15Jan
The 2023 Toyota Hilux is a powerful, reliable, and versatile midsize pickup truck designed to take on any challenge. In production since 1968 and currently sold in more than 190 countries, the beloved Toyota truck has had ample time and a wide reach to earn an unbreakable reputation for reliability, which explains the truck’s popularity in a country like Nigeria. It’s very common to hear owners speak glowingly about the Hilux’s dependability, off-road capabilities, and tendency to not need major repairs for thousands of miles.
Admittedly, Australia is the Toyota Hilux’s dearest darling, where it is not only the best-selling truck but also the bestselling vehicle for the 2022 model year. Similarly, the Hilux is a favorite pickup truck in Nigeria. It’s like a staple in the convoy of every MVP, from politicians to religious leaders to business tycoons to celebrities and the rest of the ‘neck-pressers.’ Though not sold in countries like the USA where the Tacoma and Tundra hold sway, Hilux enjoys a cult-like following in Nigeria partly due to its ease of maintenance.
In fact, Nigerian pickup shoppers prefer Hilux over Tacoma and Tundra. The Hilux is backed by Toyota's reputation for quality and reliability, making it an excellent choice for anyone in the market for a reliable and versatile pickup truck. Whether you need a vehicle for hauling stuff, towing cargo, or consistent off-road driving, the Hilux has got you covered. Let’s take a closer look at the key features of the 2023 Toyota Hilux and evaluate its performance, comfort, safety, and value.
2023 Toyota Hilux Performance
The 2023 Toyota Hilux gets propulsion from a range of powerful engines that deliver impressive performance and fuel efficiency. The standard engine is a 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 204 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The 2023 Hilux mates this engine to a six-speed automatic transmission and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 10 seconds.
The new Hilux also offers a choice of two petrol engines, including a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 164 horsepower and a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 175 horsepower at 5,200 rpm, both of which got married to a six-speed automatic transmission to propel the truck to a top speed of 115 mph. The most powerful Hilux is definitely the GR Sport model.
When you pop open the hood of the Toyota Hilux GR Sport, you’d find the same 2.8-liter turbo-diesel mill that Hilux fans are already familiar with, only this time it uses what the company described as a “revised turbo-supercharging and fuel-injection control.” The result? A 10% gain over the regular diesel engine in both torque and horsepower, each rated at 222 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. In other words, the Toyota Hilux GR Sport is the most powerful Hilux you can buy today.
2023 Toyota Hilux Fuel Economy
In terms of fuel efficiency, the 2023 Toyota Hilux performs well, with the diesel engine offering an impressive fuel economy of up to 7.1 liters per 100 kilometers. The petrol engines are also relatively fuel-efficient, with the 2.7-liter engine offering up to 11.1 liters per 100 kilometers and the V6 engine offering up to 12.2 liters per 100 kilometers.
You now understand why MVPs trust the Hilux for those frequent long-distance trips. Not only is it less likely to break down en route but it can very well cover many inter-state distances within Nigeria on a full tank.
2023 Toyota Hilux Interior And Comfort
The 2023 Hilux’s interior did not receive significant revisions from the 2022 model, but Hilux fans will very much appreciate the recent inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. They weren’t available with the previous year's Hilux. Also, the new 2023 Hilux sports a new infotainment system as well as an enhanced digital instrument cluster.
The iOS and Android integration is rather long overdue on the Hilux, so we’re not exactly surprised to see them offered as standard equipment across Hilux trim levels. Speaking of trims, the 2023 Toyota Hilux has a whopping 23 trims, comprising eight trims for the single-cab models and fourteen trims for the double-cab.
The interior is spacious, comfortable, and clearly optimized to promote a smooth and enjoyable driving experience. The seats are comfortable and supportive, made of high-quality materials, with available new upholstery. The cabin is well-insulated from road noise and vibrations. The Hilux also offers a range of advanced features, including a touchscreen infotainment system, climate control, and a premium audio system.
2023 Toyota Hilux Safety
Safety is a top priority for Toyota, and the 2023 Hilux is no exception. The truck features a range of advanced safety features, including a pre-collision warning system, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. The Hilux also comes standard with a range of airbags, including driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags, and curtain airbags.
2023 Toyota Hilux Off-Road Capability
What’s a truck without a readiness to go off-road? The 2023 Toyota Hilux got built to handle any terrain, thanks to its rugged construction and advanced off-road features.
The vehicle features a high ground clearance of 216 mm (coupled with a 3,500-lb braked and 750-lb unbraked towing capacity), a four-wheel drive system, and a range of off-road driving modes that allow you to customize the vehicle's performance to suit your needs. The Hilux also features a locking rear differential and a crawl control system that helps maintain traction on steep or slippery terrain.
2023 Toyota Hilux Price In Nigeria
According to SellatEase, the new Hilux, specifically the V6 Adventure model, cost between ₦41 million to ₦44.3 million. Apparently, the price point is partly why the sight of the beloved pickup heralds the presence of some important figure, or at least, aides to an important office.
As for us, our concern is that prohibitive prices like this do not help the pickup culture in this part of the world, even though Nigeria, of all places, should be among countries that prize pickups over sedans and sport-utilities. Our roads need pickup trucks the most, and so does our social and work culture.
For those who can afford it, though, the 2023 Toyota Hilux offers excellent value for money, with a range of features and capabilities unmatched by other pickup trucks in its class. The vehicle is built to last and offers exceptional reliability, making it a wise investment for anyone looking for a dependable and versatile vehicle. Additionally, the Hilux is backed by Toyota's reputation for quality and reliability, which inadvertently promotes the truck’s resale value.
Final Word On The 2023 Toyota Hilux
At the forefront of the new Hilux’s charm is its range of powerful engines, including a 2.8-liter diesel engine, a 2.7-liter petrol engine, and a 4.0-liter V6 petrol engine. Over the years, Toyota has designed this truck to handle any terrain, thanks to its rugged construction, four-wheel drive system, and advanced off-road features.
It also offers a spacious and comfortable interior, with a range of modern equipment like a touchscreen infotainment system, climate control, and a premium audio system. Overall, the 2023 Toyota Hilux is a versatile and capable pickup truck with a range of features and capabilities ideal for drivers who need a vehicle that can handle any challenge. From its powerful engines and advanced safety features to its comfortable and spacious interior, the Hilux is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and capable pickup truck.
Yes, the money to buy this truck brand-new can probably buy you a nice house somewhere that isn’t Lagos, but the Hilux is worth waiting for several years down the road when you can buy it cheaper on the used car market. But if money isn’t a problem (as we wholeheartedly hope it isn’t), the 2023 Toyota Hilux is a smart buy for those looking for a robust, well-mannered, and comfortable pickup truck.
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