Toyota Hilux. The Immortal
The Toyota Hilux is a mid-size pickup truck from the Japanese automaker Toyota that has been produced since 1968. This legendary car has 8 generations, the last of which came out in 2015, and it is available in the Israel market now.
The Hilux pickup, due to its simplicity, functionality, maintainability, cross-country ability, and carrying capacity, has earned immense popularity around the world and has become a real off-road conqueror. An international group of auto experts announced the Toyota Hilux as the best-used pickup truck of the year in 2017, no wonder it is called ‘The Immortal’!
First generation
The first generation of Toyota Hilux was produced from 1968 to 1972 and had two versions: Pickup double cab and Pickup single cab, differing in wheelbase size. The 1st generation Hilux truck had a back-wheel drive and a gasoline engine. According to unconfirmed reports, the name ‘Hilux’ is formed from the phrase ‘Highly-Luxurious’ which means ‘extremely luxurious’. The new name was intended to distinguish the first Hilux from its purely ascetic predecessor, the Toyota Toyopet Stout pickup.
Second generation
The second generation of Toyota Hilux was produced from 1972 to 1978. The second Hilux had a more comfortable cabin, an updated interior, and exterior, and the length of the cargo compartment could reach 2.3 meters.
Third generation
The third-generation Toyota Hilux was produced from 1978 to 1983 and for the first time in its history received an all-wheel drive transmission and an automatic transmission. The third Hilux had already gained popularity among farmers and small businesses who used it as a small truck. And in the early 1980s, the pickup was also widely used as a car for tourism and sports. It was painted in bright colors, supplemented with chrome-plated details, a safety arc on the body, and lighting equipment on the roof was installed. The Hilux 3 generations transported sports equipment and camping equipment, as well as used for amateur cross-country racing.
Fourth generation
The fourth-generation Toyota Hilux was produced from 1983 to 1988 and was equipped with both back-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, and some modifications received a front independent suspension for the first time in the history of ‘Hilux’. In addition to the already existing power units inherited from the third generation, a gasoline V6 appeared in 1987, well known later from the Hilux Surf/4Runner.
Fifth generation
The fifth-generation Toyota Hilux was produced from 1988 to 1997 and had a body with a longer 3099 mm wheelbase instead of 2616 mm as a conventional wheelbase. Its one-piece cargo compartment walls eliminated rust seams found in earlier models.
Toyota Hilux has gained real popularity around the world for its reliability and simplicity of design. The military and farmers, rebels and merchants, doctors and athletes loved it. The hosts from the Top Gear TV program drove to the North Pole in this car.
Sixth generation
The sixth-generation Toyota Hilux was produced from 1997 to 2005, it was restyled in 2001. The sixth Hilux was equipped with three types of cabins and four engine options, there were three gasoline and one diesel option. The 6th generation Toyota Hilux received the name Tacoma in the American market.
Seventh generation
The seventh-generation Toyota Hilux was produced from 2004 to 2015, it was restyled in 2008. The seventh Hilux has gained real popularity around the world for its reliability and simplicity of design. The military and farmers, rebels and merchants, doctors and athletes loved it. The hosts from the Top Gear TV program drove to the North Pole in this car. The seventh-generation Hilux received a stronger spar frame with up to 45% torsional stiffness and an upgraded front double wishbone and rear spring suspension. It was produced in 3 body options. The Singlecab pickup was equipped with two doors and one seat for a third passenger. In the Extracab, the front seats reclined for passenger access back. The Doublecab had four doors with four or even five seats and was not inferior to SUVs in the number of seats.
Eighth generation
The eighth-generation Toyota Hilux has been produced from 2015 to the present. It is sold in the Pickup double cab body in Israel. The eighth Hilux is built on an upgraded seventh-generation pickup platform with a stiffer steel frame and improved chassis. The new Hilux has an independent double-wishbone suspension with an anti-roll bar at the front and a leaf spring structure with two shock absorbers on each side at the rear. Three options for adjusting shock absorbers and elastic elements are prepared for the truck. There is a Standard for all types of roads, Comfort for asphalt, and Heavy-duty for heavy loads.
Toyota introduced an updated version of the Hilux pickup truck in 2019. The restyled 2019 Hilux received changes to the radiator grille, a modified front bumper, and new fog lights with C-shaped chrome elements.
