Toyota Hilux 2.4 GD-6 Raider X (2023) Long term Update 2
After a few weeks of changing hands at the AutoTrader offices, the long-term Hilux Raider X gets its first update from family man Lawrence. He asks if you really need a top-spec 2.8 Legend RS for the day-to-day and weekend vibes.
Family getaway
The double cab has become something of a South African institution with these vehicles employed as workhorses, family transport, and even luxury toys but what if one wants to do all of the above and keep the price well under the million rand mark? The answer is simple really: you get yourself a Hilux Raider X. The Raider X has been a part of the AutoTrader SA long-term fleet for a couple of weeks now, and I finally managed to pry it off the other team members for my own story.
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Having a few chores at home that needed the use of a bakkie and an upcoming birthday weekend away in the bush, I hastily scampered off with the Raider X. The rubberised load bed would be put to the test with not only garage detritus but garden refuse and would then be washed out to receive the requisite camping equipment for a short holiday.
Packed away
On our long weekend getaway, we would be carting around the various groceries of 12 people, and even though the Raider has a towing capacity of 3 500kg braked towing, we would not be using a trailer. Creative packing in the 1.5m x 1.5m load bed with its 480mm tonneau covered depth, meant that we were able to get everything squared away with relative ease and didn't even come close to the payload of 830kg. The load did change the driving dynamics slightly as the weight settled the rear end down and actually made the 275km drive even more comfortable.
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Power to please
The Toyota's 2.4-litre GD6 diesel motor that powers the Raider X delivers 110kW and 400Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The wait for the turbo spool under 2500rpm means that you do need to give it some rpm before releasing the clutch, or you end up stalling, but it only takes a few minutes before you get the hang of it. Toyota claims that the Raider will return fuel consumption figures of 7.6 L/100km for the manual, and on our 550km roundtrip on the open road, we averaged 7.9l. In and around the city and dirt roads of the game farm, that number climbed slightly to 8.9l but on the whole we were right pleased with the figures and the power capabilities of the 2.4.
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Verdict
One of the first things you notice when you have a vehicle of this nature is how much you actually have for it to do. Random tasks suddenly cropped up that required a bakkies attendance, and it also very neatly slotted into our family life on the school run and shopping mall trips. The Raider X is a complete package that gives you just enough workhorse and family van trimmed with just enough luxury spec to make it very liveable. This is one of those vehicles that I find myself not wanting to give back, but the rest of the team is waiting for their turn.
Coming in at a very neat and tidy R 674 800, the Raider X derivative is cracking value for money in a comfortable spec that you also don't mind getting dirty on the weekends.
