Big, powerful, durable, and highly capable, the Toyota Hilux bakkie range is well-loved by South Africans. The Hilux is ingrained in our local culture, from farming and rural development, to inner-city street cruising.
It consistently dominates the sales charts in South Africa each month, outselling its rivals to remain a commercial success, according to NAAMSA Vehicle Sales Reports.
Arguably, no other Toyota Models have been as successful in South Africa as the Hilux has in the last decade if one considers the Naamsa vehicle sales reports, and Toyota takes full advantage of this by introducing updates and additions to the range regularly.
Let's take a look at the vehicle that took South Africa by storm.
Hilux's long and rich history started in 1968 when the first generation (N10) Toyota Hilux rolled off the production line in Hamura, Japan. It was immediately made available to global markets, with South Africa getting its first imports a year later.
The first models were available with 1.5 L and 1.6 L engines, and the 1.9 L and 2.0 L engines were introduced later. The second-generation Hilux (N20) was launched in 1972.
Toyota Hilux vehicles are famous for their outstanding durability and reliability. In an episode of the BBC Top Gear TV show, presenter Jeremy Clarkson set out to destroy a 1988 Hilux which already had 305,775 km on the odometer. The Hilux was left to get battered by the ocean tide, set on fire, and even dropped from a building during an implosion, but the tough bakkie continued to drive.
The Toyota Hilux offers features and specifications unique to each model and variant. Base models come standard with Toyota anti-lock brake systems (ABS), brake assist (BA), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), and vehicle stability control (VSC).
Other specs include power steering, central locking, and air conditioning. Optional features include four-wheel drive selector switches, hill assist control (HAC), trailer-sway control (TSC), and reversing cameras.
Toyota Hilux models are available in three base options: the Single Cab, Extra Cab (King Cab), and Double Cab. Each model has a range of engines, transmissions, and drivetrains options, making the Hilux model highly customisable to ensure customers get exactly what they're looking for in a bakkie.
Sales are supported by Toyota's extensive dealership network. There are close to 200 Toyota dealerships in South Africa offering the full range of Hilux models, along with their other vehicles such as the Corolla, RAV4, and Quantum. Test drives can be booked via the Toyota South Africa website.
Toyota also offers their own in-house financing solution, Toyota Financial Services Limited, to help customers build a financing plan that fits their budgets. All financing plans can be estimated using their online financing tool where customers can spec their Hilux, from colour to engine unit, and receive an estimated quote.
If you're going on an off-road adventure, the Toyota Hilux is an ideal model to rent and is easily available from most car rental service providers.
The base Toyota Hilux 2.0 Single Cab retails from R259,600 and the premium 4.0 V6 4X4 Raider 6AT Double Cab retails from R680,400.
Toyota sells their Genuine Warranty. This offers a no-hassles approach to the claims process, repairs using genuine parts, 24/7 Toyota Roadside Assistance, and a competitive premium. However, you can still take out a reliable vehicle warranty from another third-party service provider or add on a service plan if you wish.
Toyota Hilux models are manufactured and sold in high numbers – they are the best-selling vehicle in the country, according to NAAMSA vehicle sales reports. Toyota has therefore made support and service a priority. This is great news if you're looking for Toyota Hilux insurance, as this may positively affect the cost of the cover.
In contrast, some Toyota models, including the Hilux, are considered to be a high risk for car theft by car insurance companies; Toyotas are the second-most stolen car brand in South Africa, according to the Ctrack Vehicle Theft Report.
MyToyota Insurance is an in-house insurance policy available to clients whose cars are financed by Toyota. The benefits include repairs done by Toyota-accredited service agents, cover against accidental damage, hail damage, theft, and hi-jacking, and roadside assist, home assist, medical assist, and legal assist.
You can get all of these benefits from a number of other car insurance companies in South Africa – simply use the hippo.co.za comparison tool to compare them side by side and find one that fits your needs and your budget best.
Sources: Toyota South Africa, Wikipedia, Naamsa, Vehicle Theft Report
Information provided for informational purposes. Prices quoted correct at the time of publishing this article.
