Toyota is currently evaluating bringing the Hilux pick-up truck to India and considering that it shares a lot with the Innova and Fortuner, it could be locally made, thus giving it a very aggressive price positioning of Rs 15-20 lakh!
What come as a rather big surprise, Toyota is considering the Hilux pick-up truck for a launch in India. Pick-up trucks aren’t a hugely popular body style in India but the sole lifestyle pick-up truck we have in India – the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross – has done fairly well in the market. And that’s exactly what got Toyota thinking on the Hilux for India. The Toyota Hilux is an extremely hardy vehicle with a great reputation for long-term reliability and mechanical robustness.
The Toyota Hilux is built on the IMV platform, the same as the Innova and the Fortuner. In fact, it also shares its engines, gearboxes, four-wheel drive system and suspension components with the other two vehicles. Even the ladder-frame chassis is similar in construction, although it is longer and more robustly built in case of the Hilux. Considering that both the Fortuner and Innova are already built here in India, Toyota could consider local manufacturing of the Hilux here, which would eventually help to cut down costs.
Being a pick-up truck, the Toyota Hilux is indeed a rather large vehicle. Measuring 5,285mm in length, it is longer than both the Fortuner and the Innova. The wheelbase is also longer at 3,085mm. The Hilux is intended to be a load carrier or a load hauler and to that effect, it uses utilitarian leaf springs for its rear suspension. The first three gears on the Hilux also have shorter ratios for better pulling power and the 2.4L and 2.8L diesel engines have been tuned to deliver more torque at low engine speeds. In fact, the 2.8L diesel engine in the Hilux delivers as much as 500Nm of torque.
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In terms of looks, the Hilux has a typical Toyota design but its pick-up body style and huge size would make it stand out on our Indian roads. The look is distinctively ‘truck-ish’ and you like vehicles of this style, you’ll definitely like the looks of the Hilux. The face sports a huge grille with smart looking headlamps and the bumper has a rugged and muscular appeal. The Hilux is also well appointed on the inside with a functional and comfortable cabin. It is in fact quite similar to that of the Forruner. Space on the second row, although not huge, is sufficient and should be comfortable.
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But is India ready for a pickup truck like this? We have already seen in the case of the Isuzu D-Max that there are buyers who would love such a body style. The only problem was that we didn’t have enough offerings. With the badge of a Toyota on the hood, it certainly makes a strong case for itself. The Hilux will combine the practicality of a load hauler with a 1.5×1.5-metre loading deck at the rear along with being a comfortable SUV as well. Reports claim that Toyota is targeting an aggressive entry price point of Rs 15 lakh for the double cab version and it could go up to Rs 20 lakh for the more luxurious and better-appointed versions. If they indeed get their pricing correct, Toyota has a potential winner in their hands for India.
