A huge ultra conservative car maker like Toyota never does anything in a hurry. Yet, even by Toyota standards the length of time taken for it to move into the sports ute market segment could be considered excessive.
However, the giant has finally stirred – and come up with a HiLux sports ute that has been worth the wait.
Toyota HiLux Black is based on the SR5 4WD double-cab pickup. Toyota tells us that fewer than 1000 Blacks are being produced, but doesn’t nominate an exact number. Strange, but it would be worth your while to visit your local Toyota dealer asap as sales are likely to be fast and furious.
Toyota’s performance division, TRD, aided the design of the cosmetic enhancements, so a TRD logo appears on the wheel caps and the front bumper extension.
Toyota HiLux Black is on sale now in a range of exterior and interior designs, all presented in bold black to match the famed toughness of the vehicle. Black side steps and sports bar are immediate standouts; as are the 17-inch alloy wheels painted black behind brightly machined six-spoke faces.
The large black lower front grille features a red stripe along the bottom edge. LED daylight running lamps are specified for the first time on a HiLux in Australia. Black extensions below the foglight surrounds also make a statement.
Prominent new front and rear bumpers, never previously offered in Australia, give the HiLux Black a planted stance. Special-edition badges located discreetly on the front and rear bumpers further distinguish the HiLux Black.
Leather-accented black interior trim is part of the package as is a six-way power-operated driver’s seat. The Black has a reversing camera and a satellite navigation system with Suna Live Traffic updates. A handy sized 6.1-inch screen is used for these, as well making it simple to navigate the audio system.
Despite this long awaited foray into the special edition pickups, Toyota says it hasn’t forgotten HiLux’s day-to-day strengths. Toyota Australia executive director of sales and marketing, Tony Cramb says, “People buy HiLux as a tough workhorse, a family vehicle, or as a mixture of both, which means they are attracted by its renowned ruggedness and also its car-like comfort. HiLux Black delivers the best of both worlds. Its aggressive black features build on the unbreakable image of HiLux while exuding a premium appearance because black is always in style.”
The colour choice is black and white – literally. Toyota Australia has specified Eclipse Black and Glacier White as the only exterior paint options for the special-edition model.
The HiLux Black is powered by a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, mated to either a five-speed manual or the five-speed automatic transmission.
HiLux Black is priced from $53,240 for the manual version in white. The optional black paint is $550 extra.
Automatic transmission adds a hefty $2750.
Like all Toyota HiLuxes, the Black is covered by Toyota Service Advantage at a maximum of $170 per service.
