2012 Toyota Hilux facelift

The Toyota Hilux may currently account for almost a quarter of European pick-up sales, but new arrivals such as the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 are set to provide strong competition.



So it might not be a coincidence that a facelifted Hilux has just been announced for 2012.

The changes start on the outside, where all the panels forward of the A pillar have been redesigned. There are also new wheels, door mirrors and rear wings.



Acknowledging that an increasing number of pick-up buyers want one as a ‘lifestyle’ vehicle, rather than just a workhorse, the inside has been suitably spruced up too. Featuring better quality materials, it gets a new upper dashboard that now houses the ‘Toyota Touch’ 6.1” touch screen multimedia system.



As before, there’ll be a choice of Single, Extra or Double cab styles and two- or all-wheel drive. The 2012 Hilux will be available in four trim levels, the DLX, DLX+, SR and SR+.



Under the bonnet, the 3.0 D-4D engine is carried over, although a diesel particulate filter now means it’s Euro V compliant.



The 2.5 D-4D motor also gets the filter, plus a new variable nozzle turbocharger which lifts power to 142 bhp (106 kW / 144 PS). However, fuel economy actually improves from 34.0 mpg (8.3 l/100km) to 38.6 mpg (7.3 l/100km), while CO2 emissions drop to 193 g/km.



Related posts:

Mazda BT-50 Freestyle

2011 Ford Ranger revealed