Toyota Hilux in Russia and the CIS countries occupies a leading position in sales among pickups. Recently, the demand for mid-range pickups has grown dramatically, although quite recently we could only see them in large numbers in America. Since this model is quite popular in our country, we will analyze in detail the sores and shortcomings of the 7th generation Toyota Hilux, which cars in the secondary market have.
Today we will talk about the 7th generation of Toyota Hilux, which debuted in 2004. Compared to its predecessors, the updated version has more impressive dimensions and an intelligent car access system. The following changes took place during the restyling in 2011, when the car received an updated exterior, namely an improved hood and bumper, a more stylish grille and modern headlights.
Weaknesses of Toyota Hilux Pick Up 2004-2015 release
The car is not without sores, which is especially acute with an increase in mileage, so you should carefully choose a car in the secondary market. The main weaknesses of Toyota Hilux:
- engine;
- transmission;
- chassis;
- assembly;
- climate system;
- exterior.
Let's take a closer look now:
This model began to be officially delivered to Russia only in 2011, before that, cars were delivered to the Russian market from Europe or the USA. Here we will focus on the power units of the “official” versions - these were modifications with turbines of 2.5 (144 hp) and 3.0 (171 hp). This power is clearly not enough for the car, so dynamic driving should not be dreamed of. Traction for driving around the city is enough, but if you go off-road, it becomes sad.
The motor is very “finicky” about the quality of fuel, so it’s not worth saving on this, otherwise you will have to splurge on high-pressure fuel pumps and nozzles. Also, the engine is very "gluttonous" - in winter, the consumption can be 20-25 liters. Otherwise, the turbo engine is very tenacious, malfunctions most often occur with the generator, which is associated with its low resource.
There are far fewer problems with a diesel - with the exception of noise and constant rattling, there are practically no flaws in it. The main plus is low fuel consumption.
You can buy Toyota Hilux both on the "handle" and on the machine. Both boxes are distinguished by their durability - subject to proper and regular maintenance, the service life of the automatic transmission is 300-350 thousand km., The mechanics have a slightly less work life.
Most of the problems can arise with the mechanics. First of all, the uncomfortable position of the pedals catches the eye - in order to reach the clutch, you need to stretch your leg strongly, while the brake and gas pedals are at a comfortable distance for a person with an average height. The biggest transmission problem is the low clutch life. Constant operation in harsh conditions can lead to its breakdown after 50 thousand km. run. Also, at the manual transmission, sometimes there are problems with the inclusion of 3rd gear, while the machine works flawlessly.
When buying a used car, you should check with the owner how often he turned on all-wheel drive. The fact is that the constant inclusion of the drive reduces the life of the box by about half. There may also be problems such as leakage of the transfer case and front axle seals.
Chassis
This is where the problems are the most! Owners regularly complain about such malfunctions:
- regularly pulls out the lower ball joints (according to reviews, they need to be changed every season to avoid more serious problems);
- wheel bearings often need to be replaced;
- rear suspension creak, spring lubrication required;
- if the car is not loaded, then the suspension does not absorb road bumps;
- at extremely low temperatures, the steering rack freezes on the go.
Although the car is not cheap, manufacturers have saved on finishing materials. The glove box rattles especially hard. An interesting trend is observed - the simpler the equipment, the more unpleasant creaks in the cabin can be heard.
The multimedia system is well synchronized with Apple smartphones, however, Android and USB flash cards perceive through time. The positive side is a lot of useful options, many functions can be controlled from the steering wheel.
Climate system
- the car takes a long time to warm up;
- seat heating does not work well;
- windows often fog up;
- lack of steering wheel heating even in the top configuration;
- freezing wipers.
Another of the weak points of Toyota Hilux 2004-2015. – very thin metal and weak paintwork. Iron is extremely unstable to corrosion, especially often rust appears on wheel arches, sills, door corners, joints between the windshield and the body.
Disadvantages of the 7th generation Toyota Hilux
The owners of the Japanese note the following disadvantages from the operation of the car:
- expensive original spare parts and maintenance;
- high fuel consumption in the winter season;
- uncomfortable and cramped interior (especially the rear passenger row), low seats;
- poor sound insulation;
- inconvenience when opening the fifth door;
- weak engines for off-road driving.
Conclusion.
If you are not a very fastidious driver and when choosing a pickup truck you are guided by high cross-country ability, reliability and unpretentiousness, then Toyota Hilux is one of the best options on the Russian market. Most of the above breakdowns can be avoided with timely maintenance according to the regulations.
P.S.: Dear car owners, if you have noticed frequent breakdowns of any parts, assemblies of this model, please report it in the comments below.
Weaknesses and main malfunctions of the Toyota Hilux 7 with mileage was last modified: April 26th, 2019 by Administrator
Toyota Hilux general information (Toyota Hi-Lux)
Despite the fact that the manufacturer takes all possible measures to control the quality of the cars it produces and the auto parts used, each model has components or assemblies, problems with which can only be identified during the operation of the car. As a rule, such malfunctions are caused by the poor quality of the materials used, manufacturing defects, design miscalculations, as well as a poorly debugged or dishonest car assembly process.
Also, there is a whole list of malfunctions, the occurrence of which is associated with the neglect by the car owner of the features of the operation and maintenance of the car or any of its systems. Below are the most likely malfunctions that you may encounter while owning a car of this model, the specified period of production and modification. If necessary, the description of the malfunction contains methods for correcting the problem and recommendations for preventing its reoccurrence. If the problem node was upgraded during the production process, the catalog numbers of the parts of the new sample are given.
Also, the chapter may mention information about official service companies or the availability of special service bulletins (Eng. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) - an official document issued by the manufacturer for service centers and containing information about a possible problem with a particular model and ways to eliminate it ), which will be useful in communicating with official representatives of the manufacturer when resolving disputes regarding the warranty service of your car. It should be borne in mind that the occurrence of a particular malfunction is not necessarily specific to your car and, conversely, too frequent breakdowns of the same unit or unit on your car may not be a typical malfunction of this model, but may be the result of using non-original low-quality auto parts , as well as car maintenance by specialists who do not have sufficient qualifications or experience in car repair and diagnostics.
Turbocharger whine (pre-2011 models)
When operating a car at low outdoor temperatures and storing it outside heated rooms, some car owners note the appearance of a whistle (and in some cases howl) from the engine compartment when the accelerator pedal is pressed and the engine crankshaft speed is over 1900-2000 rpm. The reason for this whistle is a decrease in the cross section of the pipe of the forced crankcase ventilation system due to its freezing. If ice enters the turbocharging system, it can cause damage to the turbocharger itself, as the blows of breaking pieces of ice cause significant damage to the compressor plates during its operation. A sign of a turbocharger failure will be a loss of traction and increased fuel consumption. Since the malfunction became widespread, TOYOTA upgraded the forced crankcase ventilation system and issued the corresponding service bulletin No. EG-0105T-1111 dated 12/22/2011 (No. EG-0051T-0612 dated 06/11/2012), according to which on pre-facelift Toyota Hilux (KUN15, KUN25, KUN26), in the event of a customer request regarding the appearance of whistling noise in the turbocharger, it is prescribed to replace the turbocharger and install a coolant bypass heater.
Brake pedal rattle (models since 2011)
Many owners of restyled models pay attention to the appearance of extraneous noise (knocking, rattling) in the front of the car when driving on small bumps or gravel roads. In addition to possible malfunctions in the front suspension, the lateral play of the brake pedal can be the cause of this noise. The reason for the backlash is the excessive length of the central bushing of the upper axle of the brake pedal, which has been installed since 2011 in order to prevent wear on the side bushings of the pedal.
Incorrect operation of the car radio
A fairly common malfunction of new cars is the incorrect operation of the audio system, which consists in spontaneous turning off and on of the system, no sound, “freezing” of the interface, etc. Most often, failures are observed when the system is in playback mode of recordings from external drives (AUX, Bluetooth) or in CD playback mode. The operability of the system is restored only when the ignition is turned on again and is of a short-term nature. Most likely, the malfunction is related to the incorrect version of the audio system software, but at the moment the malfunction is eliminated by replacing the audio system (replacement is carried out as part of the warranty service).
Knocks in the front suspension
Knocks, squeaks and thuds in the front suspension appear when driving on rough roads, overcoming artificial obstacles, etc. Over time, the knock becomes more pronounced. The most common cause of these knocks is the wear of the bushings of the front suspension anti-roll bar. It is recommended to replace the old bushings with upgraded ones (if any) or with polyurethane ones (for example, from Tochka Opory).
Creaking in the rear suspension
Over time, when driving on uneven surfaces, a strong squeak can be heard from the rear suspension. As a rule, the occurrence of a squeak is preceded by driving in rainy weather / overcoming fords / riding in sand or heavy mud. The creaking may pass a few days after the onset. The most common cause of these noises on models with leaf spring suspension is friction between the individual leaf springs when the suspension is actuated. Also, the situation is aggravated by the sticking of foreign particles on wet leaf springs. This feature of the suspension should not be attributed to a malfunction and it is recommended to reduce the interval for checking the rear suspension and periodically service the springs (wash the springs with a high-pressure water jet (when the rear suspension is not loaded) and lubricate the surface of the sheets with graphite grease). Note: in case of strong and regular squeaks in the rear suspension, the occurrence of which does not depend on weather and operating conditions, make sure that:
- there is no displacement of the spring sheets relative to each other and all the spring sheets are intact;
- anti-creak pads are installed between the sheets of springs.
Shocks at the beginning or during the movement of the car
Over time, many owners pay attention to the appearance of a single knock (thud or click) when starting the car. The same sound can be heard while the car is moving after dropping the accelerator pedal and then pressing it sharply (models with automatic transmission). On models with manual transmission, a knock is heard when you throw the clutch pedal. If the fault is ignored for a long time, severe vibration may occur. The most likely cause of this knock is the backlash of the cross of the cardan shaft due to bearing wear. The malfunction is also dangerous because for a long time it does not manifest itself in any way, except for a knock and therefore is often ignored. However, during this time there is a gradual destruction of the cross bearings and their seats. The appearance of strong vibration will already indicate the beginning of the destruction of the fasteners and joints of the cardan shaft, which will soon lead to the complete breaking off of the cardan shaft and very serious damage to the vehicle's transmission. Therefore, when the described symptoms appear, it is necessary to check the condition of the cardan shafts and their crosses. Perhaps they need to be injected, the crosses replaced, or the driveshaft replaced.
A rumble from the side of the wheels while the car is moving.
A common cause of a hum while driving is a failed wheel bearing. Also, with destroyed wheel bearings, a strong rattle can be observed from the side of the wheels, and in some cases the vehicle is pulled to the side. Due to the design of the suspension, the bearings are changed only as an assembly with the wheel hubs.
Note: To check the condition of the wheel bearing, mount the wheels in the straight direction of the vehicle, hang the wheels, and by moving the wheel as shown in the figure, check that there is no noticeable play in the wheel bearing.
Problems with 1KD-FTV (3.0L Common Rail) 2KD-FTV (2.5L Common Rail) Engines
The KD series engines were developed from the 1KZ-TE engine, which was known as a very reliable unit and did not cause much trouble to owners and mechanics. The main difference between the new engines is the Common Rail storage fuel system and more advanced elements of the toxicity reduction system. The main problems are connected with them. Particulate filter Modern engine modifications, in addition to the catalytic converter, are equipped with a particulate filter, which periodically undergoes a burn-in procedure during operation and is self-cleaning. The particulate filter burns best on the highway during long-term driving under load at a constant speed. If self-cleaning does not occur, then due to strong resistance at the outlet, the car loses traction. In this case, it is recommended to clean the filter with compressed air. If this does not help, then the filter may be damaged and need to be replaced. It should also be noted that after burning the particulate filter, an increase in the engine oil level is possible. And after the burning procedure, it is better to completely replace the engine oil. This recommendation is mandatory for trucks with a particulate filter, such as Toyota Dyna from 2010.
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), Air Supply System
The recirculation system is designed to reduce the content of Nox in the exhaust gases, which is achieved by reducing the temperature of the exhaust gases in the combustion chamber when they are partially returned to the intake. In the case of using low-quality fuel or due to wear of the fuel equipment, a lot of unburned particles remain in the exhaust gases, which are deposited in a thick layer on:
EGR valve,
flaps of the intake manifold geometry change system,
and the intake manifold, the engine stops breathing, the exhaust turns black, the thrust drops.
If traces of oil are visible in the intake system, and even more oil can be drained from the aftercooler (intercooler), then the culprit is a faulty turbocharger. Regular preventive cleaning of the above elements is recommended (every 50,000 - 60,000 km), but if the elements of the air intake system become dirty too quickly, then the cause should be sought in the fuel supply system or in the turbocharging system. Some car enthusiasts and auto mechanics practice blanking off the EGR valve by installing a stainless steel plate. In this case, one must take into account the fact that the engine stops working at the modes specified by the manufacturer, which leads to the appearance of fault codes (this is especially true for systems with an EGR valve position sensor from 08.2004).
High pressure fuel pump (TNVD)
The problematic place of any non-new diesel engine is the high pressure fuel pump (high pressure fuel pump), the resource of which directly depends on the quality of the diesel fuel used. Owners are most likely to encounter the problem of a breakdown of the injection pump when they refuel their car at random gas stations of unknown companies, which often sell low-quality fuel with a high sulfur content, which not only does not meet environmental standards, but also leads to pollution and increased wear of injection pump parts . The most common symptoms of a malfunctioning injection pump include “floating” idle speed and difficult starting of a hot engine. Also, an early replacement or repair of the high-pressure fuel pump is foreshadowed by unpredictable engine shutdowns while driving (the engine can stall both on XX and when you press the accelerator pedal). Troubleshooting is possible either by replacing the injection pump with a new one, or by restoring the old pump with the replacement of worn (broken) parts.
Operation of the low oil pressure indicator, as a result of the problem of low-quality fuel injector washers
On some vehicles (see below), the following problem was fixed - the low oil pressure indicator worked intermittently. This case was recognized by the manufacturer as a warranty, a revocable company was produced. The warranty covered the following vehicles: HiLux manufactured from 10/2006 to 04/2008, with VIN: KUN26 FZ29G# 09003162 to 09022896.
The problem was associated with the use on the conveyor of low-quality sealing washers for nozzles (nozzle seats), which were originally copper in color (copper). These washers are made of soft metal, which is crushed when the nozzles are tightened. The material was chosen to achieve better heat dissipation from the injector nozzle body in order to reduce the effect of temperature on fuel delivery. For some time, low-quality washers were supplied to the conveyor, which burned out. In this case, there was a breakthrough of gases under the valve cover, an emulsion of soot and oil clogged the oil lines. As a result, there was an "oil starvation", which led to costly repairs.
The characteristic signs of this malfunction are: strange behavior of the low oil pressure indicator, abundant black carbon deposits on the valve cover and oil receiver, inability to remove the nozzle. The correct washer should be white. This part number is 11176-30011. Uneven wear of the brake pads, souring of the brake caliper pistons and reduced service life of the brake system elements. The most common cause of reduced braking performance and service life of brake system components is failure to follow the manufacturer's recommended brake fluid change intervals. It is important to replace it at least once every two years. See the Maintenance chapter for more details. Note: For part numbers of brake repair kits, see the Consumable Parts Catalog chapter.
Take it on the road / hand it over to the mechanic
The publication contains an operating manual, detailed information on vehicle maintenance, diagnostics, repair and adjustment of engine system elements (including gasoline and diesel engine control systems, diesel engine fuel system, diesel engine turbocharging, diesel engine exhaust emissions reduction system , ignition, starting and charging), elements of mechanical (manual transmission) and automatic (automatic transmission) transmissions, transfer case (including the all-wheel drive connection system), front and rear (including the forced rear differential locking system) gearboxes, brake elements systems (including anti-lock braking system (ABS), emergency braking system (BA), traction control (TRC) and vehicle stability control (VSC)), steering, suspension, bodywork, air conditioning and ventilation systems.
Instructions are given for diagnosing 13 electronic systems: control of gasoline and diesel engines, automatic transmission, ABS, VSC, air conditioning, SRS, remote central locking, power windows, Multivision, immobilizer, cruise control and Multiplex. 434 fault codes P0, P1, P2, C0, C1, U0, B1, B2, Flash are described in detail; conditions for their occurrence and possible causes. 166 detailed wiring diagrams (102 systems) are presented for various configuration options, a description of most of the electrical equipment elements. Information for professional diagnostics and repair of electrical equipment of various vehicle systems is presented in the MotorData online diagnostic system.
Using quick clicks on interactive links, you can solve the problem faster and save time. Possible malfunctions and methods for their elimination, mating dimensions of the main parts and their permissible wear limits, recommended lubricants, working fluids and catalog numbers of consumable spare parts necessary for maintenance and the most demanded repairs, sizes of recommended tires and disks are given. The presented typical malfunctions of Hilux models and how to eliminate them will help you when operating the car.
The book will be useful for both beginners and advanced car owners, as well as car repair and diagnostic professionals. The car owner will find useful: operating instructions, maintenance (with frequency and necessary materials), malfunctions that are most typical for this car, a catalog of the most frequently requested spare parts, instructions for self-repair.
Professionals will benefit from: complex repair operations, allowable part sizes, diagnostic data and detailed electrical equipment diagrams. In addition to essential assistance in self-repair, the books of the Professional series can help you out on the road if you have to use the services of a car service that is unfamiliar or unfamiliar with the features of your car model. When giving the car to the service station, leave our book in the car, and in case of any difficulties, the mechanic will be able to use it, which will greatly speed up the repair of your car. High-quality presentation of the material allows you to reduce the time of car maintenance and make it more efficient.
Toyota HiLux is one of the most common and reliable pickup trucks in the world. In Russia, it is perhaps the rarest ...
The Toyota HiLux pickup is over forty-five. The first generation cars, which appeared in 1968, were rear-wheel drive and, in fact, cars, except perhaps with an open cargo body.
However, by the 1980s, they had grown muscle and all-wheel drive and, one might say, made a name for Toyota. At least in the USA, it was thanks to HiLux that everyone learned that Japanese cars can be not only rusty “undersize”. Despite the fact that the problem with corrosion is still familiar to the owners of these pickups, their reputation as one of the most reliable and enduring cars in the world has survived to this day.
Constructor. Toyota HiLux is not only an enviable rogue, but also an excellent base for off-road tuning
BETTER BUT LATER
In Russia, HiLux was officially introduced in 2010. However, full-scale sales began only after its restyling in 2011. Quotas were then very small, but there were no special queues either. Three variants of a pickup truck were delivered to our market. With a 2.5-liter 2KD-FTV engine and a 5-speed manual transmission, with a 3.0-liter 1KD-FTV and "mechanics", and as a top version - with a 3.0-liter and "automatic". In unofficial ways, cars from the Arab market and a little from Europe got to us. The first could well be gasoline, with 2.7-liter 2TR-FE engines, the same ones that have been put on Prado since time immemorial. Only cars with diesel engines came from Europe, including those with atmospheric, blunt, but indifferent to the quality of fuel and lubricants. Right-hand drive HiLux are extremely rare in the European part of Russia, and we will not talk about them.
In general, the price of pickups in 2010 practically does not fall below 900,000 rubles. Most, as a rule, is estimated at 1,200,000 rubles. and higher. And if you are lucky enough to find a HiLux prepared in the style of Arctic Trucks, then 2,000,000 will not seem overpriced. But the offer is small: on one of the leading sites for the sale of used cars, there are no more than a hundred of them, and almost half - with additional equipment or tuning.
Not more spacious than others. The cabin is large, but you should not flatter yourself. Back row not too loose
SCREAKS, BUT SUFFERS
Buyers of a new car can be downright disappointed with the trim. Not only are the materials frankly cheap, and the fit of some parts is far from exemplary, this economy also creaks on the go. After restyling in 2011, the interior has become more modern and quieter, but the quality and assembly are still not encouraging. At the same time, the interior is quite spacious and comfortable in its own way. Since the generation of 2005, the main problem of HiLux has gone into oblivion - the low ceiling, which made the driving position uncomfortable. Now both the first and second rows of seats can accommodate adults taller than average quite well. The main “disease” of used HiLux is not a creak in the cabin and not its tightness, but sudden failures of the audio system in particular and various indicators in general. This is more than strange, given that Toyota has always had everything in perfect order with an electrician. Nevertheless, services are often contacted to “reboot” the radio, and this procedure does not guarantee a complete “recovery”. Of the annoying, but rare little things, there are also falling door seals and sticky buttons on the steering wheel. However, you have to be completely unlucky to encounter this ...
Part-time.
Toyota HiLux has a simple drive with a plug-in front axle and a 2.62 reduction
DIFFICULT STATISTICS
Masters of official services, specialized and completely random, only shrug their shoulders when asked about typical breakdowns and obvious shortcomings of Toyota HiLux. And in two Toyota technical centers, they categorically stated that, in addition to maintenance work, nothing had been done to them for all the years of official sales of pickups. An appeal to folk wisdom on the Internet revealed that recurring malfunctions are more in the nature of whims that no one would pay attention to somewhere in Yemen or Namibia. For example, a chronically broken rear right mudguard or springs that creak without load. More serious problems can arise from frequent hard driving on very bad roads. The front wheel bearings and shock absorbers will die first (for some reason, more often the right one). If at the same time you have no choice in terms of fuel quality, then during a cold start, smoke may appear, which will progress for another five thousand five kilometers. Whitish smoke “in the cold” indicates the imminent death of the nozzles, which over time will be useless to clean and will have to be replaced. Corrosion affects three places: the bank of the main muffler, the windshield frame in the presence of even minor damage, and fasteners. Fortunately, before through corrosion, you can ride and ride. The paintwork is generally quite stable, but the chrome-plated rear bumper and false radiator grille suffer from reagents.
All inclusive. When choosing a used pickup truck, pay attention to the maximum equipment, otherwise you will be left without heated seats in the winter
OLD SCHOOL
Like all Toyota SUVs, HiLux pickups are conservative, durable and reliable in a good way. They are collected in Thailand and South Africa, we often get cars from Africa. Differences in build quality are illusory, no matter what they say on the Internet, but they are not at all in the configuration. Structurally, HiLux is a representative of the classical school of pick building. Frame, part-time drive, dependent spring rear suspension and independent spring front. A limited slip differential is installed in the rear axle, requiring the use of oil recommended by the manufacturer. The transfer case, of course, is a two-stage one with a full reduction gear of 2.62. From the point of view of reliability, all components and elements of the chassis and transmission are considered role models. It may not be possible to detect grease leaks during the entire life of the pickup truck, but if they already appear, you need to urgently go to the service. The pickup, although it looks like a condominium, does not forgive a dismissive attitude.
HiLux has very tenacious brakes, especially if you do not carry 800 kg of cargo around the city at rush hour. Under normal circumstances, discs can survive three or four pad changes, which easily go 30,000-40,000 km. Crosses and spline connections of cardan shafts can last five times longer. The picture is a bit overshadowed by a manual transmission. There are no complaints about the transmission itself, as well as the clutch. The problem is in gears flying off-road. Most often, owners complain about knocking out third and fourth gears. Since this happens exclusively on very bad roads, it can be assumed that the frame structure has some “freedom” relative to the body, but the shift mechanism just does not. That is, the transmission pulls out in the process of shifting the cab relative to the transmission attachment points. Adjusting the drive may or may not help ... Cars with automatic transmission, of course, do not suffer from this.
Spare parts for HiLux are quite expensive. OEM shock absorbers can be found for 8000 rubles. apiece, front wheel bearings with replacement - 15,000, the notorious mudguard will cost 800, the front brake disc - from 5500 for the original, pads - 4000 per pair, nozzles - from 3500 to 6000. Body parts are not very cheap either: hood - 21,000 rubles, front fender - 9000, driver's door - 20,000, rear - 19,000. And yet, buying a used HiLux pickup truck is a very good investment, because they do not quickly lose value and retain their high performance characteristics for a long time.
Owner's opinion: Alexey, Toyota HiLux 2011, 2.5 liter, manual transmission
This is not my first HiLux in the park, but the first one I bought new. All predecessors were Imported from abroad. The car is extremely reliable and simple. I use my vehicle for commercial transport, so there are no improvements or modifications. The main principle - what is not broken does not break - is observed here. If you use a pickup truck wisely and do not try to carry one and a half tons of cargo on it, Toyota will not break down at all. My cars drive steadily at 80 thousand a year, now the mileage has exceeded 200 thousand. HiLux still starts in any frost, consumes its 11 liters of diesel fuel per hundred and requires only scheduled maintenance during maintenance. I don’t consider such trifles as a broken muffler mount or a burnt-out headlight lamp as a breakdown.
Introduced in 2005, the new generation of Hilux received many significant technical changes. There is not much competition in the class of off-road pickups. The requirements of potential customers for pickups are quite clear. They count on a long and trouble-free operation even with the full use of the vehicle's capabilities, which actually happens quite often. In addition, the owners rely on good off-road ability and the possibility of tuning.
So? Is the new Hilux an exclusive "vat truck" or a real practical SUV? Is he ready to meet all requirements? The motto of Toyota is uniting reliability and comfort. Therefore, the pickup did not receive any dynamic engines or sophisticated equipment. However, this approach proved to be a losing one. Competitors offered much more advanced technologies. As a result, Toyota had to make a number of changes. First of all, increase the engine power and increase the level of equipment.
The new seventh generation Hilux has been built on an improved frame. Toyota assured that thanks to her, the rigidity of the body increased significantly. Which in turn affected the stability of the body and reduced the noise level in the cabin. The cross-sectional area of the side spar has increased by 75%: the height has increased by 2 cm and the width by 3 cm. Engineers have also worked on reducing the number of welds.
The new body has grown significantly, has become more practical and streamlined. Significant updates also touched the chassis: rack and pinion steering appeared.
Engines
The engine went to the pickup truck from its predecessor without changes. This is a turbodiesel with a modern Common Rail injection system. But its power is not impressive - only 102 hp. Even in 2005, this was very little.
2.5-liter turbodiesel with 102 hp? Sounds unattractive! Drivers who prefer dynamics and spend a lot of time traveling around the highway should avoid this version. Up to 100 km / h, such a pickup truck accelerates in endless 18 seconds! The dynamics of later modifications with 120 and 144 hp engine versions are much nicer.
But the 2.5-liter turbodiesel has its advantages. For example, it is very economical. On the highway, it is quite possible to achieve a result of 6.5-7 l / 100 km. The motor also pleases with its elasticity. Gears can be easily engaged, even if the speed has fallen below 1500 rpm. But for more dynamic movements, it is better to use the version with a 3-liter turbodiesel. This modification was originally equipped with a 4-speed automatic, and later 5.
However, many pickup owners are more interested in reliability. In this regard, Toyota engines have shown themselves quite well, but not perfect. Many units (mostly 120-horsepower versions with an intercooler) were equipped with a defective turbocharger. Some of them were replaced as part of a warranty repair. In the event of a turbocharger failure, it is much cheaper to repair it. The cost of a new turbocharger from official dealers exceeds 100,000 rubles. Fortunately, injectors do not cause many problems. But, quite often, the clutch wears out after 50,000 km.
Transmission
The hard-wired front axle is one of the main drawbacks of the car. The 4WD system cannot be used on paved roads such as asphalt. The VSC electronic assistance system was installed only in expensive trim levels. Hilux lovers can take advantage of the offer of the German brand Nestle, which for 3400 Euro offers a kit for installing a central differential with full locking.
A few transmission problems are found in vehicles whose owners have abused all-wheel drive on hard surfaces, such as asphalt. An automatically connected clutch is a privilege of more expensive modifications.
Chassis
In terms of handling and stability, the Hilux is reasonably tolerable, but in terms of comfort it lags a little behind the competition. One of the conditional disadvantages of the chassis is the creaking of the rear springs. Stabilizer struts and tie rods are quite hardy. Thanks to the large suspension travel, the pickup feels confident enough on the road.
Interior and equipment
Inside Hilux can be different. It is enough to list the possible types of upholstery. The basic version is wrapped in vinyl. In more expensive trim levels, the materials are slightly better. And in the SR5 version, the seats are velor. Top variations boast leather. The same is true with equipment. Basic versions have 2 airbags and ABS. There can be 6 pillows in total. There are also instances without comfortable additions.
However, decently equipped specimens with full power accessories and air conditioning are more common. Climate control appeared only after restyling in 2008. The number of seats depends on the cab. Some of them have a wide seat next to the driver's seat, designed for two people. But together on such a seat it will be crowded. In an enlarged cabin, you shouldn’t count on the rear seats much: it’s cramped and uncomfortable there. In a two-row cab, the rear sofa is already quite comfortable.
Cargo transportation
In terms of cargo capacity, Hilux belongs to the middle class. In the back, it is able to carry up to 800 kg of cargo and pull a trailer weighing up to 2250 kg. Actually, it's not very much. The rear-wheel drive modification 2WD takes on board even less. But you should not count on it, as it is poorly adapted to our conditions.
Typical problems and malfunctions
The body has one unpleasant drawback - low corrosion resistance. The centers of corrosion are found around windows, on doors and a cover of a cargo compartment. For frequent off-road trips, the frame should also be additionally protected against corrosion.
Among other malfunctions, one can note problems with the generator (from 13,000 rubles), rubbing of the pipes of the air conditioning system, wear of the bearings and crosses of the cardan shaft. Oil leaks through the front axle seals were sometimes encountered already after 20-30 thousand km. Over time, the transfer case also begins to leak.
Conclusion
Toyota lived up to expectations. Hilux is a solid car. But it is better not to consider it as an alternative to an SUV or crossover. This is a real pickup truck.
