Tow Test: Toyota HiLux 2015

What we liked:
>> Soft, go-anywhere suspension
>> Spacious, no-fuss interior
>> Big, usable tray

Not so much:
>> Needs more grunt for towing
>> Old-school interior
>> Lacks latest tech

It's normal for sales of any particular model to peter out towards the end of its life-cycle, as buyers look to newer, more exciting rivals or wait patiently for a new, improved version to arrive.

However, don't expect this to be the fate of Toyota's 'unbeatable' HiLux, for which brand loyalty, resale value and an 'unbreakable' reputation appear to have greater sway on sales volumes than the fancier interiors, more car-like performance and up-spec feature lists of many of its rivals.

Despite the much-anticipated arrival of an eighth-generation HiLux, probably in 2016 and the first all-new model in more than a decade -- and an all-new Nissan Navara just weeks' away -- we can't see anything in the near future that will affect the popularity of Australia's third best-selling vehicle.

Last year Toyota sold close to 40,000 HiLux utes in Australia, which was slightly down on the previous year but still greater than 20 per cent of the entire ute market.

And that's despite a flurry of brand new ute models in recent times, including Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50, Volkswagen Amarok and Holden Colorado, that on paper as well as behind the wheel are superior in many respects.

HiLux buyers were treated to some overdue but relatively minor updates in 2014, including a five-speed auto to replace the old four-speeder, a 17Nm boost (to 360Nm maximum torque) for the trusty 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, and fitment of a lap-sash belt to the centre rear seat which helped it gain a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Unfortunately, for those keen on using the HiLux for heavy-duty towing, braked towing capacity remains at 2500kg, which puts the Toyota workhorse well behind Mitsubishi Triton, Volkswagen Amarok and Nissan Navara (which offer 3000kg braked towing), and Holden Colorado, Isuzu D-MAX, Ford Ranger, and Mazda BT-50 (3500kg).

If our recent experience towing a Johnno's camper trailer from Melbourne to Wilsons Prom is any guide, the HiLux is not the best option even for medium towing duties.

Loaded up with four passengers, about 200kg of gear in the tray and 1400kg of camper trailer behind, the HiLux's truck-like turbo-diesel engine laboured up the slightest incline, despite maximum torque accessible from 1600rpm, and struggled to maintain speed up longer hills, regardless of revs.

The leisurely performance restricted smart take-offs from the lights, and required plenty of planning if a decision was made to over-take. It also made us wonder how it would cope towing the full 2500kg!

Although perhaps a more telling figure in relation to overall towing performance was a gross combined mass (car and trailer) approaching four tonnes, or around 75 per cent of the HiLux's maximum GCM of 5280kg.

Despite the impression the engine was working hard fuel economy was kept to a surprisingly low 8.5L/100km driving solo, rising to an equally impressive 12.0L/100km towing.

The HiLux was most relaxed when cruising at 100km/h highway speeds, with the engine sitting at 2000rpm in top gear, but plenty of accompanying engine, tyre and wind noise to drown out the radio.

That said, the HiLux is a no-fuss vehicle that does most things it's asked, and feels most at home on rough roads and lumpy tracks where the soft, long travel suspension soaks it all up. You certainly don't have to worry too much about your speed over bigger bumps.

The downside of this is plenty of body roll around corners, although this isn't an issue at slower towing speeds.

With its bullet-proof, ladder frame/leaf spring rear set-up, the HiLux remains unfazed when hitched up, with the ball weight of around 120kg having little effect on the rear suspension. Like a lot of utes it tends to ride a bit smoother with some weight on the ball to settle things down.

As a touring vehicle, it's reasonably comfortable, with the spacious, practical cabin providing room for five adults and adequate storage, although the seats are pretty flat and unsupportive and only manually adjustable for the driver.

With no reach adjustment for the steering wheel (a common omission on dual cab utes) I had to stretch my arms out further than desired.

Like most pick-ups, the HiLux is a pain doing U-turns, but being slightly more compact than some of its rivals (while maintaining a good-sized rear tub) makes it easier to park.

Along with the lethargic engine and sometimes slow-witted gearbox, the light steering and mushy brake pedal don't help inspire confidence on the road, compared to the more responsive BT-50 XTR dual cab ute, for example, that we drove days after the HiLux.

Despite being recently updated with new 'look' and materials, the HiLux cabin remains dated. The ad-hoc placement of displays and controls, while easily accessible, are nothing like the BT-50's logical layout.

While the HiLux SR5 comes with sat-nav, a reversing camera, cruise control and single-zone climate control, the lack of acoustic parking sensors and hill descent control are noticeable omissions.

We did like the bigger 6.1-inch touchscreen, which provides easy Bluetooth audio and phone connection and a user-friendly sat-nav. Although we discovered a couple of tech gremlins, like the sat-nav's refusal at one stage to suggest a U-turn after taking a wrong turn and ending kilometres off route.

The auto headlights' also have an annoying tendency to flick on- and off at the slightest suggestion of darkness, such as when driving under a bridge.

The HiLux retains other old school features, like a clunky 4x4 'stick' selector, and auto gearbox with individual slots for lower gears, rather than the more user-friendly 'sport' mode allowing up/down manual selection, in most of its rivals.

However, this is all water off a duck's back for the Toyota faithful. As with the big-selling Prado and its similarly below-par 2500kg tow rating, it's unlikely to tamper enthusiasm for the ubiquitous ute.

But if towing something decent is a major priority, we'd recommend just about any of its rivals ahead of the Toyota.

2015 Toyota HiLux SR5 Dual-Cab

Price: $54,490 (plus on road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 126kW/360Nm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP
Towing: 250kg (ball) 2500kg maximum