New vs used Toyota Hilux: what are the top 4 differences?

Martin Pretorius

It’s hard work to stay at the top of the local sales charts, but the Toyota Hilux manages this feat with aplomb. Part of the reason for its success are the regular updates Toyota gives their top-selling product, to keep it up to date, and keep challengers at bay. We take a look at some of the differences between a new Hilux and an older one.

LED Headlights

This is perhaps the most significant recent addition to the Hilux range, even if it is only available on high-spec (2.8GD-6 and 4.0 V6) variants. Strangely, only the low beam takes advantage of the LED headlamp installation, with high beam still relying on normal halogen bulbs.

Lower-trim Hiluxes also have to make do with the old-style halogen headlamps, and we would really love it if Toyota SA could expand the availability of this important safety feature to more derivatives – and convert the high beam units to the new technology as well.

New front bumper

First introduced with the limited-edition Hilux Dakar, this re-styled front bumper and grille assembly definitely improves the appearance of the Hilux. Now available on all Hiluxes from SRX-spec upwards, the restyled nose section has eliminated the earlier model’s awkward overbite, and added a welcome dose of aggression to the Hilux’s appearance.

Lower-trim Hiluxes still make do with the old-style grille, however – but it’s entirely feasible that the new face might also expand to the cheaper variants in due course.

Alloy wheels and a light restyle

Early variants of the current Hilux were quite Spartan, unless you sprang for a 2.8GD-6 or a 4.0 V6. But, towards the end of 2016, Toyota upped the feature count of the SRX variants slightly. 

One of the most significant updates was the addition of a set of 17-inch alloy wheels (one inch larger than the old steel wheels) to go with the new “wide-body” appearance introduced to the SRX at the same time. The new bumper/grille assembly, available since mid-2018, certainly helped the SRX to metamorphose from a wallflower to a handsome beast in its own right.

Touchscreen audio and reverse camera

Still talking about the SRX: it not only received a new face in 2018, but it also scored an upgrade for its infotainment system. The touchscreen interface and reverse camera, as used up till then on the top-trim Raiders, found its way to the mid-level SRX as well. Meanwhile, the Raider gained standard satellite navigation as part of the same facelift.

The changes wrought for the Hilux over the last few years might not be earth-shaking or dramatic, but they did go some way towards helping this stalwart retain its market-leading position. Better-looking and better-equipped than ever before, the latest Hiluxes deserve their popularity.