New Hilux 2.8ltr

[D4Dazz]

time has come to move on the Prado 150 and thinking the new Hilux fits the bill. Was just wondering anyone has had any experience with the new 2.8 as a tug or even better there are any members who have one who could share some thoughts.

Cheers

 

[yabbietol]

I am a bit biased, late last year started looking at a replacement for our Pajero and ended up with a Toyota LC200 GX. We looked at the Prado, Hilux and Fortuna liked all of them especially the Fortuna, but when we started to get down to price there was not a lot of give and take from local Toyota dealers. So did a rethink and for another ~$10K found the GX model of the LC200, most dealers do not want to sell you one they all try for the GLX and the VX both a lot more expensive. The GX has vinyl floors, less bling and barn doors it is designed for mining companies and gov sales.

We just tried a few dealers till we found a couple of dealers who wanted to sell a GX, we had a wait of several months and a bit of stuffing around and we also tried a car broker, next time might use the broker. In the end we got the GX on road in NSW for $76K including matts, headlight and bonnet protectors and included 12 Pin towing wiring, tow pro elite plus break safe monitor fitted. Note the wiring from the dealer was a bit ordinary and was redone for free by another Toyota dealer.

In summary the GX LC200 is a basic fit out, very comfortable and a great tow vehicle and for the extra $ we think better value than the Hilux/Fortuna.

 

[DWWood]

Company just traded the V6 150 series Prado for a new SR5 Hilux (my choice) and it tows my 2.5t 17.56-1 beautifully @D4Dazz

Got the ARB canopy with power in the rear for my Engel and I recently took away 3 nights worth of firewood, 4 camp chairs, 40lt Engel, 10lt Waeco, 2 burner Ziggy BBQ, small tool box, milk crate (full of crap I dont use), 3 fishing rods, tackle box, block splitter, 2 x slabs of beer, 30 pack of water bottles, table for BBQ and my flat pack fire pit and none of it sat above the top of the ute tray. Try fitting that in a Patrol, Landcruiser, Pajero etc plus I had 100kg to spare in payload.

As for towing the van the car doesn't ever really struggle, sits on the limit going uphill and I recently achieved 14.4lt per 100km. Only annoying thing is coming from the Prado it feels like I'm forever fuelling up due to the single fuel tank.

Gadgets inside are pretty cool, Sat nav, Pandora, weather with BOM radar, petrol station finder, digital radio, etc.

Roomy inside, I'm 6'3" and 130kg's and I never feel cramped. Seats are comfortable, enough room for 2 growing boys.

Have had 9" LED spotties fitted, UHF, ARB bull bar, ARB canopy, dashcam, power to canopy, roof racks to canopy. Next thing is a dual battery set up.

Anything else you need to know don't hesitate to ask.

 

[D4Dazz]

I am a bit biased, late last year started looking at a replacement for our Pajero and ended up with a Toyota LC200 GX. We looked at the Prado, Hilux and Fortuna liked all of them especially the Fortuna, but when we started to get down to price there was not a lot of give and take from local Toyota dealers. So did a rethink and for another ~$10K found the GX model of the LC200, most dealers do not want to sell you one they all try for the GLX and the VX both a lot more expensive. The GX has vinyl floors, less bling and barn doors it is designed for mining companies and gov sales.

We just tried a few dealers till we found a couple of dealers who wanted to sell a GX, we had a wait of several months and a bit of stuffing around and we also tried a car broker, next time might use the broker. In the end we got the GX on road in NSW for $76K including matts, headlight and bonnet protectors and included 12 Pin towing wiring, tow pro elite plus break safe monitor fitted. Note the wiring from the dealer was a bit ordinary and was redone for free by another Toyota dealer.

In summary the GX LC200 is a basic fit out, very comfortable and a great tow vehicle and for the extra $ we think better value than the Hilux/Fortuna.

Would love a a LC200 GX but unfortunately by the time I add about $15k of extras I'll be topping $90k.... and I would like to remain married.....

 

[D4Dazz]

Company just traded the V6 150 series Prado for a new SR5 Hilux (my choice) and it tows my 2.5t 17.56-1 beautifully @D4Dazz

Got the ARB canopy with power in the rear for my Engel and I recently took away 3 nights worth of firewood, 4 camp chairs, 40lt Engel, 10lt Waeco, 2 burner Ziggy BBQ, small tool box, milk crate (full of crap I dont use), 3 fishing rods, tackle box, block splitter, 2 x slabs of beer, 30 pack of water bottles, table for BBQ and my flat pack fire pit and none of it sat above the top of the ute tray. Try fitting that in a Patrol, Landcruiser, Pajero etc plus I had 100kg to spare in payload.

As for towing the van the car doesn't ever really struggle, sits on the limit going uphill and I recently achieved 14.4lt per 100km. Only annoying thing is coming from the Prado it feels like I'm forever fuelling up due to the single fuel tank.

Gadgets inside are pretty cool, Sat nav, Pandora, weather with BOM radar, petrol station finder, digital radio, etc.

Roomy inside, I'm 6'3" and 130kg's and I never feel cramped. Seats are comfortable, enough room for 2 growing boys.

Have had 9" LED spotties fitted, UHF, ARB bull bar, ARB canopy, dashcam, power to canopy, roof racks to canopy. Next thing is a dual battery set up.

Anything else you need to know don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks for the info DWwood, that's what I wanted to here. The main reason for wanting the Hilux is the extra space in the ute.Imwill likely be fitting drawers to keep everything tidy.Along with snorkel, suspension upgrade. IVe also ticked the leather option...

 

[Drover]

Have a mate who after spending heaps on canopy, rack, drawers, slide, bull bar, fridge, batteries, steps and all the other add ons actually ended up with 100kg left, problem was he wasn't sitting in it nor hooked the van on, so be carefull with all the extras. Actually what he spent at ARB I spent buying my Ute...lol.

 

[DWWood]

I had whole family sitting in the car with van hooked on with all of the stuff in the back I mentioned earlier plus a full tank with 100kg of payload remaining. Don't know what your mates loading into the back! Local tip site close to home let me use their exit weighbridge, did the whole car by itself, van by itself, car and van unhitched then car & van hitched.

The best part about it is I didn't pay a cent for the car. Lucky to have a good boss.

 

[Tricky]

The automatic Hilux has a lesser towing capacity than just about ever other 4x4 ute. (3200kg)

 

[Sean Robertson]

Hi there,

I am currently waiting for my new SR5 Hilux. I am in a prado 150 and am towing a 18 foot panda. With the van on the prado and all 5 of the family in the car, it puts the GVM of the car over weight by about 350kg, even though I can keep the van under the 2.5t towing capacity of the Prado. The Hilux was the choice for me with almost a ton of play in the GVM you can pack lots in. I did tow the van with a mates 2016 hilux sr5 2.8lt manual (3.5 ton tow capacity) and it pulled it no problems and had more grunt than the 3 litre 150. However it was a really wet night and I found the back of the hilux wheels spinning when we turned up a steep road, but coming from the all wheel drive system in the Prado which is fantastic, it may have been me just needing to adjust back to the 2 wheel drive of the Hilux. But for our family of three young boys the ute is the practical option even though I love my Prado.

 

[DWWood]

Yep, the two things I miss from the Prado are the larger fuel tank and the constant 4WD. I would've paid for the GVM upgrade if it wasn't company owned.

 

[Sean Robertson]

Me too but mine is a kakadu with kdss suspension which you cant upgrade to my knowledge.

 

[DWWood]

Think your right. Mine was a GXL.

 

[Geoff83]

We used a mates 2017 manual SR5 last week to tow our 16.49-3 and I was impressed. Economy mode can definitely feel the van there however they are another animal when you hit sports mode.

 

[DWWood]

Yep I leave sports mode on and leave it in S5 (auto). Economy mode feel real sluggish, even when not towing. Used cruise control on the flats to, towed beautifully.

 

[achjimmy]

Yep I leave sports mode on and leave it in S5 (auto). Economy mode feel real sluggish, even when not towing. Used cruise control on the flats to, towed beautifully.

Iam not up on the hilux but most autos it's not recommended to tow in 5th as it's an overdrive. Ultimately I think it depends on what gear it best stays locked in !

 

[achjimmy]

The automatic Hilux has a lesser towing capacity than just about ever other 4x4 ute. (3200kg)

I see that as a good thing. A manufacturer being conservative and honest about a utes capability

 

[DWWood]

Iam not up on the hilux but most autos it's not recommended to tow in 5th as it's an overdrive. Ultimately I think it depends on what gear it best stays locked in !

New Hilux is a 6 speed auto

 

[achjimmy]

New Hilux is a 6 speed auto

Yeah so is the Cruza and the recommendation is 4th as 5th and 6th are overdriven. As I said depends on what locks up, I watch the tranny temps and go off that but generally if 5 or 6 don't lock they go through the roof

 

[DWWood]

Tows in 5th pretty well. Not a lot of switching unless hilly areas but then it's dropping down between 3rd & 4th anyway however 4th pulls very well from low down so unless it's a step incline it rarely hits 3rd gear.

 

[Drover]

To save all the hassle I will gladly accept a New Hi-Lux to test and evalulate over the next few months, will even take it for a tour with Big Mal behind to properly access it's towing capability, a fuel card as well would be handy, an unbiased opinion of course would be forthcoming.in the fullness of time.