New Hilux proves too soft for the bush

How is this for a theory - The Aussie outback was (before fuel prices) being assaulted by hoards of travelers deciding to holiday here instead of OS (too much terrorism).
As a result, the roads in popular outback destinations are more than often hell ! Instead of trying to strengthen their products to withstand the increasingly rough conditions that exist for thousands of kms, they opt away from that market (as with the 100 series) ... does this hold water as an idea ? Even though the new Lux is a 'world car", they must have figured there is plenty of business in the 'soft' sector. IF people break them under warranty in harsh conditions, they'll fix those few, with the huge profits they make here.

As with pretty much all new 4WDs, the new Hilux is not suitable for serious off roading when driven out of the show room. But few vehicles are these days.

I love our new Hilux, but I've had to spend a fair bit to make it acceptable off road (lift, suspension, steel side steps, rear protector bars, bull bar, snorkel). It is now a great on road and touring vehicle and a more than adequate off road vehicle. Just what we wanted.

I've read that the biggest 'single' market for 4WDs is now the Middle East. Not a lot of Aussie style off roading over there. They want comfort and power, so that is what the world seems to be getting. Comfort improvements will generally be at the expense of serious off road capability in most vehicles; not just in the Hilux.

By the way, bent my bash plate on first off road trip too (along with the alloy side steps). ARB bull bar will solve the bash plate (note the name, sounds like it is meant to be bashed - so I did) and steel steps were always going to replace the cr@p alloy ones. It is only money after all!!

In my dreams I'd have the 'Lux for touring (we are planning lots) and a modified 80 series for play. Guess I'll keep dreaming.

This is the Aus 4wd Monthly "Ute of the Year" we're talking about here isn't it????
;-))

Those damn South Africans are not qualified to test a vehicle such as the new Hilux - they don't have any bitumen highways to get a valid opinion...........

Everyone seems to be picking on the poor new hilux, the ground clearance being the only real concern.

My old Hilux has 180,000 on her now and its time to let her go, what else does a Toyota duel cap guy do, change to Nissan, no way, he gets another Hilux and moves on.

What else is there really to choose from..........

I know personally a GMH Service Manager, he said not to go near the TD Rodeo and the current Nissan you need to be a miget.

I ordered the new Lux, I'll let ya knw how it goes :-)

No new 4wd is ready off the showroom for offroad use. Have had and driven in the last 4 models hundreds of times offroad. I have a new Lux with the mods and can say that the new model is far better than the previous model offroad, better wheel articulation and far better ride.

The best hilx I've had for serious offroad use was a 1995 turbo hilux, not the best ride but would go any where.

Given the sales success so far I dont think Toyota will give to much of a toss...

I to own a current model Hilux SR 4x4 turbo Diesel. Now done 3000 km's in a month of owning. It is my first 4wd but have been in many and am loving it.

I have just gotten back from a week in the flinders range's doing many of the 4wd tracks with my uncle who owns a 1993 pajero.

I was blown away with the sort of terrain I conquered in my hilux and was stoked in its handling and fuel economy.

We did 4 4wd tracks in the flinders from our base at the fantastic Rawnsley Station.

First was the Arkapena 4wd track (think that was its name)
then the Arkapena Chase Range Track
third was Arkaba Station track
and finally was the Skytrek

The only two problems I faced in all the treks were the following

on the chase range on the really steep long decent from the top of the range I had a large boulder flip up unexpectantly and bent the plates uner the 4wd into What drives the right hand wheel to make a scraping noise which was a easy fix due to carrying the right tools to fix

and the second was on the climb to the lookout in skytrek prior to mt canerveron there is a series of "what us 4wd newbies called speedhumps" On the second to last my uncle radioed he bottomed out the pajero and to take it easy. When I approached it I hit it to slow and lost traction and could not get over it, bleep myself backing it down and went to hit it again and could not get over it again,after that my wife jumped ship and walked to the top and I backed up a good 5-6 metres and gave it a bit more speed and got over without bottoming out feeling much relieved and needing to clean my underwear.

The first prob was really unlucky I believe and the second prob was a combination of lack of experience and also the fact I still have the factory wheels and tires so fairly narrow and road tread.

Other than these problems it was a breeze to drive on these tracks and the low range gearing was awesome on all decents and climbs, nicely controlled.

Everyone is open to there own opinion but until you have driven one you can't make a informed decision on its capabilitys.

I am new to 4wd and am not sure if the treks I did are considered basic 4wd, medium or serious but the hilux did it piss easy

I had no problems with the door seals and went through a creek over the door seals

I LOVE MY HILUX