Toyota Hilux pickup gets fresh skin, more power for 2012

13 years, 5 months ago - 14 July 2011

When we think of Toyota icons, we tend to think of vehicles like the Prius, Land Cruiser, or perhaps the Corolla, the world's best-selling nameplate. But entire towns have been built and many wars have been fought on the back of Toyota's Hilux pickup.

Celebrated the world over for its legendary ruggedness and anvil-like reliability, it's been the workhorse of choice everywhere from Africa to Antarctica for decades. In other words, the debut of a new Toyota Hilux qualifies as a genuinely important development in global transportation.

And while this isn't an all-new model, there are a raft of changes worth noting for the new year. Starting with the obvious, the 2012 Hilux receives a completely new front clip, including new fenders headlights, bumper, hood, and three-bar grille. Additional changes include updated rear fenders, as well as new mirrors and alloy wheel designs.

Inside, the changes are mostly minor, though there's a new upper dashboard piece and an available 6.1-inch touchscreen multimedia system. Beyond that, Toyota cites "greater colour consistency throughout" and some silver trim bits as key changes.

Underhood, the diesel-powered two-wheel-drive Hilux 2.5 D-4D gets a new variable nozzle turbo to boost power to 144 horses (+24) and 253 pound-feet of torque, all while lowering fuel consumption.

Overall, the Hilux is available in three bodystyles with two engines and transmissions, along with two- or four-wheel drive.