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September 12, 2020

2021 Toyota Hilux Conquest 4x4 vs Rivals


Amid a very competitive pickup truck landscape, Toyota Motor Philippines has just introduced its refreshed 2021 Hilux. With its upgraded powertrain and features, can it win against six other pickup trucks in the same price range? Let’s find out.

Here, we’re putting the top-grade Hilux Conquest 4x4 against the Chevrolet Colorado High Country Storm, Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4x4, Isuzu D-Max Boondock 4x4, Mazda BT-50 4x4, Mitsubishi Strada Athlete, and the Nissan Navara Sport Edition. The results are somewhat surprising.

Again, you can check the full table below or you can look through some of the more peculiar things we found.
  • Dimensionally, the Hilux is the widest of the bunch, though it’s the Chevrolet Colorado that’s the longest. Unsurprisingly, with its beefed-up suspension package, it’s the D-Max Boondock 4x4 that’s the tallest. In terms of wheelbase, the BT-50 and Ranger twins are the longest.
  • Here’s a shocker: the Hilux has the tallest ground clearance here at 279 mm. This is followed by D-Max Boondock and Nissan Navara.
  • With maximum water wading an important purchase consideration nowadays, the Colorado, Ranger, and BT-50 are all part of the important 800-mm club. This is followed by most pickups at 700 mm. The lowest? The D-Max at 650 mm.
  • Engine-wise, the BT-50 has the biggest displacement and the most number of cylinders here (it’s the Ranger’s old 3.2-liter inline-5), but in terms of maximum output, it’s the smallest engine here—the Ranger’s 2.0 Bi-Turbo that makes the most at 213 horsepower. The Ranger also has the most forward gears at 10, and is the only one with adaptive cruise control as standard. The others have 6, though the Navara has the odd 7th gear.
  • Given their workhorse setup, all the pickups here utilize a front independent double wishbone. Most, except for the Navara also use a rear leaf spring setup too. The Navara’s SUV-like five-link coil spring setup results in the best ride among the competition.
  • LED lighting tech is now becoming fairly common even in the pickup truck segment with all but the cheapest in this bunch, the BT-50 getting it. Ditto the comparatively large 18-inch wheels (again, the BT-50 loses out here with 17s).
  • In terms of creature comfort features, most offer interiors clad in leather seats (except, shockingly, the Hilux), push-button engine start/stop, and automatic climate control (some even offer dual zone control). It’s only the Navara and the Strada that get rear vents of some kind.
  • With most owners now using them as a leisure vehicle, convenience features across all trucks here are getting longer. Power seats and smartphone connectivity are starting to become commonplace. Thankfully for Toyota, they have embraced the magic of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; something that Isuzu and Mitsubishi have yet to.
  • In terms of safety, these pickup trucks have leveled up. However, the Hilux wins out the airbag wars. In terms of driver assist tech though, the Ford and Chevrolet leads the pack with their advanced driver assist tech. Oh, and only the Ranger offers active park assist.

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