Toyota Hilux

Design & Quality

Among the many aspects of the Hilux’s popularity among pickup truck buyers, the cabin is one.  Step inside and you'll understand why. The cabin is not luxurious in the way an SUV is, but it is well laid out. The plastics are hard but durable, which is what you want when sand and dust are part of life. The 9-inch touchscreen is fine and easy to read, even under the midday sun. The seats are firm but supportive, and after hours on uneven ground, I noticed no back pain. The most impressive part is the lack of rattles; everything stays in place even when the road disappears, quite literally. The Hilux is durable and promises you a long working life, even in KSA’s extreme weather conditions.

Front Seat

The driver’s seat is straightforward, nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. This is exactly what you expect in a working or functional pickup. You get manual adjustments and strong fabric that will last. The high driving position provides a superb front view and also side too, and you feel in a commanding place and a lot of safer driving.

Electronic Parking Brake

There is no electronic gimmick here, just a good old manual lever. For a pickup, this should work when carrying weight, and you need it during slops or traffic situations for better control.  The drill is straightforward; just pull it and you know it is locked.

Rear Seat

In the double cab, the rear bench is comfortable, made of quality materials and practical. Passengers get decent leg space, and when you need extra cargo inside, the bench folds down flat. There are vents and USB ports, which keep passengers happy during longer runs. Families and work crews both will find it usable.

AC Vents

The cooling deserves a mention because in KSA, it is a must. I tested it in the middle of the day, and the cabin cooled within minutes, and what a relief. The dual zone setup also lets the driver and passenger choose their comfort, which is a nice touch in this class.

Storage Options

Toyota has been clever with storage, considering the user segment of this pickup. You get the expected door pockets and cupholders, but also some hidden storage under the rear seat. Combined with the massive bed at the back, it makes the Hilux more versatile than you first expect, which is very helpful.

Armrest

Front and rear armrests are straightforward but useful. They come with cupholders that can actually hold the large bottles we use here, not just small cans. Again, it is the little things that show the thought behind the design.

Charging Options

There are multiple charging ports, including USB-A, USB-C, and a 12V socket. On long days with multiple devices running, this is a lifesaver. Everyone in the cabin can keep their phones powered without fighting over one port.

Cargo Deck

The bed is the true workhorse. At 1,670 litres, it takes almost anything you can throw at it. The tie-down points are strong, and you can secure tools, gear, or even bikes with ease. Our test with a heavy load revealed the Hilux's abilities, as it drove off without hesitation, no sagging, no drama.

• Driver and front passenger airbags comprise a knee airbag for the driver in higher trims

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

• Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)

• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Rear parking sensors (in most trims)

• Rearview camera (available in higher trims)
• Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Rear differential lock (4X4 trims)

• ISOFIX child seat mounts

Walk around the Hilux, and you know instantly this is built for performance and to do tough jobs. At more than five meters long and with 227 mm clearance, it looks strong and ready to work. The front looks aggressive with a bold grille and new LED headlights that actually help a lot on dark highways outside KSA cities.

The chrome touches and skid plate are not just for looks but they are quite rugged without being overdone. This truck does not try to impress with flimsy design but is made for serious work, with the Japanese-built reliability to delight the owners.

Front

From the driver’s seat, the nose feels big and solid, and that gives you that unmissable confidence. The wide grille is not just cosmetic; it gives airflow where it is needed, while the LED headlights and fog lamps are genuinely useful in dust storms or during late-night runs. The hood has a comforting strength to it, and you know when you slam it shut that this is no fragile panel. The skid plate under the nose is already scrape-friendly, and so you don’t have to worry if you get touched by anything, which certainly adds to your peace of mind.

Side

The Hilux’s profile is all about purpose, functionality and practicality. The long wheelbase means it is steady when you pick up highway speeds, and feels less float than one might expect from a pickup. The side steps are not just for looks; they make getting in and out a lot easier. The alloys look ready to rock, and the roof rails are useful when the bed is full. So, looking at the side, it feels a lot practical, quite useful for owners who want to make the most out of it for their daily business needs or even family drives too.

Alloy Wheels

The 17-inch alloys covered in all-terrain rubber are exactly what a truck like this needs. They are ready for loose gravel, sand, and plain asphalt, without a complaint, and that is what you expect from a pickup. In the sand, they bite in, and on the highway, the tires are well planted without the humming noise that cheap tires make. You notice the tires wash clean easily, which is a small blessing after a work or weekend trip.

Rear

The back end is where the Hilux makes quite an impression. Also, a big factor in buying any pickup, taking into account the commercial usability aspect. You get a large and solid cargo bed with a tailgate that locks and feels secure. It can take any heavy equipment, and it handled the weight without even a squeak. The bumper feels like it was carved from one piece, and the taillamps stay visible even when dust coats them. There is also a high stop lamp that makes you visible in busy traffic, and you admire how Toyota really gives so much attention to details that really matter to the everyday user.

Colors

Toyota has not gone that extra mile with the paint choices, and honestly, that is good. White and Silver remain the most practical for KSA heat, while Black and Grey give it a more serious look if you are willing to put in the effort to keep them clean. Red and Blue add some life, but I think most buyers will still go safe.

City Performance

Driving the Hilux in our cities quickly shows why it is such a popular choice among buyers in the segment. The diesel feels steady with its 147 hp, while the 164 hp petrol is a touch more eager in traffic. The six-speed manual is smooth, and the 227 mm clearance easily takes on potholes. The average 10.5 km mileage per litre in the diesel, while the petrol dipped closer to 9.8, is still fine for city use. What makes life easier is the tight turning circle and rear sensors when you’re going through busy, congested streets or narrow lanes. The cabin feels strong, but the seats remain supportive through long days. Also, sharp bumps can be felt, but that is part of the truck’s tough build and character. The multi-terrain select provides a playful edge when you want to take a detour.

Highway Performance

On the highway, the Hilux really settles well. Both engines offer enough power for cruising and towing up to 3,500 kg feels effortless. The mileage figures are close to 10.5 for diesel and 9.8 for petrol on long runs, but this depends on driving types and road conditions. Pushed it to near 175 km per hour, and I was impressed by its stability, quiet cabin, and how secure it felt. On steep inclines with heavy loads, there is a brief hesitation, but the 400 Nm torque sorts it out quickly. Cruise control makes long trips less tiring, and the ladder frame and skid plates inspire confidence that this is a truck built to last.

Ride and Handling

The Hilux rides firm yet feels steady, with leaf springs that do the job of taking care of rough ground. The 227 mm clearance and 4x4 capability make tougher terrains welcoming, while the accurate steering maintains it composed on bends. Comfort is better than expected with minimal cabin sway, given it is a pickup and still not bad. Sharp jolts remind you of its workhorse nature, but the payoff is toughness. Looking at the competition, the Hilux feels more reliable and planted, and features like the rear differential lock give extra assurance when the terrain gets tricky.

• Fabric seats
• Manual or automatic air conditioning (depending on variant)

• Front cup holders
• Steering wheel mounted controls

• Power windows (usually one-touch on higher trims)
• Front seats ventilation (higher trims)
• Cool box (in some variants)
• Wood grain effect interior (select trims)
• Leather seats (GR-S trim)
• Rear air conditioning vents (GR-S trim)
• Armrests with cupholders (rear seats in higher trims)
• Connected Display Audio (C-DA) 8-inch touchscreen

• Apple CarPlay system
• Analogue instrument cluster with 4.2-inch multi-information display

• Digital Audio Broadcasting Radio (DAB)
• USB-A port(s)
• 6 speakers audio system, depending on the variant
• Navigation system (GR-S trim)

SayaraBay Recommendation: After driving all of them, the GLX 2.4 DSL 4X4 stands out for simple reasons. It delivers the right mix of 147 hp power, 400 Nm torque, 4x4 ability, and modern comfort without straying too far into premium territory. It feels quite comfortable moving cargo or taking your family out on a trip. The fuel efficiency is strong for its class, and the 1,670 litre bed is large enough for most needs. Among rivals, it continues to stand out in durability and everyday dependability, hallmarks of Toyota. 

After spending time with the Hilux, it is easy to see why it remains such a strong player in the pickup market, even after decades. There haven’t been any serious competitions to take on it.

What makes it that way is not about fancy features or soft road manners; it is about trust, resilience, and real-world usability. The ladder frame, strong diesel engine, and practical cabin come together to make a pickup that feels ready for the tough demands of KSA buyers.

Whether you are looking for a strong, rugged and reliable workhorse, a weekend adventure machine, or a mix of both, the Hilux still holds its ground firmly against the Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi L200. Add Toyota’s strong resale value to the mix, and it becomes one of the smartest choices in this segment.

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