Another model has been added to the Hilux family.

A FRESH face and new sub-nameplate has come into the Hilux lineup.

Toyota New Zealand has released more detail, including pricing, about the Cruiser SR5 derivative of the one-tonne ute in its doublecab diesel format.

The additional model, announced in November, delivers a bespoke body kit and a new nose styling that bears resemblance with the US-market Toyota Tacoma, with a vertical fog light cluster and boxier hexagonal grille design, plus revised LED foglights.

It’s the second popular ute to pick up an American flavour, along with the Ranger which in Raptor guise adopts the styling of a US-market F-150-based namesake. Suggestion that the Cruiser could yet spawn a Toyota Racing Development performance ute to meet the Raptor’s challenge has continued to be downplayed by Toyota here and overseas.

This new look is from a Hilux Rocco first unveiled in Thailand, where all Hilux are sourced, and will eventually transfer to all wide-body – that is, the high-standing four-by-four and PreRunner editions – over 2018.

It is the single biggest styling change to the truck since Hilux launched three years ago.
 
“The Hilux benchmark has been raised again with a more aggressive style that will appeal to even more customers, and build on the long-standing Hilux attributes of being tough and unbreakable,” said Neeraj Lala, Toyota New Zealand’s General Manager of new vehicle sales and product about the derivative, which costs $54,690 in rear-drive PreRunner format and $67,790 with four-wheel-drive. Both editions run with a six-speed automatic.
 
“SR5 Cruiser makes a bold statement with a tougher exterior design, first class safety, enhanced interior styling and the built-in strength that makes Hilux the first choice for customers who want a ute that looks good but can perform in demanding environments.
 
“More customers purchased Hilux in 2017 than in any other year in its history, featuring a level of loyalty not often seen in the car business,” said Lala.

“We expect the strong Hilux customer loyalty to continue in 2018 and beyond.”
 
Eighteen-inch gloss metallic black alloy wheels with 265/60 tyres make the Hilux SR5 Cruiser stand out and are complemented by black door mirrors, door handles, and a new black rear bumper. SR5 Cruiser body graphics are also included.
 
The Cruiser has black trim and perforated, leather accented upholstery. The driver and front passenger seats have heaters.
 
The SR5 Cruiser has a new instrument cluster with a revised tachometer and speedometer off-set with piano black ornamentation to replace the silver highlights of the outgoing SR5 Limited model. A new MID opening screen sequence has been created.
 
The 2.8 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel is unchanged in tune, so makes 130kW power and 450Nm of torque, from 1600rpm-2400rpm.
 
Standard features include cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment, seven airbags, satellite navigation, LED headlights, day time running lights and fog lights, climate control air conditioning, rear differential lock, six speaker audio, reversing camera and a 3500kg maximum braked towing capacity.