Toyota Now Has A Proper Rival For The Colorado ZR2

TheToyota Hiluxis forbidden fruit in the USA, but that doesn't mean we can't take a peek at the third-world's favorite pickup truck every once in a while.

It made the news this week after Toyota Australia introduced the upcoming Hilux Rogue, which will go head-to-head with the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, also sold in Oz. Toyota has done this sort of thing before, and it failed. TheGazoo Racing Hiluxwas introduced in 2018 and featured ghastly stickers and a stiffer front suspension, resulting in a terrible gravel driving experience.

The changes to the Rogue are more substantial, however. While the power output of the 2.8-liter turbocharged four-pot diesel remains unchanged, you canadd at least 10%to the standard 201 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque via a simple ECU tune.

Instead of simply adding stiffer springs and dampers to the front, this time, the Hilux has been graced with a wider track and an updated suspension package. The front and rear tracks have been widened by 5.5 inches, which is a lot. That alone will significantly impact stability at high speeds on gravel.

The ride height has been increased by 0.8 inches to improve the off-road ability. Not as impressive, but the Hilux wasn't lacking in that particular department.

“重大suspension upgrades to the Hilux Rogue not only improve off-road capability but create a more stable and comfortable on-road driving experience," said Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing, and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley.