Toyota HiLux MK7.I (2005-2008)

I was brand loyal til I drove this – Always had land cruisers til now. Many other cars. Used to race 4wd. Fully serviced low km. I do about 40000km yr town and country. Its one of the worst cars Ive driven. Show details

Very Reliable – Bought our 05 SR 4x4 extra cab new and so far it has done 201,000 Klms and it has never let us down. It’s been to Cape York, the Kimberlies, Birdsville Track 4 times, Flinders Ranges 3 times, the Oodnadatta Track 3 times, the Stretzleki Track 4 times,Uluru, Cameron’s Corner 3 times, Nth QLD to southern VIC , all this without even a getting a flat… Read more

tyre. We take it easy driving it and always service it at the recommended intervals. We are considering a new 2021 Hilux but are reluctant to sell something that is so trustworthy. Our friends are amazed at its record!

I will stick with my toyotas – Being a Toyota, it is reliable. It is comfortable to drive around town or on long runs, with a good driving position and good seats. The 3.0 litre turbo diesel is a great motor with ample power to tow heavy loads. We tow a scissor lift with no problems at all. The interior layout is good with ample storage and a great amount of cup holders, so you… Read more

never run out of coffee! Mine has a steel tray and tool box and runs in at about 2350kg. It has a standard 75 litre tank and with city driving the fuel light comes on at 520kms.

It has had the usual replacement battery, clutch was replaced after the throw out bearing holder collapsed. It has also had the clutch master and slave cylinders replaced, but at 270000km, I think that's pretty fair. Mine is an ex miner and that comes with seezed bolts and a chassis full of red mud. I would recommend buying one that isn't ex mining. I made a removable roof rack for the roo bar and the rear of the tray which is great for long lengths of pipe etc. All in all, I love my toyotas and I would always stay with the brand, as I really have always had a great run from them without the niggling problems that seem to haunt other brands

2006 series hilux 4wd not a patch on earlier models – I totally agree with 'FED UP' - my experience over the last 8 years has been that Toyota customer support is all but non existant. I had a stick penetrate through a rubber seal/grommet in the floor of my new Hilux 4WD, one month from new and the first time on a dirt road. It penetrated to the height of the rear passenger seat where my 11 yo son… Read more

had been sitting 15 mins prior. This was a serious incident and very much a 'near miss'. Toyota did not want to know me and basically shut down any communication with me.

On the vehicle generally, it does not even compare to my earlier 1992, 2.8L diesel model which was a great vehicle on / off road.

The 2006 model is a totally different vehicle - different engine, gearbox, clutch, suspension, clearance / everything. The 3L turbo engine is nice on the road, better on hills towing a boat or trailer but that is about it. The clutch leaves a lot to be desired - sluggish and requires extra revs just to get out of the driveway. Try taking off on a hill with a load and you have to rev the guts out the vehicle and ride the clutch to get it to respond, and thats been the case since new. Clearance at the front end and body line between the wheels is rubbish and does not compare to earlier models - therefore hopless in any half serious off raod scenario. The gear box is also much higher geared and does not 'crawl' like the old vehicle. I have bottomed so many times I have no confidence in it. The 1992 model never bottomed out in 14 years. Two recvalls since new, including the spiral cable (airbags) highlights other issues. At 105,00klms the Alternator died ($900) and when I was having that replaced they found the water pump was almost gone as well (another $900). Twelve months later at 125,000klms and the clutch has died (quote approx $1,200). So much for the "unbreakable Hilux". Toyota have lost their edge and need to listen to the Customer, their comments and complaints and provide some "real" after market service and support. And of course now they are leaving Australia - time for Australians to leave Toyota I say and I have been a Toyota supporter for a long time, but not a blind supporter.

2005 Hilux SR5 4.0 V6 Auto 4 door 5 seat – The Hilux has done 270,000km, it was a company car I bought with 230,000 on the clock. I've owned for about 18 mths. If they had put tape over the odometer when I bought the ute I would have guessed it read between 30,000 to 50,000. It was used and grubby, but everything felt near new as far as wear and use went. I have had many cars over the … Read more ·  3

35 years I've been driving, and drove hundreds more (rentals etc) for work, this is the best high km vehicle I have driven. Freinds have mistken it for brand new.

I do my own servicing, and I often just lie there underneath the hilux and admire the perfect , dry, leak free undercarriage. That may well sound funny, but before I switched brands I grew accustomed to lying there making making notes about what needs fixing and in what priority! Now its an oil change, and a huge sense of relief.

The engine is super smooth, super quiet, docile when you need that, but with real overtaking performance when you need that. Unbelievable they are P Plate legal. It is brilliantly matched to the 5speed auto. Smoothest engine /transmission combo. Inside, the cabin is well built, and roomy, good sound system, everything as it should be. I have had comfier seats ... but they are not bad. ABS fitted and good lights.

All the gadgets work as new, total reliability, easy and smooth to drive, 11L ULP 91 per 100km, great car. I can't imagine parting with it anytime soon. Smoothest of engines /transmissions, comfy, powerfull, spacious, well appointed, tough and well engineered. Driver seat cushion could give better support, local spare parts guy starving to death :-)

Best car Ive ever owned! – The car gets used day to day wether being for travel to work, four wheel driving or long drives it never misses a beat, being well looked after and serviced when need be its never given me any major issues. Strong engine and just a tough 4x4, would not change it! Show details

Great vehicle – Purchased my 05 turbo diesel hilux with 261,000k's on it injectors had been done at 245,000 apart from the usual costs associated with a 14 year old vehicle runs a treat serviced regularly 7500 -10000ks now up to 345,000k's used for work, off the beaten track and towing the tinny wondering how many more k's it will run for? Show details

2008 HiLux 3 litre turbo diesel – I bought my 2008 HiLux two years ago, and have been extremely impressed with it ever since. I am 6 ft 6in (198 cms) and find I have plenty of room to drive the vehicle for long distances easily. It had 299,000 kms on the speedo when I bought it, and it has now done 380,000 kms. In the past 2 years, I have been from Canberra to Kakadu and the… Read more

Kimberly's twice and Central Australia 3 times. I have also been to the Flinders Ranges twice. I have had a 130 l tank fitted, a bull bar, 2 in lift, and in the 80,000 kms I have driven, the vehicle has never let me down at all. One puncture in 80,000 kms. On one occasion, I drover from Broome (WA) to Canberra in 5 days, and I did relatively easily. Fantastic vehicle - service it regularly, don't thrash it, and it will last forever

Review of our 4 wheel drive – We got this 4 wheel drive vehicle last year and it’s great but the leg room is good but one of our 12v sockets don’t work in the Vehicle and we have a tow ball for towing our camper van and a stability control in 4 wheel drive as well and 6 cd stacker player with fm and am radio and good room in back of the 4 wheel drive to put our shopping into and good leg room.and Seat belts in back are sometimes lock on me it’s annoying  Show details

2007 SR5 - Issues – Purchase my 2007 SR5 hilux from brand new. Was ALWAYS serviced and regularly maintained. At 170klms it got the injector problem which stuffed the motor. Thanks toyota for providing advice on this as they always knew this was a problem as they have done recalls in other countries however they stayed mute and not even was I advised of the issue… Read more

when it was being serviced. Otherwise I would of rectified the problem before stuffing a good engine. It also had issues when towing.. the automatic transmission would overheat and the warning light would come on on the dash. When you pay a bit more for toyota you expect quality. Given Toyota did not do the recall I believe their are morale issues with the company - why would you want your cusotmers to have to deal with the problem after the engine has destroyed iteself

Clutch, gearbox and differential design problems – It seems that 250, 000 kms is when the manual gearbox and differential fail, no matter how gently you drive and service them according to any 4WD wrecker that you ask. I used to race and service my own car, so I have great respect for servicing and treating the mechanicals with respect while driving, because it cost's a crap load of $ being… Read more

ignorant. Guess what, with the best synthetic oils and friction modifiers that Group A teams use, the rear differential pinion spacer still collapsed with all towing, and the gearbox wined like an ex wife.

Spoke to a lot of 4wd wreckers for parts and they all said it's a common problem with Hilux's, get over it because it's a crap design for the gearbox and differential with cheap parts used in manufacture.

Unbreakable? Lie! What a poorly designed vehicle that just perpetuates the spare parts $ cycle for Toyota.

Would I purchase another Hilux? No hope in hell.

Toyota vehicles are better – We only own Toyota vehicles for work and personal use at this time and will only buy Toyota vehicles in the near future! We find they are more reliable and last a lot longer without repairs or replacing broken items! They just seem to be better quality and more reliable over a long period of time than other brand vehicles! Melville Lock… Read more

Service highly recommend Toyota hilux and other Toyota vehicles!

Mark Berkovic

Melville Lock Service

0408404048

Tough and Durable – We brought the Toyota SR5 in 2005. this purchase has been amazing. The vehicle has always been a strong kicker, had a few minor hiccups but once repaired, no further problems. 13 years later this car has gone through hell being a fleet vehicle. and it is still holding strong, had a few tricky issues with the internal cab fan but again fixed twice and no problems, This 2005 model will go on forever with expected maintenance for its age.  Show details

toyota hilux v6 4.0 litre – have owned this hilux for the past 9 years and will never ever buy another ute ,only Toyota this ute is a beast has never ever broken down I have done 670,000km and still goes as new never changed clutch , I got no words for the hilux v6 4.0.l such a good ute its a 5 speed manual I use Castrol magnetic oil 10/40 the only problem that I… Read more

have is the clutch bearing is bit noisy when I realise the clutch pedal but this has been happening for the past 7 years so I don't care it keeps up with v8 this ute is amazing

Was reliable until the motor ceased – I've always been a Toyota man and have had a mix of hilux' and hi-ace's. I owned a 2007 turbo diesel 2x4 hilux, I bought it from a Toyota dealer with 170,000km on the clock. The car was serviced regularly and maintained, it was reliable and drive well up until it hit 200,000km where it decided to cease up on me in the middle of the freeway. The… Read more

mechanic told me it was from the injectors that leaked and cause the oil sump pickup to clog. Apparently this is a common problem in the 05-07 turbo diesel hilux 's. Since Toyota have moved their manufacturing to Thailand these cars have lost all their reliability and quality. I will never own another Post 2005 hilux again. stay away from the turbo diesels.

Unbreakable workhorse – I've owned a lot of cars, but my 2005 Hilux SR with optional tradepack, would have to be the best so far. The 5 speed auto is a peach & mated to the 4ltr V6, torque & power are perfectly matched for fuel economy, good interior, ample leg room. It has travelled 245,000Km & is as tight as the day it rolled off the line. I'll keep this one, I don't… Read more

see the need to replace it. If you're looking for a good reliable, comfortable & practical ute, this is the one.

Unbreakable – I have v6 2006 oct series. hit 300000 kms and have only just changed suspension and springs, im a roofer and has never let me down. mind you I wish Toyota would sell upgraded hilux rather than me having to go to all the trouble of shopping around for accessories. have driven all other types of utes and found them to be rubbish, but lets face it, you will always come across lemons in every make and model, I susppose I was just lucky  Show details

Extremely durable – I am a miner in northern Sweden. We drive mostly Toyota hilux in underground mining to get to workplaces and for service personnel etc. These cars stay underground almost all the time, and we are doing 5-shifts at my workplace. This means that each car has up to 25 different drivers. They run on gravel roads 1000 meter underground in extremely… Read more

dirty and hard conditions. The slopeways incline 10%. There is never any problems with the hiluxes in our workplace. many of us drive them like they are stolen.

Sad hilux – I have a 2005 turbo hilux sr5 automatic it's a good truck. But I'm having trouble with it . It stalls at lights it stalls when you are driving slow. You can tell it's about to do it. It gets real rattley and stops it starts up straight away but sometimes you can go for weeks with out a problem .and then it's starts playing up again do anyone know… Read more

what's wrong with it. It's a good handling 4wd on road and off road The air bag light stays on and it rattles on startup and it's stalling

Reliable – I've had this Hilux from new in late 05 and it's only been back to the dealer once for a recall. The biggest problem with it was the dash clock falling into the dashboard when adjusting it. Oh yes, and the fuel economy isn't great. The 2.7 motor started off at 13l/100km new around town and now it's around 12.2. Basic, easy to service, comfortable bucket seat, powerful enough.  Show details

For Work or Play – I purchased my 2005 V6 Auto Hilux about 18 months ago with 80000klms, don't let every one tell you that they are thirsty compared to the diesel, it is smooth, quite and not smelly or messy at the fuel bowser and a pleasure to drive, the economy depends on how you drive it, at over $7500 for a diesel injector pump I will stick to a petrol any day,… Read more ·  1

I have also done a fair bit of towing, I love the 5 speed Auto it's a breeze, Smooth Auto, Powerful V6, Resale Value, Not as good off-road Standard as there use to be,

Diesel injectors bad – Bought new late 2007 manual 2 WD for work and has been great. Had to change rubbish 15'' wheels for 19'' at the dealer which transformed the handling from awful to excellent. Gearbox,power,clutch all good.Can take hands off steering wheel at 100 kph and it still drives perfectly straight,tires lasted 70000 km. The big problem is diesel bye passing… Read more

fuel injector seals and getting into oil sump. Toyota dealers refused to pay for new injectors, at 70000 km it went into limp mode and had to be fixed. Dealer replaced injector seals but still sounded like a old tractor and charged me over $500 bucks. The rattle was so loud with cold engine it sounded like it was falling apart. I took it to a diesel workshop and they said ''oh oxygen sensor in air filter box dirty'' cleaned it and it runs much better. Toyota workshop was total rubbish on their own product. Lots of these motors blown up due to fuel in the sump making sludge that blocks oil intake and no oil to engine blows it up, needing new engine. Overall a good truck, broken down once in 6 years. fuel injector design defect that Toyota refuse to recall and fix

on my clock tells me 9.9 to 100k not true 12L to 100k – Sr5 D4D king cab if I have air con on 13 .5L to ever 100k thats just me in the car driven at 60kl so were can I get 1 that cam do 8.5L to 100k .an I have trd chip fule saver on isit im driver 2 slow .?? Or isit the wait of the spair wheel lol . I havent had any ploblems but eats 2 much fule bad fule consumption 3LD auto thats just idealing around Show details

Awesome Toyotas – These things keep on going and going....Fix it if broken...then keep going and going and going, When they have broken down its due to old age or I'm to lazy to work on it....My 70s Hiace brought it for $800 had a head go on it, $80 bucks NZ dollars- fitted another head my self and away we went, sold that for $1500, brought an 89 Hiace used as a… Read more ·  3

courier vehicle, Later I Upgraded to 1998 Model Brand New, Had that for 2 years my father ended up with that one and still has to date, In Mint Condition - Never misses a beat 350,000 plus KM on it. i missed that one so much i went out and brought a Neglected 2001 Hiace, Tidied it up, Serviced it myself and starts as soon as that key is on and the Glow plug light goes out Starts within 0.3 secs..Very Reliable. Now I have just brought a 2007 Hilux 4x2 3.0L Turbo Diesel Mint condition and Loving it already, Cheaper to Run than my 2001 Hiace but time to sell that now. Toyota- Reliable like a good Old Horse. Wish my New Hilux came with the Electric Mirrors, Everything else on it works great

No problems – 2005 D4D 3.0L single cab 2wd. purchased with 50k and owned for 6 yrs now 160k. Had it regularly serviced at toyota until they wouldn't take half payment for 150k service with the balance paid a week later. I had been going to the same toyota service centre for 12yrs. Service at local mechanic was $350 cheaper than toyota. I have not had 1 problem… Read more ·  1

with this vehicle in the 6 yrs i've owned it. carries a load without any problems, and i would recommend these vehicles to anyone. only small complaint i have is beeper goes off with door open and key in ignition reliable, fantastic economy, great power toyota service too expensive

every 4 month for 5 times it gave me trouble. 3L T.D single cab – clutch won't come out 2times stop on road. 700-900 each time Airbag light stay on 850 Oil lick on back 2times will 450 each time And 195/xx/15 tire get cut on side so many times with about 650kg loading on tray changed 3tires and got 205/xx/15 tire and no cut on side after that. If doing heavyweight loading all the time upgrade size. Same brand… Read more

tire from new power, good motor oil lick on will, clutch, break and Airbag warning light, tire size can handle wait of loading

Excellent car – The toyota hilux 2007 is very spacious so it can be used for work,family and social needs.It is very useful when we have to carry a large variety of different materials for both work and family needs.Along with this we found it very powerful and although its a big car its easy to drive as well as being very economic in petrol Very economic

Very breakable hilux – I've owned hiluxs exclusively for over 30 years - after 400,000kms traded my much loved and reliable 1989 2.8L diesel on a 2007 dual cab 3L turbo D4D. What a frustrating and expensive mistake - the D4D is a lemon. Its now done just 72000kms - log book records show it uses 40% more fuel than old 'lux, engine rattles loudly for up to 10 minutes… Read more

after start up and when motor pushed (this after new injector by Toyota $1300) even though I put a Racor in line fuel filter just after I got it in addition to the factory fitted one, now clutch needs replacing Toyota want $1300, the doors no longer stay open another $850, they want $200 for aircon regassing but they cant get the fan to work relaibly, So despite putting over $15000 into it with add-ons - snorkel, 2" lift kit, dual battery, winch, water tanks, bull bar, tray back and canopy etc I cant trust it to do remote travel (Simpson desert, Canning Stock Route) - which is what I set it up for - so it has to go and I'll can cut my losses!!! Looks good but thats all Unreliable, costly repairs, appalling fuel econonmy, injectors, clutch, doors wont stay open, aircon fails

My best car from 19 owned – Bought my sr5 extra cab 4x4 when it was just released june 2005,its the 4L v6,I fitted LPG 5 years ago and it goes great,80,000klms and not one issue,yes there were a couple of recals for tail shaft and bonnet catch,but Toyota hounded me to bring it in to have them fixed,I only had them rectified 5 months ago,credit to toyota for being persistant… Read more

to fix things.

Only thing I don't like is the drivers seat gets a bit uncomfortable on long trips and original H/T tyres woeful,replaced with A/T duelers makes a completely different ute.The petrol does not seem to have the issues that some diesels are having.Highly recomend the hilux even though it is one of the most expensive it is well engineered and built.Very pleased with my investment. Powerful,reliable,low service cost,quiet fuel efficient for size Drivers seat can get uncomfortable on long trips,poor tyres for top shelf model.

Love it – Bought a 2006 SR5 3 Ltr Turbo Diesel new and have never had a problem with it. Never had it serviced at Toyota though! Have travelled 130,000kms towing a van for the last 5 years. Great fuel comsuption. We have the extra cab which is very roomy, I have travelled 8 hours in the back seat with no problem. We bought the style side but now wish it was… Read more

a tray back, mainly for better storage though with a canopy on it we manage to fit in everything we need. One thing I hate though is there is only one drink holder. The other thing I find hard to understand is that they have only gone up to 2.5 tonne towing, every other ute is 3 tonne. This would probably stop us buying another one. Looking at updating to the GXL tray back ute. We don't really go off road much so can't comment there. Reliable, still looks like new and we find it really comfortable on long trips. Towing capacity sucks, only 2.5 tonne, now! Ours is 2.25 tonne. Only one drink holder!!

Unbreakable.. not! – My hilux is a 2007 sr5 extra cab...it is coming up to 85000 k...had three clutches in it...hardest thing it ever did was to tow the boat ten k to the boat ramp..last time it went back to have a look what went wrong with their updated clutch kit they decided to machine the flywheel to fix it,they then asked for a grand for works done,i refused told… Read more

them to keep it which they did for a few days then decided to give it back..now its due for new injectors at present..start it in the morn and sounds like its ready to self destruct..if u buy one put a pre fuel filter on it early in its life..injectors at Mackay Toyota $995 each, got mine on Ebay cheaper..Car is in immaculate condition and serviced regularly only for the fact that i have put to much into it i would flog it off..long gone is the time when your trusty old toyota will do half a million k without putting a spanner to them..thai toyota not so unbreakable!

clutch,injectors, very very expensive dealer parts

Disappointed – I brought a new cab/chassis 4x4 in ‘06. A delight to drive on road; poor off road. The fuel tank guard isn’t mounted at the front and mine tore off at about 60 in water 100mm deep on bitumen. “Driver miss-use” claimed Toyota. Truck tough?? Maybe, if you avoid driving in rain! Uni joints and center tail shaft bearing needed replacing at 40000… Read more

Chassis seems to twist if parked with a rear wheel on a mound and with a moderate load of camping gear (Canopy side doors jam in that situation)

For the first time I am disappointed in a Toyota. (my 4th new one) On road performance. Tows caravan very well. Comfortable bucket seats Off road front end is soft and pitches, Not tough. Warranty support poor.

Terrible – tThis may seem like a good work truck to get, but it has a number of let downs. If youre going to be driving in this for a number of hours per day you probably want to get a pillow to sit on as the ride is very rough and uncomfortable no matter how i tried to adjust the seat. Its also let down by the engine which doesnt seem to be able to pul the… Read more

wight of the cab and only 2 other occupants.

For a work truck id probably have to look elsewhere. Lots of space for 4 people and your gear. Very rough ride. Build quality was not of a hig standard as when i took a test drive i heard constant rattle from the front and front console was loose.

Excellent – This is a brilliant car, truck, that looks great & sporty. It drives like a car, sits on the road like a toy 4X4, yet is a fully fledged work horse. I hate big cars yet feel right at home in it. This car is great for city driving, loves off road and tows like a champion! It is an absolute pleasure to drive. I would recommend one to anyone,… Read more

anytime. Awesome to drive, serious 4X4 that drives like a car. I traded a Mazda 3 for my Luxy. I am a lady driver and own the Turbo Diesel. Great to drive around the city. Yet has the grunt for my large horses, I am consistantly towing 2 ton with it. I hardly even notice the horses on it. Suprisingly my horse floats better behind this then the cruiser. I much prefer driving this then a cruiser as it has the grunt to tow but not as massive and awkward. We took it off road 40kms in the sand and it loved it... Did not miss a beat. I can not get my boyfriend or my dad to get out of it!!!