Toyota HiLux 2024 review: Rogue V-Active - off-road test

Our test vehicle this time, a Toyota HiLux Rogue dual-cab with V-Active “new fuel-saving powertrain technology” has a manufacturer suggested retail price of $71,530 (excluding on-road costs).

V-Active is optional on SR 4x4 double-cab automatic variants and standard on SR5 and Rogue 4x4 double cab automatic versions.

Standard features on our test vehicle include an 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

Standard features on our test vehicle include an 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system (with sat nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto), a nine-speaker JBL sound system, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a front cooler box, a marine-grade carpeted tub, a sports bar, LED load-space lights, an electric roller cover and 18-inch alloy wheels.

All models fitted with V-Active Technology also get Toyota’s 'Multi-Terrain Select' (MTS) that has six selectable driving modes aimed at improving traction in different conditions.

Comes with an electric roller cover. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

Exterior paint choices include 'Glacier White' (no extra cost) or premium paint such as 'Stunning Silver' (on our test vehicle), 'Frosted White', 'Graphite', 'Eclipse Black', 'Feverish Red', 'Oxide Bronze', 'Nebula Blue' or 'Saturn Blue' which costs $675.

The Rogue’s cabin is a case of function winning out over fancy form but, having said that, the black with grey leather-accented trim adds some low-key class to the interior.

There are plenty of durable hard plastic surfaces, numerous storage spaces, a reasonable number of charging points up front. Specifically, two USB ports as well as a wireless charging pad and two 12V sockets and a 240V socket inside the centre console.

The driver’s seat is power-adjustable and quite comfortable without ever straying into plush territory.

Apple CarPlay is easy enough to get working via the Rogue’s multimedia system, but the screen is still too small, and overall the Rogue feels a bit underdone in terms of the tech on offer.

There’s a reasonable amount of space – head-, knee- and legroom – for rear-seat passengers but it's more suited to accommodating three children or two adults. 

There are bottle holders in each door, and a dual cupholder in the fold-down centre armrest. Plus adjustable central air vents and a pair of USB-C sockets.

The HiLux cabin looks and feels very familiar. You know where everything is and how to use it and that’s a good thing. And while the interior may still seem a bit old overall I don’t mind it.

In terms of packability, the Rogue’s tub is 1570mm long (1105mm between the wheel arches), 1645mm wide and the load space itself is 495mm deep. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

In terms of packability, the Rogue’s tub is 1570mm long (1105mm between the wheel arches), 1645mm wide and the load space itself is 495mm deep.

Updated 2024 Toyota HiLux models have a tailgate damper and spring.

It has an electric roller cover, a 12V socket, LED lights, and marine-grade carpet (Velcroed into place). The roller cover’s drum, in which the roller cover is stored when the tub is open and the cover is retracted, still impacts the tub’s load-space, but not as much as these contraptions once did.

The Rogue has a 2.8-litre, turbo-diesel, four-cylinder engine producing 150kW at 3400rpm and 500Nm from 1600-2800rpm and it's only available with a six-speed automatic transmission.

This is a proven engine-and-transmission combination with lots of low down torque.

It has part-time four-wheel drive (with high- and low-range gearing) and a rear diff lock.

This HiLux’s V-Active Technology system comprises a motor generator, 48-volt battery and DC/DC converter which enables a stop/start system.

Toyota claims the system improves driveability and performance, but most importantly fuel efficiency, up to approximately 10 per cent compared to the standard 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine.

The Rogue has a 2.8-litre, turbo-diesel, four-cylinder engine producing 150kW at 3400rpm and 500Nm from 1600-2800rpm. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

Variants with V-Active also feature Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select off-road system that has six selectable modes to help improve traction in a range of conditions.

When in low-range you can choose 'Auto', 'Sand', 'Mud' or 'Rock' modes, and in high range Auto, Sand and Mud as well as 'Dirt' and 'Deep Snow'.

The stop/start system has 'Normal' or 'Long' settings, the latter keeping the engine switched off for longer than an internal-combustion powertrain.

Toyota reckons the motor generator unit has been positioned high enough in the engine bay “to allow for successful and safe water crossings”.

Well, that depends on how deep the water crossings you're tackling are. For your peace of mind I drove through a series of shallow mudholes at high and low speeds and no water reached anywhere near the generator.

For starters, the HiLux is not diabolical on road; it does rather well on sealed surfaces. It's a ute so there's a bit of a firm and skittish ride and the steering's not perfect, but it's not too bad, either. 

However, the HiLux belongs off-road and it remains one of the best four-wheel drive utes around. Not in terms of refinement or comfort or even all-round drivability but in its capability in the dirt, sand, mud or rocks. And this is where it garners the bulk of its points for this test.

In everything from mechanicals through to driver-assist tech this is an impressive package. 

There's plenty of torque down low, the low-range gearing is solid, the traction control system is quite well calibrated and, in Rogue spec, this ute is physically set up near perfectly for four-wheel driving with its wider track, greater ride height and extra wheel articulation. 

Even though the GR Sport is perceived as the line-up’s off-road beast, everything on-board the Rogue is aimed at making it that much better in four-wheel driving than a standard HiLux. 

But that's not to say a standard HiLux isn't any good off-road because it is, but the aforementioned Rogue elements add to the whole package. 

And now that HiLux variants equipped with V-Active technology also get Multi-Terrain Select it makes the whole set-up even more capable.

In terms of off-road-relevant measurements, the Rogue offers running ground clearance of 265mm, has an official wading depth of 700mm and adequate approach (31 degrees) and departure (23 degrees) angles. Toyota does not list a ramp-over angle.

But it’s not all good news.

The 48-volt set-up in this Rogue don't add anything to the driving experience. It's essentially a stop-start system and that's aimed at reducing fuel consumption. But it doesn’t add anything in terms of performance.

The system’s fuse box also takes up useable space in the engine bay where an off-road tourer might usually put the second battery in their dual-battery set-up.

There are some other problems in the Rogue grade. For one, the tyres on this, which is supposed to be a 4WD-focused model and off-road adventure machine, are not designed for off-roading. If you're going to do any touring in your Rogue, replace those tyres with a set of decent all-terrains.

Another less-than-ideal feature are the HiLux’s hard plastic mud guards because they tend to get hooked up on big tree roots or rocks when you're climbing or going down rock steps and they may break under that sort of pressure. This is not a flaw limited to the HiLux, though. Plenty of modern utes have this issue.

If you plan to use your HiLux as a tow vehicle unbraked trailer towing capacity is 750kg and braked towing capacity is 3500kg. 

Payload is listed as 764kg, Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) is 3510kg, and Gross Combined Mass (GCM) is not listed, but other 48V grades can cope with 5850kg.

The Rogue has the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, as a result of testing in July 2019. 

It has seven airbags, AEB, low-speed AEB (with pedestrian and cyclist detection), trailer sway control, a 360-degree camera view, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, active cruise control as well as rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring. 

It has an ISOFIX point and top tethers in each of the rear outboard seat positions.