient?

Fuel economy figures on offer in the latest HiLux range change dramatically depending on the engine you’re opting for.

The entry-level Workmate Petrol is the least efficient of the bunch, sipping a particularly thirsty 10.4 - 11.1L per 100km, depending on the body shape, drivetrain and transmission.

Stepping up to the Workmate Diesel range drops these fuel economy figures down to 6.9 - 8.0L/100km. 

The most popular engine option powering the HiLux range, the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel unit returns fuel economy figures between 7.1 - 8.1L per 100km, depending on the variant.

Toyota’s new mild-hybrid tech powering the HiLux V-Active range does indeed have a positive impact on fuel efficiency, with the range rated at between 7.2 - 7.8L per 100km on a combined cycle.

Considering these fuel economy figures come with no compromise to the powertrain’s power and torque figures, the addition of mild-hybrid versions of the HiLux will come as good news for fuel-conscious buyers that don’t want to make sacrifices on pulling power.

How Big is the Toyota HiLux’s Tray?

With three different body shapes on offer, real estate in the HiLux’s tray depends if you’re opting for a single, extra or dual-cab bodyshape.

The HiLux single cab range offers the biggest tray, measuring 2,550mm long by 1,842mm wide, which shrinks to 1,840mm long in the case of the HiLux extra cab range.

The HiLux dual-cab ute range has a tray measuring 1,570mm long by 1,645 wide - with 1,105mm between the wheel arches - and 495mm tall.

Is it Safe?

Toyota bundles the HiLux range with a decent list of active safety gear, though more than a few must-haves for buyers are reserved for more premium trim levels.

For example, the entry-level HiLux Workmate manual versions pick up autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection alongside adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alerts with lane-keep assist and traffic recognition, while the Workmate automatic picks up front & rear parking sensors. 

Stepping up to the HiLux SR5 adds a surround-view monitor alongside blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts.

Does the Toyota HiLux Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Toyota HiLux range wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating after testing in 2019 saw it score the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 96%

• Child Occupant Protection: 87%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 88%

• Safety Assist: 78%

It’s worth noting that the HiLux’s current five-star ANCAP safety rating is set to expire in December, 2025.

What Warranty Does the Toyota HiLux Come With?

Toyota offers the HiLux range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty that can extend out two seven years for the driveline when the vehicle is serviced in network.

This comes in addition to capped-price servicing across the HiLux range which covers six visits to the service centre across a total of three years.

Capped price servicing costs for the HiLux range total between $1,470 - $1,740, depending on the variant.

Service intervals for the MY25 HiLux range stand at a relatively short six months or 10,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Toyota HiLux Worth it?

The HiLux has rightfully earned itself a top spot as Australia’s favourite utes thanks to its rugged design, solid towing and payload figures and wide-range of options across multiple price points.

Toyota’s addition of a more fuel-efficient mild-hybrid version only bolsters the HiLux’s appeal, widening its appeal with more fuel-conscious buyers without any compromises to its performance on or off-road.

With no shortage of choice across the 27-strong variant range, there’s a HiLux for virtually every buyer out there - the only question is which is the best choice for you.

If you need some help with that question, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible deal on a HiLux perfect for you and your needs.

Five Toyota HiLux Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Warranty extends to seven-years for the driveline when serviced in-network

3. Single, extra and dual-cab variants available with four choices of engines

4. 2,500 - 3,500kg braked towing capacity

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating expires December, 2025