2024 Toyota HiLux 48-Volt Mild Hybrid (V-Active Technology) Review

The Toyota HiLux has finally gone hybrid! Well, kind of.

Toyota has added V-Active Technology – which is a fancy way of trying not to say 48-Volt Mild Hybrid – which pairs a small electric motor and electric battery to deload the engine from powering accessories, and therefore improving engine fuel economy by a claimed 10%.

Although Toyota haven’t explicitly said why they won’t call it a hybridised powertrain (despite being one), it’s likely to temper expectations of you and I about its real world fuel economy implications.

However, with this new mild-hybrid technology, Toyota have also given the HiLux a ‘facelift’ adding other new technology and design elements to the range.

So, is the new mild hybrid Toyota HiLux worth buying? Let’s talk about that!

How much does the HiLux 48V Mild Hybrid cost?

Prices are up for the 48V HiLux, but really not by much.

Today we’re reviewing the cheapest entry into the mild-hybrid powertrain, which is the SR.

If you opt for the dual-cab pickup variant (i.e. with the tub) with the 48V mild-hybrid option, the price premium is $1,605.

However that does add LOADS of extra kit on top of the 48V system:

• Keyless entry and go
• Auto up/down functionality for all side windows
• Dual-zone climate control
• Carpet flooring

For the SR5, Rogue and GR Sport HiLux’s – the 48V system is now included as standard, and adds $590, $770 and $770 respectively. Though their standard kit remains the same.

• HiLux SR 48V 4x4 dual-cab chassis auto: $54,130 (new, $1025 more than non-mild-hybrid)
• HiLux SR5 48V 4x4 dual-cab chassis auto: $60,580 (up $590 vs 2023 non-mild-hybrid)
• HiLux SR 48V 4x4 dual-cab pick-up auto: $56,210 (new, $1605 more than non-mild-hybrid)
• HiLux SR5 48V 4x4 dual-cab pick-up auto: $63,260 (up $770 vs 2023 non-mild-hybrid)
• HiLux Rogue 48V 4x4 dual-cab pick-up auto: $71,530 (up $770 vs 2023 non-mild-hybrid)

Note: Prices are $AUD and before on-road costs

What are the exterior changes for the facelifted HiLux?

You’d be hard-pressed to tell the changes of the facelifted HiLux, but you can if you look close enough.

New front bumpers adorn the Workmate, SR, and SR5 models.

The SR5 now boasts blacked-out styling, including a black upper grille mould, darkened headlight surrounds, gloss black mirror caps, door handles, a black sports bar, and a black-finish tailgate handle.

Gas struts and dampers have been added for pick-up variants (more on this later).

The Workmate's petrol and single-cab chassis models now feature a dark-grey front bumper, previously black.

Additionally, the Workmate receives a black front skid plate, while the SR and SR5 sport a silver one.

What is its tub and practicality like?

Firstly, well done to Toyota for adding the dual gas struts for the tub and dampers.

Before, children in particular were often unable to open the back due to the sheer weight of the tailgate.

Now, the tailgate is easy to lift, and easy to open, which is a great change.

Dimensions are amongst the best in class, with 1570mm of length, 1645mm width (1109mm between the arches) and 481mm of depth.

The HiLux comes with a close to 1-tonne payload capacity, though exact figures are hard to gauge. The SR5, a heavier take on the SR with more features, has a 940kg payload for reference.

The Toyota HiLux is rated to tow 3.5 tonnes for 4x4 variants.

What’s the interior like and changes for the 48V Toyota HiLux?

This generation of HiLux first came out in 2015, and you can tell.

In fact, you have an immediate reminder right in the centre of the cabin – the infamous grandfather clock, which was a somewhat luxurious touch back in the early 2000’s era.

I can’t rag on the interior too much considering the SR we’re reviewing today is the cheapest 48V mild hybrid HiLux on offer.

However, spec-for-spec with a Ford Ranger XLS – which is the closest Ranger priced to the SR HiLux at about $1100 more – the interior is looking rather glum.

Firstly, what’s new for the HiLux interior? Wireless phone chargers have been added to the SR5, Rogue, and GR Sport.

These models also benefit from two rear USB-C ports, though rather oddly the front USB port remains the slower USB-A.

The SR with the 48-volt system now includes keyless entry and start, auto up/down functionality for all side windows, dual-zone climate control, and carpet flooring.

Additionally, front and rear parking sensors are now standard on SR automatic pick-ups.

The centre console has been redesigned, with the deletion of a cupholder to accommodate the wireless charger. In the SR however, you simply get a large, moulded area in place of the wireless charger for your phone or other trinkets.

A new drive mode selection system has been introduced, featuring recalibrated modes: 'Normal', 'Eco', and 'Sport' (replacing 'Power').

For the 48V mild hybrid variants, Multi-Terrain Select has been added, providing off-road driving modes depending on whether in 4-high or 4-low.

The Multi-Terrain Select off-road traction-control system includes modes for Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow, Auto, and Rock.

Otherwise, it’s same old HiLux. And yes, it still feels old.

The plastic steering wheel is unremarkable, and the analogue gauges with small display in front of the driver remain untouched. Though now in the display of the gauge cluster is an electric motor status screen to check in on what the electric motor is contributing.

The cabin is almost entirely missing any form of soft touch materials, down to the armrest – which is hard scratchy plastic and provides elbow sores if you leave your arm resting on it too long.

Storage is fantastic though, with a dual-split glovebox across the range – unlike the Ranger which reserves that privilege for higher trims – and 2 cupholders in the dashboard.

The seats are a rather nice cloth material and are comfortable enough for longer journeys.

Sadly the 8.0” infotainment display remains worst in class, with rather terrible viewing angles, brightness and overall functionality. Also, the 6-speaker sound system is rather poor with bad bass frequencies in particular.

It sounds like someone is punching the speaker housing and no amount of EQ can remedy this without almost entire deletion of the lower frequencies.

Still,  most people will continue to use wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and move on.

Almost 10 years on, and the interior is certainly feeling its age.

What about back seats?

For a ute, the HiLux does back seats well.

At 5'11", I have plenty of leg-, head- and toe-room behind my drivers position which could not be said of the Ford Ranger.

Sadly, because we have the SR spec we don't get air-vents or charging ports. But the SR5 and above do get these, and also 2xUSB-C ports for the rear occupants.

Other amenities are good, with dual map pockets, a fold down centre armrest with 2 more cupholders and dual 4kg rated carry hooks.

What’s under the bonnet of the 48V Mild Hybrid Toyota HiLux?

The 2024 Toyota HiLux retains its venerable 2.8-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine, with 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque.

Although it has had DPF issues in the past, Toyota have since claimed to have rectified this issue and most mechanics I’ve spoken to agree that this engine remains a class-leader in terms of reliability.

Of course now, there is some more complexity to the system – with the addition of a small electric motor and approximately 1.4kWh battery under the centre-rear passenger seat in the rear.

Still, Toyota claim they have thought about motor reliability a two-arm belt tensioner and high-strength rib side fabric belt.

While on its own the electric motor can provide small boosts of up to 12kW of power and 65Nm of torque, that is not its primary purpose.

Its role is to power accessories that would normally be powered by the engine, therefore taking load of the engine.

This is particularly noticeable at stops, where the new stop-start system – with two modes, short stop and long stop – turns off the engine when the car is at a complete stop to save idle fuel usage.

In addition, idle engine RPM now sits at 600rpm (down from 720rpm).

The new electric motor is also able to have smoother hill-starts as the brake boosting capability can be powered by the 48V system.

In all, this leads to a ‘10%’ reduction in claimed fuel use over the non-48V 2.8L turbo-diesel engine, as good as 7.4L/100km on the combined fuel cycle.

How does the Toyota HiLux 48V Mild-Hybrid Drive?

Although Toyota have intentionally tempered expectations on the hybridised Triton, the reality is actually far more positive then I expected.

Firstly fuel economy was around ~6% better for me over a combined mix of highway and urban conditions, sitting at 8.3L/100km. For reference, the SR5 HiLux I drove a couple of years back returned 8.8L/100km

Then there is the matter of performance. The 2.8L turbo-diesel on its own is plenty powerful, with a decent amount of power and torque shifting it along the road at pace.

If I hadn’t tested it using specialist timing gear, I would have claimed the extra power was just noticeable but could also have been a placebo effect.

However, I timed the 0-100km/h sprint at 9.6 seconds. Which is about 0.3 seconds faster than the more powerful tune of the same engine without V-Active Technology found in the GR Sport HiLux, which has a revised tune of 165kW of power and 550Nm of torque.

Unlike hybrid systems found in the Camry or other Toyota products, the mild-hybrid will never allow the engine to run off electric power only.

The diesel remains on and as agricultural sounding as ever, and any bursts of power can only be told not through feel, but rather the EV motor status screen within the instrument cluster.

In other aspects than engine, the HiLux stays the same.

This means, it still has heavy yet indirect steering, and the ride quality from the rear leaf springs is firm at best, downright uncomfortable at worst.

When compared to the driving benchmark of the segment Ute segment, the Ford Ranger – as told to me in off-record chats with manufacturers currently developing Utes – the HiLux remains skippy in the rear at most speeds and terrains when there is no weight over the rear axle.

The 6-speed torque converter automatic operates in the background without much though and is quick enough to downshift when demanded by a stab of the throttle.

Road noise is poor in the HiLux, with a particular intrusion of wind over the side mirrors and a loud diesel engine other manufacturer have figured out how to isolate better.

Still, for a lot of people none of the above seems to phase them, and if that’s you then you’ll be satiated with the overall performance of the mild hybrid 48V HiLux and its new power boost.

What do you get with the new HiLux 48V V-Active Technology?

2024 Toyota HiLux Workmate Standard Features:

• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Two-speaker sound system
• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic headlights
• Air-conditioning
• Power windows
• Cloth upholstery
• Vinyl floors
• Halogen headlights and daytime running lights
• Reversing camera (Double Cab ute only)
• 16-inch wheels (17-inch in Double Cab, 4×4 variants)
• 4.2-inch information display
• Basic cruise control and turn-key ignition

2024 Toyota HiLux SR Adds Over Workmate:

• Multi-Terrain Select with six selectable modes
• Hill descent control
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Side steps
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Body-coloured door handles
• Four- or six-speaker sound system (Extra Cab and Double Cab, respectively)
• Front air-conditioned cooler box
• Colour-matching bodywork
• Premium fabric interior trim
• Improved seats
• Additional drive modes
• Rear differential lock

2024 Toyota HiLux SR5 Adds Over SR:

• Dark-finish LED headlights
• Gloss black exterior mirrors and door handles
• Powder-coated black sports bar
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Privacy glass
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Rear air vents (Double Cab only)
• 'Premium' shifter and steering wheel
• Wireless phone charger
• 2 x rear USB-C outlets
• Carpeted floors
• Chrome door handles
• Puddle lights
• Stainless steel sports bar
• Additional power sockets
• Rear disc brakes
• Parking sensors
• Tow bar receiver
• Additional safety systems

2024 Toyota HiLux SR5+ Adds Over SR5:

• Power driver’s seat
• Heated front seats
• Leather-accented upholstery

2024 Toyota HiLux Rogue Adds Over SR5+:

• Nine-speaker JBL sound system (optional downgrade to 6-speaker for a $750 credit)
• Motorised roller cover
• Widened track (+140mm)
• Raised suspension (+20mm)
• Rear stabiliser bar
• Ventilated rear disc brakes
• Wheel arch flares
• Mud flaps
• 18-inch wheels in a unique design
• Rogue-specific body color options and contrasting trim items
• 'Wide-track' over fenders
• 'Marine-grade' tub liner
• Resin-finished sports bar
• LED lighting for the tray
• Standard leather interior trim
• Eight-way power adjustable driver's seat

2024 Toyota HiLux GR Sport Adds Over Rogue:

• Red seatbelts
• 17-inch alloy wheels in 265/65 R17 Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tyres
• Leather and suede-upholstered sports seats
• Aluminium pedals
• Paddle shifters

Is the HiLux 48V Mild-Hybrid safe?

The Toyota HiLux 48V Mild Hybrid is equipped with a range of safety features, reflecting the results of its 5-star ANCAP rating achieved in July 2019.

The model has been tested in various safety categories, with the following scores:

• Adult occupant protection: 96%
• Child occupant protection: 87%
• Vulnerable road user protection: 88%
• Safety assist: 78%

Standard Safety Equipment Across the HiLux Lineup:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Lane Departure Warning
• Adaptive Cruise Control (standard in automatic models)
• Brake-based Lane Keep Assist
• Traffic Sign Recognition

Additional Safety Features in Select Variants:

• Front and Rear Parking Sensors (included in automatic models and select higher variants)
• Blind-spot Monitoring (available in select higher variants)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (available in select higher variants)
• Reversing Camera
• Surround-View (360-degree) Camera (available in select higher variants)

Passive Safety:

• The vehicle includes a comprehensive airbag system, which features dual front, front side, driver’s knee, and full-length curtain airbags.

Should you buy a 2024 Toyota HiLux V-Active Tech (48V Mild Hybrid)?

With the relatively high price and below average on-road dynamics, it’s quite difficult to recommend a HiLux over competition.

If reliability is a concern, Isuzu provides a very reliable 4JJ3 powered D-Max for less cost. If power, driving performance, technology and more standard spec is on the wishlist, the Ford Ranger is still an easier recommendation.

However, for those who just want to know if the mild-hybrid system for the HiLux is worth it over the regular engine, the answer is a solid yes.

For around $700 on average, depending on the variant, the small extra performance of the motor and improved fuel efficiency is a nice iteration on an otherwise perfectly pleasant diesel engine.

Are you looking to buy a Toyota HiLux, we can help! We have over 2000 dealers who we pit-against each other to get you the best price and cars that are actually in stock. Best of all, it’s free for you! We charge the dealer a fixed fee, ensuring the best price for you. Head to CarSauce.com/Buy to learn more.