We test drive the Toyota Hilux
It has an impressive interior and is wonderful on the road.
Vehicle: Toyota Hilux
Made possible by: Pat Hinde Toyota, Springs
Test drive done by: Annalie Anticevich
With South African rally driver Gniel de Villiers participating in the Dakar Rally in South America, I had the opportunity to test drive a bakkie similar to the one he uses in the rally.
I took a Toyota Hilux D-4D automatic 4×4 bakkie, one of the double cab bakkies in the Hilux garage, for a spin in the city.
I was impressed by the smooth driving experience.
What impressed me the most is that, being relatively short, I had no prolem reaching the pedals because of the comfortable bucket seats.
With its leather interior and an impressive dashboard, this bakkie feels and looks like a luxury car.
The only indication that you are in a bakkie is that your view of the traffic is considerably higher than in a regular car.
I was accompanied by Janus Sassenberg, one of the salesmen at Pat Hince Toyota.
He said people buy this bakkie for its toughness and reliability.
I especially enjoyed the automatic driving experience. Sassenberg explained that having this luxury will cost a Hilux owner about R10 000 extra.
He also explained that this specific Hilux was different from Gniel’s because his bakkie was custom-made for the Dakar.
The Dakar bakkie has a stronger chassis, bigger petrol tank than the standard 80 litre capacity and has advanced 4×4 capabilities.
He explained that the Hilux owner has many options to choose from regarding the appearance of his bakkie.
When buying a D-4D you will get your model with a nudge bar and chrome rear bar.
There are several extra options including a roll bar, and tonneau cover.
Both the double cab and single cab bakkies have nine options to choose from and the one-and-a-half cab bakkies have three model options.
The petrol bakkies are available in two litre and V6 four litre models and in diesel in 2.5 litre and 3 litre models.
Sassenberg said most of the double cab bakkies like the one I tested are bought by private clients, of which 90% are men.
The one-and-a-half and single cab bakkies are mostly used by companies, mines and sometimes even underground in the mines.
He said, according to feedback from his customers, the diesel bakkies give 10km/litre and the petrol models between 8 and 9 km/litre.
The Hiluxes come in eight colours, but Sassenberg says that white and silver are the most popular colours.
The 3.0 D-4D costs R519 500.
