New Hilux vs Old Hilux - An Expert's Opinion on What's Changed

There's a new Hilux .

We all know that .

But how has it changed compared to the outgoing model to chat about this ?

I'm here with Gerard Kret who owns the Good Year four by Four Academy at Klipp Cop .

And I don't think there are many people on earth who know the Toyota Hilux as well as her .

So let's get into it .

What do you think of the new Hilux ?

It's a total new Hilux .

It's a new engine , it's a new drive system , lots of things change .

So we still busy getting our feet with it .

So , uh it's totally new .

Ok .

So the biggest changes , I mean , obviously let's start with the engine .

We've gone from a three liter to a 2.8 in the new one .

How do you feel that the engine has changed in its characteristics in going down in displacement ?

Just on feeling it's a lot better , um much more power , um smooth and with a new six speed gearbox just gives you a much more space to work with .

Uh and it's better fuel economy .

That is , that is quite important as well .

But when it comes to reliability now , um do you think the New Helix is gonna be able to keep that reputation up ?

I think so .

Um , I'm , I'm trust so , but it still has to prove itself .

But , I mean , looking on the history , it's kind of logic .

It's gonna be like that .

Yeah .

I mean , you said something to me earlier .

It's boring .

But bulletproof , boring , but bulletproof .

That's always been the story of highlights , hasn't it ?

So , do you , do you find the new looks boring or how do you find ?

I still have to get used to that one .

Me too .

I think especially the chin .

It seems to have a weird chin .

It work very well .

The bumper .

Yeah , it works excellent .

And you go through mud , it throws away .

It's like a scoop .

It , there's , there's a reason behind it and it also make a better approach angle .

Ok .

That , that explains it .

It still has a bit of an odd look , but at least it's functional when it comes to ride quality .

Uh , you've spent a lot of time many , many kilometers in the old highlights , some kilometers in a new one .

Do you , do you feel like has managed to improve it ?

Absolutely .

The thing that stands out is the quietness of the cap , amazing quiet and uh the feel on the road we had it on some quite tough roads and it's just very stable , very controllable .

Yes , there's , it's , it's quite better than the old one towing capacity .

Has that gone up ?

It's gone up by a huge margin .

The old one was a bit of a joke .

Um , I mean , it was such a capable vehicle but because of a legal paper , we were not allowed to tow .

The new one I think is just in line and just open up so much more opportunities for us with our horse boxes , boats and trailers and things like that .

Yes .

When it comes to sort of earning your , your trust in a vehicle , um , the , the old Hilus seem to do that very well .

Where does that trust come from ?

How did it earn that trust ?

Many miles alone in Africa ?

Way out in the outback ?

And I , I , I , I have to say a good company that backs you up as well .

Uh , that's the two things go together in terms of four by four capability .

It , it's very , the same , the little bit of experience that I've got .

It's very , the same .

I , I can't say at this stage that the new one is real better than the old one .

It's got a lot of new functions that the old one don't have , but just by driving , it's very the same , the downhill assist and those kind of things was not in the old ones .

We use our feet with brakes and things like that .

The old fashioned way .

Now , I quite like pushing a button and not having to worry about everything that suits me .

And that's the new market .

That's , that's where this one is catching up now .

Yeah .

Yeah .

Uh , a huge improvement for me is the interior .

It's really stepped up a long way .

I must say .

I think , um , looking at all the new models on the market , it's one of the most beautiful ones inside and so functional .

Very , very functional and very practical .

Gera .

Thanks very much .

Thanks for your , your knowledge and your expertise .

Thanks for sharing that with us .

A man who has spent probably millions of kilometers inside of a Toyota Hilux .

No one better to give their opinion on the new one .

But as you said , it's going to have to earn our trust and earn that Hilux badge .