Mako goes after Raptor
With Ford holding the reins of the ute market since about 2014, it was always going to be a case of when – not if – Toyota NZ would deliver a model to compete.
With thousands of happy owners it has become the default vehicle for ‘tradies’ and farmers, and with a string of variants there is sure to be one that suits your preference.
Dairy News was recently reacquainted with a double cab diesel version of the 2WD Hilux. The press vehicle came with a host of extras which included running boards, alloys, a roof rack and rear canopy which are popular with buyers who like to personalise their trucks.
A single cab/chassis starts the range which is in both a 116kW petrol version with 240Nm of torque but we drove a 126kW diesel with 343Nm.
Not the quietest of engines, but it is powerful and flexible enough for most loads. Inside modern farm trucks are getting more car-like in their specifications.
Durable but attractive seat coverings and almost car-like controls are becoming the norm with Bluetooth, cruise control and climate air slowly making its way in to the range in some higher spec models.
With pricing starting at $35,790 and depending on the extras, you will possibly top $50,000 for a top spec 2WD. These are not trying to compete with the Chinese offerings but a Hilux buyer is often a Hilux buyer for life. The price is for a long-term investment banking on reliability and resale value to get the most for their dollar.
Watch out for deals too, Toyota are the masters of the special offer. Contact 0800 TOYOTA.
