Toyota Australia has announced a host of changes for the Toyota Hilux for the 2023 model year, with the headliner being the enhanced Rogue variant. Still a double cab with four-wheel drive, the Rogue has been made to become even more capable on- and off-road, appearing more rugged in the process.
For starters, the Rogue’s track has been widened by approximately 140 mm in the front and rear, while the vehicle’s ride height has also been increased by approximately 20 mm. To accommodate the wider track on the Rogue, the Hilux’s front suspension arm and front stabiliser bar length have been extended, with the shock absorber angle also adjusted for improved efficiency.
As for the rear, the axle length also gets extended, and the dampers are moved further out towards the wheels. The Hilux in Rogue form also gets a rear stabiliser bar for the first time in order to enhance cornering stability and ride comfort. These suspension changes contribute to a 20% improvement in roll rigidity as well as better steering feel when cornering and changing lanes.
Visually, the Rogue gets wide overfenders and mudguards, while the front body extension has also been widened to seamlessly integrate with the front bumper. The wide-bodied Rogue also sees the Hilux receive ventilated rear disc brakes for the first time in place of the previous drum brakes. On a related note, the front disc brakes now measure 25 mm larger at 432 mm.
It’s not mentioned if the engine has been tuned to deliver more power, but the Rogue is expected to carry over the same 1GD-FTV 2.8 litre turbodiesel offering 204 PS (201 hp) and 500 Nm with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Moving on to upgrades for other variants in the Hilux range, the SR extra cab and double variants will come with new black 17-inch alloy wheels to replace the previous steelies, while body-coloured door handles are said to give a more premium look.
Meanwhile, the SR5 double cab variants gain a blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, with both systems also being standard on the Rogue. The SR5s also come with a panoramic view monitor and puddle lamps, the latter replacing the previous heated side mirrors. Another change for the Australian-spec Hilux is the steering column lock, which been replaced by an ID Box anti-theft immobiliser on automatic SR5 grades and above.
The company also said in its release that the Hilux Rugged X will be substituted with a “new apex off-road variant” but did not provide details. It’s likely that a GR Sport variant will be introduced, although there’s no confirmation for now. The Hilux sold in Australia is built in Thailand, and the 2023 model year pick-up truck will arrive in showrooms in the fourth quarter of this year.
The Hilux Rogue is also offered in Malaysia with the same 1GD-FTV engine, priced at RM149,880 on-the-road without insurance. Are you a fan of the new Rogue’s look and are you hoping that we get it here as part of a future update?
GALLERY: 2021 Toyota Hilux 2.8 Rogue (Malaysia market)
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Even bigger trucks, do we seriously need these for normal commuting?
sometimes i wonder – do we need high performance cars/trucks with 300hp 500nm torque to drive in town?
everyone talking about EV… to go green, why not just encourage the buyers to opt for smaller eco-friendly cars?
You can’t tell a big car owner to U turn.
The balls are growing.
Nope, we don’t need bigger trucks for commuting. However do people want bigger trucks, probably.
Smaller car already proved unworthy, and create congestion. One big truck can bring one family, and it takes two smaller cars, two car parks to complete the same task
this guys is either from the Europe or never own a car
EV caused more damage to the environment more than traditional gas / diesel. The amount of damage that they r doing to the environment to dig up the lithium; and dumping of wasted EV battery once the lifespan is over hurts more than what CO2 and CO can do to the environment. Ozone has healed itself, contradicted to what the elites predicted. We didnt die from ‘rising sea level’ nor ‘frozen to death by 2020’. All these eco-friendly cars talk is just trying to controlled us to owning a normal car, while the elites can fly their private jets around talking about cLiMaTe ChANgE.
I’m prefer toyota than alder brand
I use toyata 2.8 single cab went I work with loc before
Still same OLD annoy reverse camera “after thought” installation. All over the world is integrated into the handle neatly. WHY and HOW come Malaysia is “separated”?????
The Rogue is getting even better.
If more than 2000cc I tak mau la. Our road tax too crazy
“On a related note, the front disc brakes now measure 25 mm larger at 432 mm.”
Wow the brake disc is even bigger than ferrari brake disc which is smaller than 400mm
whyyyyy no MANUAL TRANSMISSION for MALAYSIA????…WE NEED MANUAL HILUX