Used Toyota Hilux for sale: everything you need to know
The Toyota Hilux is a world-famous pickup truck that has been sold in the UK since the 1970s. These days, it is best known as a leading double-cab pick-up – offering roomy and flexible seating for up to five people, along with a practical, load-hauling rear deck.
The Toyota Hilux is aimed primarily at fleet operators or owner-operators looking to run the vehicle through their business. There are significant tax advantages in doing so, which explains the popularity of the Toyota Hilux – and also why Toyota offers such a huge range of options and accessories to cater for such a broad customer base. There really is something for everyone, including a GR Sport performance version for 2022.
Rivals to the Toyota Hilux include the rugged Isuzu D-MAX, the popular Nissan Navara and of course, the Ford Ranger.
Should you buy a Toyota Hilux?
The number of competitors in the UK’s double-cab pick-up sector has dwindled in recent years, but one model remains in rude health: the Toyota Hilux. It is, as one of its trim-level names suggests, an icon, with an enviable reputation for reliability and sheer unbreakability.
Basic grades are offered in single cab and extra cab guises, but by far the most popular is the double cab. This enjoys a flat rate of company car tax for those running it through their business, and it also allows the VAT to be reclaimed. It’s easy to see why so many choose a Toyota Hilux instead of a large SUV – and why Toyota is offering so many upmarket grades of trim!
Hybrid engine tech isn’t currently a feature of the pick-up sector, and it will be a while before electric power takes over. These are heavy machines that need to haul large loads and also, for tax purposes, be able to carry at least a tonne in their rear decks.
This is why two beefy diesel engines feature in the Toyota Hilux engine line-up. They offer serious pulling power at super-low engine revs that, in combination with switchable four-wheel drive, makes easy work of steep inclines. The double cab can also wade through 700mm of water, and has a class-leading ground clearance of 310mm.
The comprehensive standard spec of the core Icon grade is generous, but we like the super-stylish Invincible and new GR Sport versions. These are both guaranteed head-turners, particularly the GR Sport, which is designed to take on machines such as the Ford Ranger Raptor.
If you need the ultimate off-road Hilux, Toyota has you covered with the really exclusive, range-topping Invincible AT35, co-developed with Arctic Trucks. It’s the sort of machine Jeremy Clarkson would take back to the North Pole, should he ever wish to retrace his steps. However, it does cost more than twice as much as the standard double cab.
You can’t go wrong with a Toyota Hilux. If you’re looking to buy or lease a really rugged and reliable double cab pick-up, one that will shrug off anything working life can throw at it and still come back for more, look no further.
With the help of beneficial rates of company car taxation for business users, commercial on-the-road prices are surprisingly tempting, and the Toyota Hilux has a car-like level of standard equipment to ensure you don’t feel short-changed in terms of comfort.
It’s a core model in the marketplace, and rightly so. Toyota has constantly evolved the Toyota Hilux to ensure it remains a front-runner in the double cab pick-up sector, and it’s definitely a vehicle you’ll want to have on your shortlist.
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What’s the best used Toyota Hilux model to buy?
With two engines to choose from, we'd opt for the more powerful 2.8-litre model, as it gives you much more usable performance than the 2.4, which can feel a bit slow and laboured in a fully loaded truck. The 2.8 is faster to accelerate with the six-speed automatic, so we'd recommend that over the manual.
As far as the trim level goes, it depends how you'll be using the truck. The two entry-level trims – Active and Icon – fulfil most commercial needs very well, but aren't available with the 2.8-itre engine. For that reason, we'd recommend the Invincible trim, which should give you all the niceties you need without driving the price up too far.
Used Toyota Hilux fuel economy and performance
Toyota Hilux 2.4 D-4D diesel: The most affordable engine in the Toyota Hilux is a 2.4-litre D-4D turbodiesel. It produces 150PS, plus a useful 400Nm of torque from just 1,600rpm. Zero to 62mph takes 13.2 seconds and it can average up to 29.1mpg with the six-speed manual gearbox, or 30.1mpg with the six-speed automatic.
Toyota Hilux 2.8 D-4D diesel: The larger 2.8-litre D-4D pushes power up to 204PS – and torque increases significantly as well, to 500Nm with the six-speed auto (although only 420Nm with the manual). The 0-62mph dash takes 10.1 seconds and the manual can average a decent 33.2mpg, although this drops to 30.0mpg in the auto.
What used Toyota Hilux trims levels are available?
The popularity of the Toyota Hilux means it is offered in a lead-in grade for the price-conscious, a well-equipped core model, and a growing array of high-spec versions at the top end.
The Toyota Hilux Active is the building-site-friendly entry-grade Toyota Hilux. It’s the only one offered in single cab and extra cab formats, alongside the more familiar four-door double cab. It has important features such as air-con and a radio, but only the double cab has carpet on the floor; the other two have hose-clean vinyl.
The Toyota Hilux Icon is the effective entry-level Toyota Hilux for most small businesses. It is more comfortable and upmarket, with alloy wheels, plush upholstery and a touchscreen infotainment system. Like the Active, it’s only available with a single 2.4-litre D-4D diesel engine option – this time with an automatic gearbox as a cost-option.
The Toyota Hilux Invincible is a more stylish model that also adds more standard equipment. It offers the choice of a larger, more powerful 2.8-litre D-4D turbodiesel engine alongside the regular 2.4-litre, now with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.
The Toyota Hilux Invincible X is the most well-equipped Toyota Hilux on sale, with an array of bespoke features outside and in. It only comes with the 2.8-litre D-4D engine, either in manual or automatic guise.
The Toyota Hilux GR Sport is a new addition to the range, aiming to capitalise on Toyota’s success in off-road rally-racing. It gets a distinctive, sporty look all of its own, plus sports-tuned suspension. It only comes with the 2.8-litre diesel engine and an automatic gearbox.
The Toyota Hilux Invincible X AT35 is a rugged and specialised machine for extreme off-roading. It looks like the Hilux Jeremy Clarkson took to the North Pole, and is easily the most expensive Toyota Hilux on sale. Again, it’s only available with the 2.8-litre engine and automatic ’box.
Toyota Hilux dimensions and load bay size
The Toyota Hilux’s exterior dimensions are:
The Toyota Hilux Double Cab’s load bay dimensions are:
Length: 1525mm
Width: 1540mm
Height: 480mm
Used Toyota Hilux road tax
The Toyota Hilux is classed as a commerical vehicle, rather than a car. This means it pays tax differently, and attracts a flat rate of £320/year.
How much is it to insure a Toyota Hilux?
The Toyota Hilux will save you a fortune in business car tax, but some of this will need to be spent on insurance; it’s potentially quite expensive to insure. Official insurance group ratings start from 41 and stretch to 45 (out of 50), with the larger engine and more luxurious model grades having higher insurance groups than entry-level models. By way of comparison, insurance for the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports estate car starts from just group 14.
Read our full Toyota Hilux review
