2023 Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4E MT 4WD Review

In recent years, the pickup truck market in Malaysia has continued to thrive, with consumers demanding vehicles that balance off-road capability and everyday practicality. The 2023 Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4E MT 4WD is a popular choice in this segment. As a mid-tier configuration of the Hilux series, it boasts durability, four-wheel-drive performance, and well-balanced features as its core selling points. Many users are curious about whether the manual diesel model's actual performance meets expectations. This test drive will focus on exterior practicality, interior features, dynamic performance, and adaptability to daily scenarios, offering genuine insights for potential buyers.

In terms of appearance, this Hilux continues the robust design style of the family, with overall angular and strong lines. The front fascia features a large trapezoidal grille, complemented by a honeycomb mesh and chrome accents, giving it high recognizability. The sharp halogen headlights on both sides are equipped with standard automatic lights and daytime running lights, which are convenient for daily use. On the side, the vehicle's length of 5,325mm and wheelbase of 3,085mm ensure ample interior space. The muscular lines around the wheel arches enhance its off-road vibe, while the 265/65 R17 tire specifications strike a balance between on-road driving and light off-road demands. At the rear, the vertically arranged tail lights and simple, practical bumper design emphasize utility. The rear fog light comes as standard, and the handles on the tailgate make it easy to open and close. Overall, the exterior avoids overly flashy designs, aligning with the utility-oriented positioning of a pickup truck.

Sitting inside, the interior prioritizes practicality, with a clear layout on the center console. The multifunctional steering wheel supports basic features like audio controls, and the left-side control area allows for adjusting and electrically folding the side mirrors with ease. The instrument panel consists of traditional mechanical gauges combined with a monochrome display screen, showing key information like speed, RPM, and fuel level, all of which are intuitive to read. The seats are fabric-upholstered, with the front driver and passenger seats supporting four-way manual adjustments. Although the adjustment method is traditional, the support is decent, making long drives less tiring. The rear row features a bench seat for three people, which supports folding to expand the cargo space. In terms of features, it comes standard with six speakers and the Sound Plus function to meet basic audio needs. The manual air conditioning dials have moderate resistance, and there’s a USB port below the front air vents for convenient charging. Regarding safety features, the vehicle is equipped with standard alerts for unfastened seat belts, three airbags (for the driver, passenger, and knee), ISO FIX child seat anchors, rear parking sensors, and hill-start assist, all of which enhance everyday driving convenience.

One of Hilux's advantages is its spaciousness. The 3,085mm wheelbase provides ample legroom for rear passengers, while the width of 1,855mm ensures sufficient lateral space for three people in the back row. There's also plenty of headroom, and passengers around 175cm tall won’t feel cramped. In terms of storage capability, the door panel storage slots can hold two bottles of water, there’s an open storage compartment below the center console, and the central armrest box is moderately sized. The truck bed offers a standard large capacity, which, combined with the foldable rear seats, meets the requirements for transporting cargo or goods. The minimum ground clearance of 286mm provides good off-road passability for rough terrains.

In terms of power, the 2.4T diesel engine has a maximum power output of 110.3kW (150PS) and a peak torque of 400N·m, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. When starting, you can feel the abundant low-end torque with gear shifts around 1600rpm. Even under full load conditions, climbing slopes is not strenuous. During acceleration, the gearbox has clear gear positions, the shifting stroke is moderate, and the clutch engagement point is easy to grasp, allowing new drivers to adapt quickly. The four-wheel-drive system is a part-time 4WD setup, and when switched to 4H mode, it performs steadily on muddy roads or light off-road routes. Its 265mm tires offer decent grip. As for the chassis, the combination of a front double wishbone independent suspension and a rear leaf spring non-independent suspension effectively absorbs most small bumps on the road surface, ensuring good highway cruising stability. When cornering, the vehicle's body roll is kept within a reasonable range, and the steering wheel offers moderate precision, aligning well with the positioning of a pickup truck.

Regarding fuel consumption, the total test drive distance was approximately 200km, which included congested city roads, highway cruising, and light off-road trails. The combined fuel consumption was about 7.8L/100km, which is relatively economical considering the 2.065-ton vehicle weight. For braking performance, the combination of front ventilated disc and rear drum brakes offers linear brake response, providing sufficient safety for everyday driving. As for noise control, the diesel engine is slightly noisy at idle, but once driving, wind noise and tire noise are well-controlled, allowing for uninterrupted in-car conversations.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2023 Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4E MT 4WD lie in its reputation for durability, balanced space performance, practical features, and reliable 4WD capability. Compared to competitors in the same class, it has better resale value and after-sales network advantages. While its interior lacks the technological flair of some emerging models, it strikes a better balance between utility and everyday usability. This vehicle is suitable for users who need to balance work-related cargo tasks with weekend off-road adventures, such as small business owners, outdoor enthusiasts, or families demanding durability.

In conclusion, the 2023 Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4E MT 4WD is a "well-rounded" practical pickup truck. While it does not boast extravagant features, its durability, space, and off-road capabilities adequately meet the core needs of its target users, making it a reliable choice.