Friday, 23 August 2019 12:30

Hilux upgrade scores well

Written by  Mark Daniel

In its first test in 2015 the eighth generation Toyota Hilux gained a 5-star ANCAP rating.

It was recently re-submitted for testing against the more stringent 2019 criteria and the venerable ute again came away with 5 stars.

The upgraded ANCAP rating stems from a bunch of mid-life safety additions. 

These include autonomous emergency braking capable of detecting and reacting to other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists; active lane keep; and an advanced speed assistance system fitted as standard on all variants of the vehicle.

In the tests the Hilux achieved 96% for adult occupant protection. This was enhanced by fitting rear seat belt pre-tensioners and an occupant detection system. Now the ute is rated 87% for child occupant protection in dual-cabs, 88% for pedestrian protection and 78% for its safety assist features.

AA motoring services general manager Stella Stocks commended Toyota for its proactive safety approach, particularly as utes are increasingly used for work and family duties. 

“We wouldn’t normally see such significant safety upgrades like this until a new model or generation of a vehicle,” Stocks said. “Now New Zealanders in the market for a Hilux can be assured they’re getting the latest advances in vehicle safety.”

More like this

Enhanced Hilux hits the spot

The war for supremacy in the ute market is still being waged by market leaders Toyota and Ford, with the Hilux and Ranger.

Mako goes after Raptor

With Ford holding the reins of the ute market since about 2014, it was always going to be a case of when – not if – Toyota NZ would deliver a model to compete.

Featured

Awards celebrate rural sports talent

At a gala evening held at Palmerston North in March, the sporting and rural communities came together to celebrate the Ford New Zealand Rural Sports Awards.

New CEO for FAR

The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) has appointed Dr Scott Champion as its new chief executive.

New genetic tool for beef farmers

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has launched a powerful new tool to help commercial beef farmers select the best bulls for their farm businesses.

National

Machinery & Products

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

Grabbing bales made quick and easy

Front end loader and implement specialist Quicke has introduced the new Unigrip L+ and XL+ next-generation bale grabs, designed for…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Risky business

OPINION: In the same way that even a stopped clock is right twice a day, economists sometimes get it right.

Should've waited

OPINION: The proposed RMA reforms took a while to drop but were well signaled after the election.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter