The Toyota Hilux is more than just a bakkie, it is a cultural institution on African roads.
For years, the outgoing eighth-generation model and its legendary GD-6 engine line-up have ruled the sales charts with an iron fist.
However, with the official unveiling of the highly anticipated ninth-generation Hilux, a critical question arises for current owners, is the new model a worthy upgrade over the tried-and-tested GD-6?
Following an initial drive of the flagship workhorses, the short answer is yes.
While it retains the rugged DNA that defined its predecessor, the ninth-generation Hilux has evolved into a far smarter, sharper and more refined machine.
While the outgoing GD-6 generation leaned heavily into traditional, utilitarian styling, the new Hilux completely rips up that playbook.
Keep Reading
- Chombo’s trial date moved
- An unusual lifesaver for sex workers
- Zimbo nabbed in SA driving a stolen truck
- 2 car smugglers in the dock
Designed under Toyota’s new cyber-sumo philosophy, the new bakkie boasts an aggressive, interlocking hexagonal grille and a deeply sculpted front bumper, complemented by swept-back LED headlamps and muscular black cladding that command a massive road presence reminiscent of the larger American Toyota Tundra.
At the rear, the updates are clean yet bold, featuring a revised tailgate structure with prominent Toyota block lettering stamped across the metal, flanked by redesigned, sharper LED taillights.
Under the hood, fans of the current model will find a familiar friend as the 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine remains the beating heart of the upper-tier range, though it is no longer just a standard GD-6 powertrain.
Toyota has introduced 48V Mild-Hybrid (MHEV) technology across the 2.8-litre automatic line-up to act as a performance enhancer, providing a smoother stop/start experience in traffic and assisting the engine during acceleration to bridge the gap between raw commercial power and modern efficiency.
Fuel economy has always been a strong selling point for the GD-6, but because the rising cost of fuel demands more, the integration of this 48V mild-hybrid system promises a 5% improvement in fuel efficiency over the traditional, unassisted 2.8 GD-6 engine.
For long-distance haulers and daily commuters, this marginal gain will translate to noticeable savings at the pump over time.
Perhaps the most dramatic contrast between the old GD-6 and the new model lies in the driving dynamics, especially since the outgoing Hilux is often critiqued for its heavy, slightly agricultural hydraulic steering and the notorious rear-end bounce when driving unladen.
Toyota has systematically addressed these flaws by introducing a heavily revised electric power steering (EPS) system that feels light, precise and effortlessly modern around tight corners.
Furthermore, retuned suspension bushes and optimised spring rates have drastically improved ride damping, mitigating the classic bakkie bounce and delivering an SUV-like ride quality.
Stepping inside the cabin reveals where the new Hilux truly leaves the old GD-6 in the dust, shifting from a predecessor that prioritised basic functionality with an integrated dashboard to an incoming generation that embraces a dual-display cockpit.
A large, floating central touchscreen handling wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto takes centre stage, paired with a fully digital instrument cluster for the driver.
Ergonomics are vastly superior and the inclusion of Toyota Connect services elevates cabin connectivity.
Safety also receives a massive generational leap via Toyota Safety Sense 3, which introduces pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, safe exit assist and a 360-degree panoramic view monitor, features that make navigating tight off-road trails or urban parking spaces seamless.
The addition of advanced tech, hybrid component, and premium safety features means buyers should anticipate a price premium over the current GD-6 inventory.
Ultimately, if you value pure, mechanical simplicity and your current GD-6 is strictly a workhorse, the outgoing model remains a formidable tool.
However, if you use your bakkie as a lifestyle vehicle, a family commuter, or a long-distance tourer, the leap in technology, steering refinement, fuel efficiency and safety makes the ninth-generation Toyota Hilux an incredibly compelling upgrade.
Toyota has successfully blended its legendary quality, durability and reliability with modern sophistication, officially raising the benchmark for the segment.