How is the top-of-the-range pickup that was transformed to enhance its comfort?

The long road of Hiluxforged based on robustness and reliability has made it a true phenomenon.

The achievements are many: it is the truck local market leader since 2006has been the best-selling vehicle in the country on four occasions, is currently the most produced and exported (23 markets) and is the number one medium pickup in Latin America, making a strong presence in Brazil where it managed to unseat the historic Chevrolet S10.

Despite its vast collection of titles, for the first time in a long time its reign as Argentina’s number one selling pickup is in danger. With just a few weeks left until the end of the year, there is a minimal difference (300 units) to the Volkswagen Amarokits main contender.

Whatever happens, this is not a symptom of a crisis by any means. Demand continues to be very high and the delivery of units to dealerships does not drop below six months.

The main cause of this “problem” is that the 80% of its production is exported. And thanks to that, to that compensation of the trade balance, Toyota is the brand that more models import and sell in our market.

But the competition does not give up. The arrival of new pickups or renewals of existing models forces Toyota to update and that is what it did with its top-of-the-range version SRXreleased a week ago.

The first thing to say is that due to equipment and level of technology, the SRX version honors the name “Hilux”which merges the English words “high” and “luxury.”

However, what prevails in this twist are some of the mechanical and structural solutions that debuted a few months ago in the GR-Sport sports version, although in this SRX with a configuration aimed at enhance your driving comfort.

The new Hilux SRX was designed exclusively to meet the demand of Hilux customers in Argentina and Latin America. The engineers at the Zárate plant played a key role in the development of this new platform, which was tested on the same roads where customers use it.

Its platform presents a new architecture with wider trails, 140 mm more on the front axle and 155 mm on the rear axle and with extended suspension arms. But not only that, it takes new twin-tube shock absorbers of 35 mm diameter that are now located by outside the chassis.

Added to this, for the first time in the Hilux, is a tubular stabilizer bar on the rear axle, which contributes to reducing the roll angle and better support when cornering.

This solution is the same one that was applied to the GR-Sport and, although it has a specific set-up, it completely changed the idea of ​​how a Hilux would behave.

At the same time, this reconfiguration of the chassis allowed an increase in ground clearance by 20 mm and an increase in the angle of attack by 1°, which further enhances its performance on dirt roads and other challenging terrain.

15” rear brake discs are also incorporated, while the front discs increase their diameter by one inch.

All these changes, especially the widening of trails, forced aesthetic modifications to the exterior, which give it an even more solid appearance.

New enlarged overfenders were added and a body-colored rear aerodynamic bar was added that helps reduce wind turbulence, decrease vibrations and contribute to fuel economy savings.

This SRX version maintains the engine 2.8 liters and 204 hp of power and delivers a torque of 500 Nm at 2,800 rpm. It is associated with a 6-speed automatic transmission, both in the 4×2 and 4×4 versions. The latter also has a rear differential lock and hill descent control, as in the entire range with Hilux 4X4 traction.

We were able to verify all these improvements more than anything in an urban environment, where the Hilux – despite its 4×4 status – was criticized for conveying its robustness in daily driving.

The new SRX is much friendlier for those who choose it for every day. Bridging the gap, its ride comfort is now a little closer to that of a SW4.

The most important fact is that in the cabin you no longer feel those typical jumps that made your passengers uncomfortable. Nor accentuated inclinations of the body when braking or turning.

The comfort on board is also enhanced with the added technology and comfort, highlighting the driving assistance systems and the JBL premium sound system, among the most notable.

• Hilux SRX 4×4: $ 37.807.000

• Largo: 5.325 mm
• Ancho: 2.020 mm
• Alto: 1.830 mm
• Wheelbase: 3,085 mm
• Minimum clearance: 247 mm
• Weight: 2,140 kg
• Fuel tank: 80 liters
• Motor: Turbodiesel, 2.8L
• Power: 204 HP (3,000-3,400)
• Torque: 500 Nm (1.600-2.800)
• Traction: 4×4 with reducer
• Transmission: Automatic, 6 speeds
• Maximum speed: 195 km/h
• Accel. 0-100 km/h: 10.5 seconds
• Average consumption: 8.9L/100 km

• Front frontal airbags (2)
• Front side airbags (2)
• Curtain airbags (2)
• Driver knee airbag
• Stability and traction control
• adaptive cruise control
• Involuntary lane change warning
• Frontal pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking
• Descent assistant
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 9-inch touch screen with USB and Bluetooth
• Wireless connection Android Auto and Apple Car Play
• 360° view camera
• Front seats with ventilation
• Dual-zone air conditioning
• JBL premium sound system (8 speakers and subwoofer)
• Keyless entry and push button start
• 18″ alloy wheels with 265/60 R18″ tires