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Throughout the history of bakkies offered in South Africa, the Toyota Hilux has consistently upheld a solid reputation for unmatched dependability. This has contributed to its continued popularity on the monthly sales sheets.
In January alone, 2,645 units of the Hilux were sold, once again securing its position as the top-selling bakkie despite its older design architecture. This is followed by the Ford Ranger, which maintains strong sales behind the Hilux every month. The enduring appeal of the Hilux highlights the demand for dependable and durable vehicles in the market. For a good reason, this is something that Toyota has cemented over the years.
This brings us to the subject at hand, the new Hilux Raider X, which is based on the 2.4 GD-6 4x4 variant and built for a limited period only. What does it bring to the table where 4x4 variants of the Ford Ranger SiT double cab XLT, the Isuzu D-Max LTD, and the GWM P-Series 2.0TD double cab LTD, to name a few, live? You ask.
Well, it does look stunning, but nothing here is out of the norm. It comes fitted with chunky matte black overfenders with red insert detailing, a matte black styling bar, an integrated tonneau cover, and I counted four Raider X badges on the outside.
Additionally, it adds 17-inch bi-tone alloy wheels for even more appeal. Sadly, that's where it ends. Excitement enough?
The interior of the current model, which has been around for eight years, continues to be workmanlike and elegant in typical practical Hilux fashion. Nothing here screams ‘special’, except for the Raider X logo pasted on the centre console, which looks like an afterthought.
Everything else from the donor car has been carried over, such as the hard, scratchy materials, a coarse leather multi-function steering wheel, cloth-wrapped seats, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While I would have loved a rear USB port, there is a single port in the front.
The enduring success of the Hilux is rooted in its longevity, and the Raider X exemplifies this trait. The vehicle’s construction exudes a sense of robustness, with each switch and control functioning with remarkable precision. Right from these initial interactions, even before driving, one starts to understand why the Hilux is one of the most popular bakkies in all of SA.
Despite its ageing but reliable architecture, the Hilux Raider X handles business with ease. The 2.4-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 110kW and 400Nm has sufficient power, and it makes sense why it has been a trusted powerhouse throughout the years and in Hilux variants.
Toyota says you can have the Raider X with a 6-speed manual transmission; in this application, though, the 6-speed auto box fitted in our tester performed remarkably well. The former, with its very old-school feel, would, I reckon, be a more popular option for buyers looking for a more traditional feel and better driver engagement.
Furthermore, the Raider X demonstrated commendable proficiency in handling a variety of tasks, ranging from aiding in the collection of magazines from our depot to facilitating our relocation to a new residence. It is noteworthy that the vehicle’s rear suspension is considerably rigid, a feature that proved beneficial in effortlessly transporting two pallets of magazines.
Consequently, the vehicle exhibits a light judder when going over speed bumps and rough terrain, a characteristic commonly observed in most bakkies.
Here comes the tricky part and, for once, I chose to sound controversial. The justification for the Hilux Raider X’s existence appears unclear, primarily due to the lack of unique features that would eclipse what other marques offer, some of which may provide outstanding equipment. Secondly, a product with limited availability should ideally vest a sense of exclusivity in its owner.
In my assessment, the Raider X seems to lack the requisite flair, and the brand could have exerted additional efforts to make it special. Though it's a hard pill to swallow, I believe Toyota missed out on a distinction opportunity here.
Toyota asks R704,300 for this particular unit with an automatic gearbox, and you can have the stick shift for approximately R30,000 less, bringing the price down to R674,800. All in all, the Hilux in general is a legend in its own right that continues to assert its dominance in the work-meets-leisure market.
The Raider X may lack flair, but it contributes significantly to maintaining the relevance of the Hilux brand within the segment.
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