Toyota HiLux 2021 review: Rugged X off-road test

The Rugged X is the top-spec HiLux. It has an MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) of $69,990, plus on-road costs. As mentioned earlier, that’s $5500 more than the previous-gen Rugged X. And you can’t now opt for a manual variant because there are none on offer.

The dual-cab Rugged X has the line-up’s 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (150kW/500Nm) and six-speed automatic transmission. Braked towing capacity is now 3500kg, 300kg more than before. 

It has a part-time four-wheel drive system and a rear diff lock.

As per the 2021 range, it has the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver-assist tech including high-speed active cruise control, pre-collision safety system with pedestrian detection (AEB), lane departure alert and road sign assist.

What differentiates the Rugged X from the rest of the ’Lux pack is the fact it comes equipped with a stack of extras aimed at making this HiLux even more ready for an off-road adventure than its stablemates. I’m talking about gear that the buyer would otherwise have to seek out in the aftermarket realm. Just think of this ute as an SR5 that Toyota has thrown the ‘off-road-readiness’ book at – so it’s more practical than poseur. 

Standard Rugged X features include a hoopless steel bullbar, substantial Toyota-branded bash plate, front lighting bar, snorkel, heavy-duty front springs, steel side steps with built-in rock-sliders (rock rails), 17-inch black alloy wheels and a heavy-duty steel rear bumper with a step-up.

The Rugged X wears 17-inch black alloy wheels.

Don’t forget the recovery points, front and rear.

It also has wheel arch mouldings, tow bar, tow ball and tongue, trailer wiring harness (seven-pin flat), and an in-cabin electric brake controller.

Having all of that gear onboard from the get-go is a definite bonus for those who want the convenience of buying a ute that is kitted out and ready for an off-road adventure, but it may not hold so much appeal for those who’d prefer to do their own research and source their own aftermarket gear. 

Beyond those off-road-suited extras, the Rugged X gets an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a nine-speaker JBL sound system. It also has a “black functional sports bar with recreational attachment points”, according to Toyota – it’s a sports bar that can cop a claimed 200kg on top.

Inside is an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen.

The Rugged X has the upgraded 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which produces 150kW at 3400rpm and 500Nm at 1600-2800rpm – increases of 20KW and 50Nm. It’s again paired to a six-speed auto. This is a low-stress pairing without ever being a real heart-stopper of a combo.

The 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine produces 150kW/500Nm.

Perfectly adequate in my books.

It has a part-time 4WD system, electronic traction control and a rear diff-lock.

It’s a nice leather-accented space without ever straying too far into the territory of the posh.

As I often note with Toyota off-roaders, the interior always has a comfortably familiar feel about it, especially in terms of dash layout and overall cabin functionality. Everything is easy to locate and use. Some people may find that predictability a bit boring, but I reckon it’s a good thing.

The interior is a nice leather-accented space.

There are the usual amount of storage spots for a dual-cab ute – a lidded centre console bin, glove box etc – as well as cup-holders in the centre console, pop-out cupholders near the outboard air vents, and charging points with a USB port.

Rear-seat passengers get directional air vents, a fold-down centre arm-rest with cupholders, as well as bottle holders in the doors, and map pockets in the seat-backs.

In the back, passengers get directional air vents, and a fold-down centre arm-rest with cupholders.

Though modern utes are much better than those of old, in terms of unladen ride and handling, they’re still not car-like, no matter how much we’d like to think they are.

The HiLux has generally been improved anyway but the heavier Rugged X variant is even better, benefitting from the added bulk of, among other things, a steel bullbar and heavier-duty coil springs at the front. The result? A more settled and composed attitude on the road no matter how irregular the surface becomes, whether it’s chopped-up backroad bitumen or corrugated dirt and gravel tracks.

Overall, the Rugged X offers up a comfortable driving experience: it’s quiet (for a HiLux anyway!) with subdued NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels; steering retains a predictable, sometimes floaty feel to it; the engine and auto work smoothly enough together, though the 2.8-litre could do with a bit more life about it; and the HiLux’s too-firm ride of the past has mostly been ironed out.

Note: as part of its response to Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) strife, Toyota has reworked its DPF regeneration system to, in theory at least, better prevent any problems. The system will cycle through a regeneration (in layman’s terms, burning off trapped soot in the filter) if it’s due for one and you’re on the open road and driving faster than 80km/h.

It has a claimed fuel consumption of 8.4L/100km (combined). We recorded an actual fuel consumption on test of 12.2L, but that included a lot of low-range 4WDing. 

The HiLux has an 80-litre fuel tank.

The Hilux is covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and seven years/unlimited km powertrain warranty, as long as you stick to the servicing schedule. 

Servicing is set at six months/10,000km intervals. Average cost per service is $250.