TOYOTA HAS ANNOUNCED significant increases in the safety technology offered on its HiLux.
Despite commercial vehicles often acting as a workplace for many owners, they lag behind in the safety features now standard in most passenger vehcles.
The HiLux models will benefit from the addition of Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance features as part of a range-wide upgrade arriving over the coming months.
All models gain pre-collision safety system with day and night pedestrian detection and day cyclist detection, high-speed active cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assistance and road sign assist.
The substantial upgrade in features is expected to deliver a five-star 2019 ANCAP safety rating for HiLux and comes at a minimal price increase of between $800 and $875 depending on the variant.
The comprehensive safety package will become standard on every variant of Australia’s best-selling vehicle from the tough HiLux WorkMate cab-chassis to the top-of-the-range HiLux Rugged X.
Updated 4×2 and 4×4 HiLux single and double-cab versions go on sale on July 8, with Rugged, Rogue and Rugged X models available from August 1 and HiLux extra cab variants on sale from August 26.
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley said the increasing roll-out of the Toyota Safety Sense suite of features across its model line-up is designed to give customers the peace of mind that whatever vehicle they choose, they are assisted by the latest advanced safety technology.
“With the addition of these advanced safety technologies, customers can be assured they are behind the wheel of a vehicle that delivers the latest driver assistance features, whether that’s a light commercial vehicle like HiLux or HiAce, or a passenger car such as Corolla or Camry,” Mr Hanley said.
“We intend making these types of technologies available on every variant in each model range,” he said.
Using camera and radar sensors, the pre-collision safety system is designed to detect vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists and assists the driver with visual and audible warnings, braking assistance or autonomous emergency braking if the driver fails to heed the warning.
The lane departure alert function will warn the driver if the system detects that the car has deviated from its lane with visual and audible alerts and steering wheel vibration. If necessary, it will also provide steering assistance via the braking system.
A high-speed active cruise control has also been made standard across the HiLux range that uses various sensors to maintain a suitable following distance to the vehicle in front, providing both added safety and convenience. The ACC system operates at speeds above 40km/h and will automatically be disabled if the vehicle speed falls below 40km/h.
All HiLux variants also feature a road sign assist system that is able to recognise speed limit signs and display them on the multi information display (MID) in the instrument cluster.
To ensure all safety feature information is clearly visible to the driver, HiLux WorkMate models feature an updated instrument cluster incorporating a new 4.2-inch Multi-Information Display that is now standard on all variants.
Along with the safety upgrade across the range, Toyota has also made some minor changes to the WorkMate grade line-up.
The standard 4×2 single-cab cab-chassis and double-cab 2.4-litre turbo diesel models have been discontinued and replaced with WorkMate Hi-Rider versions that feature the same body and engine configuration with a ride height raised to the same level as HiLux 4×4 models.
The move to a Hi-Rider configuration for these two WorkMate variants means a new six-speed manual gearbox replaces the previous five-speed transmission.
The upgraded HiLux is priced from $21,865 (plus on road costs) for the 2.7-litre petrol 4×2 WorkMate manual single cab chassis to $64,490 for the top-of-the-range 2.8-litre turbodiesel 4×4 Rugged X automatic.
Once we have tested and assessed the new Toyota HiLux range, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.