Here Is The 50-Year Progressive Evolution Of Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux that we know today did not just become that overnight. It is a state-of-art work that included sweat, skill, and talent that has been evolving for over 50 years. This piece takes you down the memory lane of where the Toyota Hilux was born.

1968-1972

The idea was born here. Call them the first-generation Hilux. The first Toyota Hilux was manufactured by Hino Motors, Ltd with the term “Hilux” being an acronym of “high” and “luxury”. It had an engine capacity of 1.5 liters with a four-speed manual transmission. It accommodates up to three occupants with a payload of 1,000 kilograms. The engine was upgraded from 1.5-liter capacity to 1.6 in 1971.

1972 – 1978

In May 1972, a new Hilux was born. It was more developed than the first-generation and had significant design updates. The safety features were more enhanced as compared to the 1.5-liter come 1.6-liter capacity one. The new safety features included servo-assisted dual brake cylinders as well s a load-sensing brake proportioning valves. It also came with a 2.0-liter 105 hp engine mated to a three-speed automatic. This was the second generation.

1978-1983

Here is where comfort was born. Those who understand the language of cars will tell you in most cases, it is about the interior space that gives you a chance to be in contact with the world outside. The third-generation Hilux, born in September 1978, was a Super Deluxe model that came with a larger interior space. Three years later, a Hilux double cab with two rows of seats hit the road.

1983-1988

The fourth-generation roared into life in November 1983. It was well enhanced with a range of engine options that made it a class of its own compared to the previous models. The engines ranged from 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter gasoline.

The designs took a different path with 2.2-liter and 2.4-liter diesel engines. To amplify it further, it came as a four-wheel-drive powered by either gasoline for 2.0-liter engine and diesel for the 2.4-liter engine. The external appearance of the fourth-generation models was characterized by their blister fenders in the front and rear.

1988-1997

This period was characterized by the release of the fifth generation. It is the second longest-running generation of Hilux model whose body variations were reduced to one featuring pressed doors with integrated window sashes.

“A major difference between rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and 4-wheel-drive (4WD) models was the wheel arch flares: RWD models had fenders without flares, whereas 4WD models came with sturdy-looking over fenders with flares,” says Toyota on their website.

For this reason, the width of 4WD models became 1,690 mm, or 40 mm wider than that of RWD models. The design of the dashboard and other interior equipment became even more sedan-like than before.

1997-2004

Welcome to the sixth-generation Hilux launched in September 1997. This model was well crafted and enhanced to fit people’s personalities as well as maintaining that class of beauty. It came with two types of bodies designed both for business and for personal use in either two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive.

The tow-wheel-drive came with equipment and devices suitable for a multi-purpose vehicle, featuring extended cabin height and length as well as improved quietness. The extra cab model, introduced in November with the body width extended by 100 mm, was an open-deck multi-purpose vehicle featuring an adequately long cargo bed while adding two auxiliary seats to the rear of the cabin.

2004-2015

This period marked the seventh-generation. It was launched in August 2004 and went down in history as the first Hilux model to be produced outside Japan with its bulk being produced in Thailand, South Africa, and Argentina.

Sold in more than 140 countries, the seventh-generation Hilux retained some features such as the rugged beauty from the sixth-generation model while offering the customer of the 21^st Century a high level of comfortability, durability coupled with lots of interior space, improved comfort, and relaxation.

This generation saw Toyota developing five new models on a single platform, that is three pickup truck models (Hilux), one minivan model (Innova), and one sports utility model (Fortuner).

2015 – Now

This is the eighth-generation Hilux model launched in May 2015. It is defined with improved safety and comfort.

The vehicle has an enhanced off-road performance brought about by the upgraded leaf spring suspension and shock absorbers.

The eighth-generation Hilux design was not only tougher but also reduced stress as much as possible. Above and beyond conventional ideas of toughness, it boasted ride comfort that made long, tough drives less grueling, a quiet cabin that allowed communication in any conditions, and enhanced cruising range thanks to improved fuel efficiency. It could also be relied on to provide the legendary ruggedness, performance, responsiveness, and safety expected from the model. (source: Toyota)

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