The Toyota Hilux doesn’t need an introduction. It’s the truck that’s crossed deserts, climbed mountains, and outlasted everything else on four wheels. The ninth-generation model is now in India, and it brings a new 4x2 option, a larger touchscreen, and the same indestructible 2.8L diesel that made the previous car a legend.
Prices start at ₹31.99 lakh ex-showroom - three variants: GX 4X2 AT at ₹31.99 lakh, GX 4X4 AT at ₹33.69 lakh, and the top VX 4X4 AT at ₹36.69 lakh. Only one engine, only automatic. Simple lineup, straightforward choice.
Design & Build Quality
The front and rear have been substantially reworked - LED headlamps with integrated DRLs, LED fog lamps, a sharper bumper, and a sharkfin antenna. From the side, the cabin profile is familiar, but the overall stance remains imposing. Six colours: Sulphur Metallic, Emotional Red, White Pearl Crystal Shine, Ash, Super White, and Attitude Black.
At 5,320 mm long and riding on 17-inch alloys with 265/65 section tyres, the Hilux has presence that smaller SUVs simply can’t replicate. Body-on-frame construction, tight panel gaps, heavy doors, and a tailgate with real heft - everything about this truck communicates durability. Toyota body-on-frame diesels regularly cross 3-4 lakh kilometres in service. That’s not a claim, that’s a track record.
Interior Cabin & Features
The new all-black interior is clean and modern. Angular dashboard, floating touchscreen, large greenhouse - the cabin feels airy despite the truck’s utilitarian nature. The top VX variant gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen with 8 speakers, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and connected car features. GX variants get an 8-inch unit with 4 speakers.
Standard across variants: wireless smartphone charging, four USB-C ports, a 220V AC socket, cruise control, green laminated glass, power windows with auto up/down on all four doors, auto LED headlamps, and 60:40 split rear seats that tip up for extra cargo room.
The front seats are wide and supportive, with enough slide for 6-footers to sit comfortably. Storage is generous - two gloveboxes, deep centre armrest bin, door pockets, a sunglass holder, and dedicated smartphone slots.
2.8L Diesel Engine Performance
201 BHP and 500 Nm from a 2.8L turbocharged diesel, paired with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic. This combination has been refined over years of global deployment and it shows - smooth, reliable, and effortless. Peak torque arrives at 1,600 rpm, so there’s almost no lag from a standstill. In city traffic, it crawls through bottlenecks in creep mode without needing throttle input.
Three driving modes - Normal, Eco, and Power - adjust engine and throttle behaviour meaningfully. Eco mode is ideal for the city: throttle response is calmer, yet the big engine has enough torque to keep up with traffic without feeling sluggish. Power mode sharpens the throttle noticeably - best saved for highway overtakes and open-road driving. Normal mode is the balanced everyday setting.
On the highway, the Hilux is a relaxed, fast cruiser. The engine pulls cleanly, the gearbox shifts smoothly, and at 100 km/h cruising speed the cabin is hushed. Overtaking is confidence-inspiring - there’s always reserve power on tap. Fuel efficiency sits between 7-10 km/l in the city and improves meaningfully on the highway with the 6th gear doing its job. The 80-litre tank means long-distance runs between fuel stops.
Ride Quality & High-Speed Stability
Front suspension is independent double wishbone with coil springs - comfortable, quiet, and well-controlled. The rear uses a rigid axle with leaf springs, which is the correct engineering choice for a load-carrying pickup. With the loading bay empty, the rear end is stiffer than a passenger SUV - that’s the trade-off of a truck platform, and it’s expected. Add weight to the loading bay and the rear settles down considerably. Straight-line stability at highway speeds is solid, and the fat 265 mm tyres provide good grip.
The hydraulic power steering is heavier than modern EPS systems - it weights up properly at speed and gives you a clear sense of the road. In a truck this size, that’s actually a feature: you always know exactly where the front wheels are pointed.
4x4 Off-Road Capabilities
This is where the Hilux truly separates itself. The 4x4 system offers three modes: 2H for normal road driving, 4H for low-traction surfaces like sand, gravel, and mud, and 4L for extreme off-road at low speeds with multiplied torque. Switching between 2H and 4H is possible on the go. 4L requires a stationary vehicle.
On top of that: Multi-Terrain Select for terrain-specific tuning, electronic limited-slip differential, electronic differential lock, and downhill assist control. Water wading depth is 700 mm - a figure that most dedicated off-roaders don’t match.
We drove the Hilux through axle twisters, side inclines, rock beds, seesaws, and water crossings. It handled every obstacle without drama, often without needing 4L at all. This is a truck that’s genuinely capable off-road, not just cosmetically rugged.
Practicality & Loading Bay Capacity
A proper pickup payload capacity in the region of 475 kg. The tailgate has a damped, controlled opening action. When you need more space, tip up the rear seat base against the backrest and the loading area extends into the cabin. Useful and practical.
Safety & Crash Test Rating
7 airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all 5 occupants, ABS, EBD, vehicle stability control, brake assist, downhill assist control, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera, TPMS, and ISOFIX. The Hilux holds a 5-star ANCAP crash test rating. Toyota backs it with a standard 3-year / 1,00,000 km warranty, extendable to 5 years / 2,20,000 km, plus 3 years of complimentary roadside assistance.
Toyota Hilux Price in India (Ex-Showroom)
| Variant | Price (Ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| GX 4X2 AT | ₹31.99 lakh |
| GX 4X4 AT | ₹33.69 lakh |
| VX 4X4 AT | ₹36.69 lakh |
The GX 4X4 AT at ₹33.69 lakh is the pick for most buyers - proper 4x4 capability, the core feature set, and a price that’s ₹3 lakh below the top variant. If you want the full package including the 12.3-inch screen and all the premium touches, the VX 4X4 makes the case for itself.
The Hilux is not a daily city commuter and doesn’t pretend to be. It’s a truck - built to carry, tow, explore, and last. If that’s what you’re looking for, nothing else in India at this price comes close.
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