Review - 2023 Toyota HiLux Rogue

Up until the arrival of the HiLux GR Sport, the Rogue remains the range-topping HiLux in Toyota’s stables, combining its work-ready platform with a heap of styling and equipment upgrades, underpinned by its rugged platform.

Just how good is Toyota’s current flagship HiLux Rogue, then, and how well does it justify its position as the most expensive HiLux on sale?

Let’s take a closer look to find out whether the Toyota HiLux Rogue is worth the upgrade, or if you’re better served by a more affordable HiLux variant.

Toyota HiLux Rogue Competition

Starting Price: $70,200

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How Much Does It Cost?

The Toyota HiLux Rogue is the company’s range-topping dual-cab ute offering, and is priced at $70,200.

For reference, the HiLux Rogue is priced above the HiLux SR5 automatic, which is priced at $61,930, and the SR automatic which is priced at $54,055.

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

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Toyota Hilux - ROGUE (4x4) Specifications

What Features Does the HiLux Rogue Have?

As the flagship HiLux variant, the Rogue comes packing everything that Toyota can possibly throw at its range-topper, atop a list of handy suspension, brake and platform tweaks that make it even more capable on and off-road.

The major highlights include a set of disc brakes for the rear, replacing the drum brakes you’ll find on other HiLux variants, a 140mm extension for the front and rear tracks, 20mm increase for the ride height, extended front suspension arms, a rear anti-roll bar, new front stabiliser bar and new rear dampers, as well as a set of 18-inch alloys sitting underneath the widened wheel arches.

The Rogue benefits from all the features and premium touches you’ll find in lower-spec members of the HiLux family, which means you’ll receive things like LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry & start, a surround-view camera with parking sensors, leather upholstery with heated seats, a power-rolling tray cover, an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, and an upgraded nine-speaker sound system.

Toyota HiLux Rogue Features:

• 18-inch alloys with widened wheel arches

• 140mm extension for front & rear track

• 20mm increased ride height

• New rear suspension dampers

• Extended front suspension arms

• Rear anti-roll bar

• Rear disc brakes replacing drums

• LED headlights

• Leather upholstery with heated seats

• Power-rolling tray cover

• Surround-view monitor

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

• Nine-speaker sound system

Toyota HiLux Rogue Colours

The HiLux Rogue is available in a choice of eight colours, five of which are reserved just for the range-topper.

These colours include Glacier White, Eclipse Black, Silver Sky, Oxide Bronze, Saturn Blue, Feverish Red, Frosted White and Nebula Blue.

Is it Comfortable to Drive?

The Toyota HiLux Rogue comes powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque, which gives it a mighty push off the line and makes for an effortless daily driver around town.

Power is thrown to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission which blends the gears together smoothly as you pick up speed, while the generous torque on offer makes acceleration reasonably quick and straightforward off the line.

While the HiLux platform rides on the firmer side, it remains very approachable around town for new drivers, with a steering rack that isn’t too difficult to maneuver at low speeds around town, or while parking.

Head out of the city and on the highway and the HiLux becomes particularly more comfortable, with the standard tyres more suited to long journeys on open roads than off-road trails, and its suspension offering a nice stable driving dynamic at speed.

As you take an exit and head off onto a B-road, you’ll notice the heft of the HiLux’s weight, though Toyota has done well with its upgraded track and suspension tweaks to ensure it remains a smooth and stable ride at speed.

All up, the HiLux is impressive on a mix of town and country driving, and Toyota’s improvements have made an already accomplished and versatile ute even more approachable for drivers new to the segment.

Is the Toyota HiLux Rogue Capable Off-Road?

Toyota’s headline improvements for the HiLux Rogue have been aimed at making it both more comfortable on road, and even more extreme when pushed off-road.

Over the standard HiLux, Toyota has equipped the Rogue with a 140mm extension for the front and rear track, while the ride height has been increased by 20mm and now stands at a very impressive 265mm.

With the help of the 150kW and 500Nm on offer from its 2.8-litre turbo-diesel, a 4x4 system with a low-speed transfer case and a locking rear differential, longer suspension arms and revised rear dampers, the HiLux Rogue’s platform is ready for action.

It’s worth noting, though, that the HiLux Rogue’s off-road potential right out of the box is limited by the standard tyres fitted that are more suited to the road, rather than tougher all-terrain rubber that some of its rivals come fitted with as standard.

Having said that, even in stock form, the HiLux Rogue offers impressive approach and departure angles of 31 and 23 degrees respectively, showing the true potential of the platform as an adventure-ready dual-cab ute.

How Much Cargo Can the HiLux Rogue Carry and Tow?

The HiLux Rogue is available in a dual-cab body shape only, which measures 5320mm long, 2020mm wide, 1870mm tall and has a wheelbase spanning 3085mm.

In terms of its cargo-carrying abilities, the HiLux Rogue’s tray measures in at 1550mm long by 1520mm wide - 1100mm between the wheel arches - which makes it more compact than some of its rivals, though this is large enough to accommodate a Euro-sized pallet without a problem.

One downside is the fact there are no tie-down anchors at the front of the tray, which means it’s tricky to secure bulky cargo, while the powered-tub cover can get in the way of the tray’s true potential.

Having said that, the HiLux Rogue still offers some impressive cargo-carrying abilities, with its gross vehicle mass (GVM) and gross combination mass (GCM) figures standing at 3050kg and 5850kg, respectively.

Its payload figures have dropped, though, which now totals 854kg, down from the previous 877kg, while the HiLux Rogue’s braked towing capacity figures stand at a rival-matching 3500kg.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Inside, the HiLux’s cabin is familiar to the layout we’ve seen for years now, and while it might be ready for an aesthetic upgrade, it still offers an impressive amount of space.

Up front, the HiLux Rogue’s cabin is straightforward and utilitarian, even in spite of its range-topping price tag, with a heap of space inside the cabin and impressive amounts of head room to help accommodate taller drivers.

The centre console features two storage trays, a pair of cup holders, additional storage inside the folding arm rest and two tiers of storage in the passenger’s glove box, a glasses stash, large door bins and cup holders that pop out from the air vents.

The second row of the HiLux’s cabin offers just enough room for adults to get comfortable, though the rear is lacking the generous proportions of some of its major rivals, which is something to keep in mind if you have a growing family, likewise the lack of USB ports in the rear.

Having said that, there’s a set of air vents and a comfortable set of seats that can squeeze in three rear passengers for shorter trips around town, giving the HiLux some true versatility, but lacking the best-in-class proportions for the dual-cab segment.

Is it Safe?

The Toyota HiLux Rogue has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 96% for adult protection, 87% for child protection, 88% for vulnerable road user protection and 78% for safety assist.

As standard, the HiLux Rogue picks up autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings and steering assist, as well as hill-descent control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts and a surround-view camera.

This means the HiLux Rogue is well-equipped when it comes to active safety equipment and its five-star ANCAP safety rating makes it a safe addition to your garage.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The Toyota HiLux Rogue’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel returns fuel economy figures of 8.4L/100km on a combined cycle, which drops to 7.8L/100km on the highways and increases to 9.3L/100km around town.

This puts the HiLux on par with the majority of its turbo-diesel rivals when it comes to fuel economy, and is actually the exact same figures you’ll get from its direct competitors like the Ford Ranger.

Our Verdict: Is the Toyota HiLux Rogue Worth it?

If you’re looking for the ultimate HiLux experience, the Rogue is all the car you’ll ever need- and more.

Toyota’s considerable updates to the platform and suspension have helped make it more civilised around town and even more capable off-road, while the generous equipment lists make it feel like a true range-topper.

While the HiLux inside is no doubt due for an upgrade in the near future, it remains an exceptional performer in a mix of driving situations, and is very deserving of a spot on your shortlist of flagship 4x4 dual-cab utes. On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty

2. 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel produces 150kW of power & 500Nm of torque

3. Five-star ANCAP safety rating

4. 854kg payload capacity

5. 3500kg braked towing capacity