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.
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.”
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?