2023 Toyota HiLux Rogue heads Down Under

The best-selling HiLux ute has a wider body and a range of off-road enhancements improving off-road ability and on-road performance.

By Jess Olson 3 Min Read
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Fasten your seatbelts Australia, the brand new Toyota HiLux is set to launch Down Under between October to December. The best-selling HiLux ute is coming to us with an improved wider body and a range of off-road enhancements to improve both off-road ability and on-road performance.

Out with the disc brakes, in with the drum brakes

For the very first time in HiLux history, we will see modern rear ventilated disc brakes replace drum brakes in this vehicle. Due to this upgrade, the Toyota HiLux Rogue is now in line with the new-generation Ford Ranger, the Volkswagen Amarok, the SsangYong Musso, the LDV T60 and the GWM Ute. The front brake discs also haven’t been forgotten and will be made 25mm larger.

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Bigger is better

When it comes to the 2023 HiLux Rogue you’ll find bigger is better, or to be more accurate, wider is better. The new model will feature 140 millimetre-wider front and rear tracks, which sees the distance between the left and right side tyres increased, as well as a 20 millimetre-taller ride height. The thinking behind these? Your vehicle will have a better stance on the road and upgraded on-road and off-road dynamics. To accommodate the wider track we will also see wider wheel arch fenders and mudguards.

The front suspension arms have been extended on the vehicle and length has been added to the rear axle. Also in the rear, you’ll find that the dampers have been brought out further towards the wheels and a rear stabiliser has been added that may provide increased ride comfort and enhance cornering ability.

Is the engine changing?

It’s expected that the engine will remain the same as the current 2.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel unit. It produces 150 kilowatts of power and 500 newton-metres of torque. 

How hard is this going to hit the bank?

Currently, your guess is as good as ours as no specific pricing details have been yet released.

What about the other HiLux models?

The single-cab versions (WorkMate and SR) are likely to keep the HiLux’s pre-facelift styling, with 16-inch steel wheels and a plastic front bumper. The SR5 is going to receive upgraded safety technology which includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and a 360-degree camera. The HiLux Rugged X is going to be cut and replaced by a new apex off-road model which is to be announced and released at a later date that’s not currently confirmed.

With a lot of new vehicles hitting our market, the end of the year is set to be an exciting influx of new models to check out.



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