What’s better: HiLux or Ranger?

Experts in the field of motoring have spent a lot of time and energy over the years trying to determine the reason behind the meteoric rise in popularity of utes. Only ten years ago, the primary function of a ute was to transport construction workers along with their equipment to job sites and to pull trailers.

Even though those functions are still there, the rough edges have been smoothed out by five-star safety ratings from ANCAP, additional standard features, and an overall improvement in presentation. Driveability has been improved thanks to upgraded automatic transmissions that have a greater number of gear ratios. Additionally, very few other vehicles are capable of towing up to 3,500 kilogrammes.

The fundamental packaging of these two best-sellers has not changed, and there is not much of a distinction between the two in terms of tray size, towing capacity, or payload. Nevertheless, despite the fact that there are an increasing number of "Luxo" dual-cab utes on our roads, the Toyota Hilux Rogue and the Ford Ranger Wildtrak continue to be two of the very best examples that can be found.

Toyota Hilux

Toyota could never have predicted that its HiLux ute would top monthly sales records in Australia in 2019. The original HiLux was debuted in the late 1960s.

The idea that dual-cabs, rather than SUVs, would be scooping away the leagues of driveway slots once claimed by Falcons and Commodores must have seemed absurd just a few years ago. I say this because I think dual-cabs would have been replacing SUVs a few years ago if the trend had continued.

The Toyota has great ground clearance, but its axle articulation is far worse than that of the Ford. The vehicle has a locking rear differential but lacks A-Trac and other off-road focused aids, like a locking front differential. This makes it far more likely that it will get stuck. The fact that the Ranger had to haul its adversary out of a dangerous situation is incredibly embarrassing.

Still, we've arrived at this point. Toyota had a winning formula on their hands; the HiLux has become a byword for durability and adaptability. It is the only mass-produced car to have driven to both geographic poles.

Nonetheless, competition is fierce in the Australian ute industry, so it's fair to wonder if Toyota's latest rolling update and its enlarged product selection were enough to keep the HiLux front-of-mind for consumers. To find out, we put the popular SR5 4x4 model through a week of testing and compared it to the rest of the available options.

Ford Ranger

It's no secret that the Ford Ranger Wildtrak is one of the automaker's best-selling vehicles. A great number of people have bought Ford Rangers from the PX generation and modified them, taking them off-road and putting them to work.

The Ranger, Ford's progeny in Asia, is a competent truck in its own right. Electric power steering, more safety features, improved in-car electronics, and a tuned engine that is quieter and less harsh than the previous edition are just some of the improvements made in the most current revision.

The most amazing Wildtrak model is the one that can pull the most and carry the greatest weight in the pickup bed and has the largest engine and exterior dimensions. It can also ford water up to 800 millimetres deep. It's the safest car of its kind thanks to its abundance of cutting-edge electronic safety features including blind-spot monitoring, forwards collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (ABS-EBD), and traction and stability controls. The single subpar feature is a ground clearance of 237 millimetres, which is 42 millimetres less than what the Hilux offers.

Now, Ford has created a new trim level above the entry-level Wildtrak to fill out the portfolio for the 2019 model year. The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X has a few extra features for a somewhat higher price, hence the 'X' in the model name, which stands for 'extra'.

We didn't go on any crazy off-road adventures for this test; instead, we just put the Wildtrak X through its paces in normal driving conditions and under load to see how it holds up. Due to our interest in testing the Wildtrak X's durability, we stayed on beaten paths.

Toyota HiLux vs. Ford Ranger

Design

The Toyota HiLux is not a particularly attractive vehicle. It has a robust and almost commercial appearance.

A few minor alterations to the exterior's aesthetic were made for the 2020 model year, one of which was the addition of a new grille made of plastics with a high-gloss black finish.

I don't like it. It has taken on a clumsy appearance, whereas the previous truck, with its more refined chrome grille, seemed to have a better handle on things. Putting aside what I think, the raised bumpers on the HiLux make it appear as though it is fully prepared for action. These bumpers put the vehicle's approach and departure capabilities on full display.

When viewed from a distance, the additional chrome that is featured on the SR5's grille, door handles, bumpers, flashy 18-inch alloys, and sports bar set it apart from the other models in the HiLux range and give it the appearance of being a "top-spec" vehicle.

Even though those modifications don't seem particularly significant, they are a part of what is luring customers to purchase trucks with such a high level of customization.

The HiLux eschews the appearance of an American pickup truck, which is becoming increasingly popular thanks to its primary competitor, the Ranger, and instead emphasises the compact dimensions that have allowed it to maintain its position as the market leader in Australia for such a significant amount of time.

The interior is the same as it was in models produced before the MY20 redesign; there are a great many hard plastic surfaces, and the swept dashboard features a little bit of design.

However, in contrast to the Amarok and Ranger Wildtrak, the SR5's interior is not so plush that one would feel guilty loading it up with tools and supplies.

There are a few things that are annoying about this vehicle, but the steering wheel has a great feel in your hand, and the dashboard has a traditional layout that will please the majority of people.

The first issue is that my knee would collide with the housing for the 4x4 transfer switch, and the second issue is that there is no dial for controlling the volume on the tech.

The system itself is cumbersome, featuring outdated menus that are difficult to navigate and a lack of the most recent phone connectivity technology. You shouldn't anticipate any changes in that regard in the near future either. The media suite found in the Toyota HiLux is too out of date to be updated with the connectivity enhancements that are on the way for the majority of Toyota's refreshed passenger car range.

The leather seats and the padded trim for the driver on the door cards make the cabin a decent place to be for long journeys. This is in contrast to the poorly placed hard plastics and the jiggly suspension that are discussed elsewhere in this review.

Ford Ranger: We completely understand if the Wildtrak X is appealing to your sense of aesthetics alone, which is why you might be thinking about purchasing one. When compared to models without the X suffix, it comes with several new design highlights, the majority of which add functionality.

It receives a variety of blacked-out components, including new 18-inch wheels that are still wrapped in the same Bridgestone Dueler H/T rubber, wheel-arch flares that allow for a more aggressive wheel and tyre setup, a black nudge bar with an LED light bar, and a genuine Ford snorkel, among other things.

When taken together, it makes the Wildtrak X appear to be very similar to many of the non-X models that you have seen, in which the owners have spent thousands of dollars on additional accessories. The rest of the destination has not changed since the variant from the 19.75 model year that we had, but there will be some minor adjustments made to the range of 2020 models.

Practicality

The front seats of the Toyota HiLux are outfitted with enormous cupholders that can accommodate jumbo cans, pizzas, and sausage rolls. This is because Toyota intended the HiLux for its target market (and wallets, and phones).

A tiny trench lies beneath the air conditioner controls, a double glove box is installed on the passenger side, and the centre console features a deep box for additional items.

Comfortable, but not spectacular, legroom is available in the backseat. At 5 feet 11 inches tall and 7 feet 2 inches wide, my 71-inch tall, 182-centimeter-wide body fits behind my own driving position with just enough room for my knees to touch the seat in front of me. As an upgrade, the SR5 trim now includes vents on the back of the centre stack, which is especially welcome news during the scorching Australian summer.

By swivelling the 60/40 split seat bases, the space behind the cab's seats may be transformed into a practical storage place.

The SR5's tray isn't big enough to fit a common Australian pallet, but that's true of very few utes. Here are the dimensions: Length: 1550 mm, Width: 1520 mm Weight: 340 g.

Toyota warns that the steel sport bar must not be utilised for load securing. Instead, you should use the four tie-down points that are strategically placed around the tub's perimeter. Sooner or later, those who wish to utilise the tray for anything but entertainment will have to find another establishment.

The high-riding 4x4 variant of the HiLux has a payload capacity of 955 kilogrammes and a towing capability of 750 kilogrammes unbraked and 3200 kilogrammes braked.

These are merely Toyota's published specifications for the HiLux; for a more in-depth analysis of the HiLux's capabilities, see Mark Oastler's assessment on TradieGuide.

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X, like all dual-cab Ranger models, features a roomy cabin. With three adults comfortably seated across the rear, the cabin has enough room to house five people. Unfortunately, there are no vents in the back, so passengers in the back may feel stuffy on hot days.

Each door features a bottle holder in addition to the front and rear cup holders. In the event that you find yourself short on space in the bath, you have the option of raising the seat base.

The vehicle's front cabin is well-designed and roomy, with a convenient storage system and an easy-to-navigate stereo. We haven't mentioned this before, but you could find the constant beeps and chimes of danger alarms to be unpleasant. For instance, I know that the door is open since I just opened it. Sheesh!

The bathroom is next, followed by the bathtub.

The Australian pallet is too large to fit, measuring in at 1549 millimetres in length, 1560 millimetres in breadth, and 1139 millimetres in distance between the tyre arches (1165mm minimum). The standard Wildtrak doesn't come with a tub as deep as the 511 millimetres found in other variants. This is because the housing for the roller cover, located at the opposite end of the tub, effectively cuts the available space in half.

In spite of the hardtop roller cover and tub liner, securing a load can be difficult due to the absence of centre tie-down hooks and the presence of four tie-down hooks in the tub's corners.

Engine & trans

The HiLux SR5 retains the highly regarded 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine that it debuted in the previous model. The outputs are the standard for the segment, coming in at 130 kW and 450 Nm.

There is nothing dazzling about it at all. Not like the engines in the Ranger (which can give you more power thanks to an additional cylinder or an additional turbo), the Navara (which has an additional turbo), or the D-Max (which has an engine that is literally a truck engine).

However, it seems that the engine in the HiLux can pull it along at a decent pace when used for recreational purposes. In a recent comparison of towing capabilities, the Toyota HiLux came in second place behind the Ford Ranger in terms of available torque. On the other hand, it came in first place ahead of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, which has the same powertrain as the Nissan Navara.

During my evaluations on the freeway and an unpaved road, the six-speed automatic transmission performed exceptionally well, and its results were consistent with those of earlier comparisons. As part of its arsenal of drivetrain components, the SR5 boasts a low-range transfer case that also features a rear differential lock.

Recent problems with the diesel particulate filter (DPF) have called into question the 'unbreakable' reputation of this pickup truck. However, Toyota asserts that those problematic times are in the past thanks to the development of a manual burn-off switch.

Ford Ranger: The Wildtrak X that we tested comes equipped with a 3.2-liter five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that is capable of producing 147 kW of power (at 3000 rpm) and 470 Nm of torque (from 1750-2000rpm). In this configuration, it comes with an automatic transmission that has six speeds, and the Wildtrak X does not offer a manual transmission choice. It has a low-range transfer case with 2H, 4H, and 4L gearing, in addition to an electronic locking rear differential. This vehicle also has selectable four-wheel drive.

The 2.0-liter Bi-turbo four-cylinder engine is the other engine choice available for the Wildtrak X. This engine generates 157 kW of power (at 3750 rpm) and 500 Nm of torque (1750-2000rpm). This is the most grunt that can be produced by an engine with only four cylinders. It has a four-wheel drive configuration and an automatic transmission with ten different gear ratios.

Towing capacities of 750 kg for an unbraked trailer and 3500 kg for a braked trailer are both included in the specifications for the Ranger Wildtrak X.

It weighs 2287 kilogrammes to get the Ranger Wildtrak X 3.2L off the ground. The gross vehicle mass (GVM) of the vehicle is 3200 kilogrammes, and the gross combination mass (GCM) of the vehicle is 6000 kilogrammes.

Fuel consumption

The Toyota HiLux I tested for a week had a fuel consumption rate of 10.1 litres per 100 kilometres when driven on the highway, on rough terrain, and on a daily basis. Its official combined and claimed figure is 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres, so this figure is 1.6 litres per 100 kilometres higher.

Given the amount of time spent on the freeway during our test, we believe that it would be extremely challenging for you to achieve a fuel economy of less than 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres on any given day.

4x4 HiLuxes can only run on diesel and have an 80-liter fuel tank capacity.

According to Ford, the fuel consumption rate for the Ranger Wildtrak X 3.2L model is 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres, and the fuel tank capacity is 80 litres. There is not a fuel tank for long-range travel.

During our test drive, we drove in a variety of environments, including cities, highways, and rural roads, with and without cargo, and we saw an average fuel economy of 11.1 litres per hundred kilometres.

Driving

The Toyota HiLux delivers a driving experience that is just as tough as its exterior. Both the seat and the wheel can be adjusted to a wide variety of positions, making it easy to select a driving posture that is pleasant for the vast majority of drivers.

Even without extra cargo, the vehicle has a bad ride quality, and after three hours on the road, you'll be sick of the jiggling action of the ladder chassis. The back is the worst because the leaf springs will transmit every bump and jolt to the occupants.

The HiLux has a forceful but not unnecessarily so with its steering. It's not hard to acquire a feel for where the front wheels are, especially in more leisurely off-road situations, thanks to the ample feedback provided by the wheels themselves.

Lighter and more car-like steering on the Ranger and Amarok comes at the expense of less input, but this trade-off is justified by the vehicles' superior ability to manoeuvre through dense urban situations.

The HiLux's steering isn't as onerous as that of the Triton, a truck that has the potential to be downright unpleasant to drive.

The 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine's output is approximately average, and this is something the driver will feel when behind the wheel. The term "refinement" is used to describe the ordinary. The D-Max isn't as industrial sounding as this one, but it's also not as loud as the Amarok or Ranger.

The SR5 immediately takes on the look and behaviour of a car that is at home in its natural habitat when driven on an unsealed surface. Compared to other vehicles, this one seems to have superior suspension because it effortlessly overcomes potholes, pebbles, and other impediments.

Higher speeds and uneven ground bring out the worst in the vehicle's stiff rear springs, which can cause the back of the car to fishtail. However, this behaviour can be lessened by switching to 4H mode.

My own testing was confined to a couple of dirt roads in rural New South Wales, but in a more extensive off-road portion of a six-ute comparison test (in which this truck also participated), the SR5 came out on top.

You should read it to learn more about the HiLux's off-road capabilities.

The modern SR5 is a powerful on- and off-road pickup, but unlike other rivals, it prioritises performance over convenience.

We love driving our Ford Ranger on a regular basis. Many customers purchase the Ford Ranger dual cab four wheel drive variants despite having no need for the truck's payload or towing capacity. People are drawn to this utility because of its practicality.

There is no need to worry about getting a painful back or aching kidneys from bouncing over city speed bumps because there is no one riding shotgun. Unlike most other utes, this one is so well-rounded and polished that you'll really enjoy driving it more when it's empty than when it has a cargo in the back.

The easy-to-control steering makes parking a joy, and it's also pleasant to operate in most driving situations. It's a relief to know that if you've been working all day, you won't have to fight traffic on the way home.

The transmission shifts smoothly, and the acceleration is adequate, but not completely silent.

Safety

The Toyota HiLux saw significant improvements in the amount of standard safety equipment with the introduction of the 2020 model year.

Active features that are part of Toyota's 'Safety Sense' suite include automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning (LDW), road sign assist (which tells you the speed limit), and active cruise control. AEB can detect pedestrians and cyclists. This final one is more than welcome for those drawn-out drives on the freeway.

Blind-spot monitoring (also known as BSM), rear cross-traffic alert (also known as RCTA), and driver attention alert are conspicuously absent (DAA).

The Toyota HiLux comes standard with seven airbags, stability, brake, and traction controls, a reversing camera, and hill start assist, all of which are expected improvements in terms of safety.

On the two outermost rear seats, there are two ISOFIX child-seat mounting points, and on the middle seat, there are three top-tether points.

The ANCAP has awarded this particular model of the HiLux with the maximum possible five stars for safety.

Many of the utes currently available on the market do not yet have the level of safety and refinement that is now provided by the HiLux, and this is something that reverberates down through its range.

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak, along with the rest of the Ranger line-up, is a contender for the title of having the best safety specifications available for a pick-up truck in the industry.

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection is one of the standard safety features included on all Ranger models. Other standard safety features include lane-keeping assist, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition, and automated high-beam lights. The AEB system is compatible with both city driving and highway speeds, and it also comes with adaptive cruise control. However, there is neither a monitoring system for the blind spot nor an alert for rear cross-traffic.

The ANCAP crash test rating that the Ranger received in 2015, when the standards were significantly less stringent, was maintained at the five-star level. It does, however, come equipped with a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a semi-autonomous parking system in addition to its six airbags (dual front, front side, and full-length curtain).

It comes standard with two top-tether restraints for baby seats in addition to dual ISOFIX anchor points for child seats.

Price and features

The term "extensive" does not do justice to the Toyota HiLux lineup; to call it such would be an epic understatement. There is a HiLux model that is suitable for almost any purchaser of a ute, whether they are looking for a fleet of stripped-down workhorses or a pre-packaged recreational off-roader with bells and whistles.

This is without a doubt a crucial factor in the success of the truck, but it also results in a range of 36 different variations of the HiLux, which can be extremely confusing for customers.

To break it down even further, there are now six different trim levels available for the Toyota HiLux, and they are as follows (in descending order of price): Workmate, SR, SR5, Rogue, Rugged, and Rugged X.

Because it is the only model of the HiLux lineup that can still be purchased with either a 2.7- or 2.8-liter gasoline engine, the base-model Workmate offers the most configuration options. In addition, it comes with the choice of a manual or automatic transmission with six speeds, as well as four-wheel drive.

To make matters even more confusing, one has the option of ordering it either with a body-matching tray or as a cab-chassis.

Just the Workmate lineup has prices that range from $21,865 all the way up to $46,865. It is able to offer more competitive pricing than the primary entry-level versions of its competitors, the Mitsubishi Triton, the Ford Ranger, and the Isuzu D-Max; however, the latter two competitors come equipped with diesel powertrains as the default option.

Those who are interested in additional savings will have to venture into the murky waters of Chinese alternatives.

Importantly, the update for the 2020 Toyota HiLux included standard automatic emergency braking (AEB), active cruise control (ACC), and lane departure warning (LDW) for all trim levels, which was a significant upgrade even for the base model.

When upgrading to the SR, which costs between $40,285 and $50,740, buyers have the option of selecting either an extra- or dual-cab body style in 2.8-liter diesel automatic high-rider only, in addition to receiving an upgraded list of standard features.

Our test vehicle is the most popular SR5 variant, which is only available as a 4x4 hi-riding automatic in dual-cab form. To save you from having to read a short essay, we will not outline the specifications of each HiLux grade in this review; however, our test vehicle is the dual-cab version of the SR5 grade.

This pickup truck comes standard with a 7.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with built-in navigation (but not with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto just yet), 18-inch alloy wheels, a colour display screen in the dash, body matching bumpers, a rear chrome step bumper, LED auto-levelling headlights, LED DRLs, privacy glass, side-steps, steel sports bar, cloth seat trim, carpeted floors (instead of vinyl), an air-conditioned console box, 220-volt accessory socket,

Our SR5 was upgraded with the "Premium Interior Package," which included the supple leather interior trim, heated front seats, and power-adjustable driver's seat for a total cost of $2,000, in addition to the enticing "Olympia Red" colour, which cost an additional $600.

The SR5 comes equipped with a tow pack and a rear locking differential as standard equipment. Additionally, the front brakes on the SR5 are disc brakes, while the rear brakes are drum brakes. The "heavy duty" suspension of the SR5 consists of double wishbones up front and leaf springs at the back.

It is equipped with off-roading features such as a low-range transfer case, downhill accelerator control, hill start assist, and underbody protection to round out its capabilities. Later on in this review, we are going to talk about capacities and dimensions.

After adding all of the available add-ons, the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for our pickup truck was $59,840. A cool sixty thousand dollars is a significant amount more expensive than the similarly equipped Mitsubishi Triton GLX Plus ($43,490), or Nissan Navara ST-X ($55,250), and for the same money, you can have the marginally better equipped Ford Ranger Wildtrak ($56,340) with the older 3.2-liter five-cylinder engine.

It is a nice piece of equipment, without a doubt, plus you are buying into the HiLux badge and the "rugged" reputation that goes along with it, but in such a competitive market, it is worthwhile to at least cross-shop its competitors.

It is important to remember that the SR5 does not come equipped with a tub liner, so you will need to pay additional money to purchase one.

Ford Ranger: The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X begins at a base price of $65,290 plus on-road costs for the 3.2-liter turbo-diesel five-cylinder model that we tested. The 2.0-liter Bi-turbo four-cylinder engine, which is more powerful and refined, costs an additional $1500 and brings the total price to $66.790.

This results in a price increase of $2,000 in comparison to the base model of the Wildtrak, but Ford claims that the purchase is worth an additional $6,000 in value.

The already impressive list of standard features found on the Wildtrak is expanded even further with the addition of new styling accessories that come standard on the Wildtrak X.

This grade comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, HID headlights, an LED light bar, and all of the Wildtrak X body additions (for more information, see the Design section), an integrated tow bar and wiring harness, a tub liner, a 12-volt outlet in the tub, a hard roller top, and the model-specific interior with part-leather trim and a dark headlining. Additionally, this grade comes standard with a hard roller top.

In addition to that, there is a media system with a touchscreen measuring 8.0 inches that features satellite navigation, digital audio broadcasting via DAB, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, as well as a six-speaker sound system that includes a CD player. There are two USB ports, a charger that operates on 12 volts, and a PowerPoint presentation that operates on 230 volts.

The front seats can be heated, and the driver's seat can be adjusted electrically. In front of the driver, there are digital displays that show navigation and driving data (including a digital speedometer, which many utes still miss out on).

Ownership

The Toyota HiLux: At first glance, the HiLux appears to be a good investment. Early in 2019, the manufacturer began offering a warranty that is valid for five years and covers an unlimited number of kilometres, in addition to introducing a strong dealer network and capped prices for maintenance.

However, once you start looking into the specifics of the HiLux, you'll find that it can be a little bit annoying. Although the total cost of services is capped at a ridiculously affordable $240, you will be required to visit the shop at least twice (and possibly three times) annually, with intervals set at six months or 10,000 kilometres.

Affordable, sure. Despite this, they occur with a frustrating regularity.

SsangYong Musso (permanent seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty), Isuzu D-Max (six-year/150,000-kilometer warranty), and Mitsubishi Triton (promotional seven-year warranty) are three examples of utes that offer better warranties than the Ford Ranger. Ford backs all of its models with a five-year/unlimited-kilometer warranty plan for the Ranger, which is on par with the rest of the mainstream ute market but falls behind the

The intervals between service with capped prices are every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres. In addition, the duration of the service plan is for the life of the vehicle, which is beneficial for your peace of mind if you intend to keep your car for a significant amount of time after purchasing it.

At this time, Ford is running a promotion in which the cost of maintenance for the first four years or 60,000 kilometres is capped at $299 per visit. That's a good deal, but keep in mind that once the promotional period is over, prices will go back up.

Are you concerned about the Ford Ranger's performance? Visit our page dedicated to Ford Ranger problems to learn about problems, customer complaints, recalls, and anything else related to the vehicle's dependability. We experienced a problem of our own with the vehicle, which was under the impression that it was towing a trailer the entire time we had it. This caused the automatic parking system and the rear parking sensors to become inoperable.

Verdict: Which is best, the Toyota HiLux or Ford Ranger?

When looking at the technical specifications and customer reviews of both the Toyota HiLux pick-up truck and the Ford Ranger ute, the Ranger pick-up truck comes out on top. This finding comes as a surprise given that it appears that Australian purchasers still favour the HiLux when given a choice.

In addition to having a reputation for being as tough as old boots, the HiLux has received generally positive feedback from consumers regarding its reliability. It has slightly better traction when driving off-road, but it is not as versatile as other vehicles. It consumes more fuel, has less power, and the Ranger comes standard with a few more and slightly better interior features and gadgets than this model does.

The Toyota HiLux is comparable to the Great White Shark in that it is renowned for its abilities and is essentially the undisputed ruler of the marine food chain (or ute sales charts). However, the Ranger is similar to a killer whale in that it is known to hunt great white sharks, and it is currently closing in on a competitor that is struggling slightly.

As drivers, we spend the majority of our time in the city, and because of this, we have a tendency to forget that these utes are built on a sturdy chassis that was designed to go off-road, where a sandy or muddy 'goat track' is more common than a strip of bitumen. When we get behind the wheel, the majority of us will never face situations like these.

In these kinds of circumstances, the Ranger Wildtrak and the HiLux Rogue are really only limited by the experience of the driver; in fact, if they are in the right hands, both of these vehicles will navigate virtually any situation and emerge from it unscathed.

The market for dual cab utes has traditionally been one in which very few changes are made to vehicles from one year to the next. Because they demonstrate how seriously the manufacturers value the mantle of being number one, the recent upgrades to the Ranger and increased variant line-up for the HiLux shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

Although the HiLux is the winner in this category, the Ranger is the winner when it comes to its driveability and overall user friendliness. It is anyone's guess how much longer the Toyota HiLux will remain at the top of the heap given that its rivals release more technologically advanced models each year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH8VoN6Y7nQ

Conclusion

The ute is synonymous with toughness and versatility. Only this mass-produced automobile has made it to the poles of the Earth. The Toyota Hilux Rogue and Ford Ranger Wildtrak continue to be two of the very best specimens that can be found. The Wildtrak X includes a few extra features at a considerably higher price, hence the 'X' in the model name. We tested the Wildtrak's durability in both everyday driving and extreme conditions.

The HiLux SR5 seems clunky now, when the prior vehicle had a better grasp on things. Those built before the MY20 makeover retain the same interior. The infotainment system is clumsy and has outmoded, complicated menus. Leather seats and cushioned upholstery give the cabin a comfortable place to stay for long excursions. Front seats have large cupholders that can fit big cans, pizzas, and sausage buns.

The SR5's tray isn't big enough to fit a normal Australian pallet, but that's true of very few utes. The 2.8-liter turbocharged engine is still standard on the HiLux SR5. The regular Wildtrak does not have a tub as deep as the 511 mm tubs that are available in other models. Since the roller cover's housing is on the opposite end of the tub, this practically halves the usable volume. The HiLux Wildtrak X comes equipped with a 3.2-liter five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that is capable of producing 147 kW of power and 470 Nm of torque (1750-2000rpm) (1750-2000rpm).

It is equipped with four-wheel drive and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Ranger Wildtrak X 3.2L has a starting weight of 2287 kg. The HiLux offers responsive and firm steering without being overly aggressive. In less intense off-road scenarios, it's not hard to get a feel for where the front wheels are. When driven on an unpaved road, the SR5 takes on the appearance and demeanour of a vehicle at ease in its native environment.

Behind the wheel, the driver will notice that the 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine's output is about ordinary. A perfect score of five stars in the ANCAP's safety ratings for this HiLux model is a testament to its superiority in this regard. Seven airbags, stability, braking, and traction controls, a backup camera, and hill start aid are all included as standard features. Notably absent are blind-spot monitors and a back-cross-traffic warning system. The Toyota HiLux comes in 36 various models, which might be overwhelming for consumers.

The Workmate comes standard with a choice of a manual or an automatic transmission with six gears, and with the option of two or four wheels driven. Diesel engines are standard on the SR, SR5, Rogue, Rugged, and Rugged X. The SR5 pickup truck has a 7.0-inch touchscreen media player with built-in navigation and 18-inch alloy wheels. It's more than the $43,490 price of a Mitsubishi Triton GLX Plus or the $55,250 price of a Nissan Navara ST-X. Because of the high level of competition, it is beneficial to look at what other companies in the industry are offering.

It has 18-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, HID headlights, an LED light bar, a tub liner, a 12-volt outlet in the tub, and a hard roller top as standard equipment. The Toyota HiLux Wildtrak X is the top of the line model. Compared to the standard Wildtrak, Ford says this variant is worth $6,000. More reliable utes are the SsangYong Musso, Isuzu D-Max, and Mitsubishi Triton. Ford's warranty covers your vehicle for five years or unlimited miles. Every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, is how far you can go between service visits without exceeding your pricing cap.

Tow truck sales in the marine industry are dominated by the Toyota HiLux. But the Ranger is getting closer to a rival that is having some difficulty. Both vehicles' chassis are created with the intention of traversing rough terrain.

Content Summary

• Nevertheless, despite the fact that there are an increasing number of "Luxo" dual-cab utes on our roads, the Toyota Hilux Rogue and the Ford Ranger Wildtrak continue to be two of the very best examples that can be found.
• To find out, we put the popular SR5 4x4 model through a week of testing and compared it to the rest of the available options.
• When viewed from a distance, the additional chrome that is featured on the SR5's grille, door handles, bumpers, flashy 18-inch alloys, and sports bar set it apart from the other models in the HiLux range and give it the appearance of being a "top-spec" vehicle.
• The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X, like all dual-cab Ranger models, features a roomy cabin.
• In a recent comparison of towing capabilities, the Toyota HiLux came in second place behind the Ford Ranger in terms of available torque.
• The Toyota HiLux I tested for a week had a fuel consumption rate of 10.1 litres per 100 kilometres when driven on the highway, on rough terrain, and on a daily basis.
• According to Ford, the fuel consumption rate for the Ranger Wildtrak X 3.2L model is 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres, and the fuel tank capacity is 80 litres.
• The modern SR5 is a powerful on- and off-road pickup, but unlike other rivals, it prioritises performance over convenience.
• The Ford Ranger Wildtrak, along with the rest of the Ranger line-up, is a contender for the title of having the best safety specifications available for a pick-up truck in the industry.
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection is one of the standard safety features included on all Ranger models.
• Importantly, the update for the 2020 Toyota HiLux included standard automatic emergency braking (AEB), active cruise control (ACC), and lane departure warning (LDW) for all trim levels, which was a significant upgrade even for the base model.
• After adding all of the available add-ons, the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for our pickup truck was $59,840.
• This results in a price increase of $2,000 in comparison to the base model of the Wildtrak, but Ford claims that the purchase is worth an additional $6,000 in value.
• The already impressive list of standard features found on the Wildtrak is expanded even further with the addition of new styling accessories that come standard on the Wildtrak X.This grade comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, HID headlights, an LED light bar, and all of the Wildtrak X body additions (for more information, see the Design section), an integrated tow bar and wiring harness, a tub liner, a 12-volt outlet in the tub, a hard roller top, and the model-specific interior with part-leather trim and a dark headlining.
• When looking at the technical specifications and customer reviews of both the Toyota HiLux pick-up truck and the Ford Ranger ute, the Ranger pick-up truck comes out on top.
• The market for dual cab utes has traditionally been one in which very few changes are made to vehicles from one year to the next.
• Although the HiLux is the winner in this category, the Ranger is the winner when it comes to its driveability and overall user friendliness.