The Toyota HiLux range is being updated this year with tweaked models offering active safety upgrades arriving in Australia over the coming months.

The updated 2019 Toyota HiLux will arrive here over the coming months with the regular best-seller copping a range-wide active safety upgrade via the Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance pack.

All updated models will gain a pre-collision safety system (autonomous emergency braking) with day and night pedestrian detection and day cyclist detection, high-speed active cruise control (operational above 40km/h), lane departure alert with steering assistance (via braking) and road sign assist.

Toyota claims that the changes will allow the HiLux to be tested to ANCAP’s more stringent protocols and realise a five-star rating. The Japanese car maker said there would be some changes to prices of between $800 and $8751 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,” Toyota said.
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, “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.

HiLux WorkMate models will get an updated instrument cluster incorporating a new 4.2-inch Multi-Information Display to ensure the driver can see that the active safety features are working.

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. At the same time, a six-speed manual will replace the old car’s five-speed manual transmission.