Thread: New Hilux auto vs manual

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Yeah I was looking at that - had a closer look and it might only be manual ones with the price drop, so that might be a factor too.

Nothing wrong with a manual mate

Originally Posted by Bush Basher

Nothing wrong with a manual mate

Yeah the only reason I started considering an auto Hilux was the extra grunt they give it, generally I like manuals much better - only ever owned one auto but driven plenty.

I can see why auto appeals to people who live in cities with stop-start traffic driving etc, but that's not me.

Just spoke to them can get red blue amd black 4wd with a canopy tow bar..58k. That's not bad but only manuals. He said the new ones are part hybrid .

The cynic in me wants to know what the 4x4 hybrids go like on river crossings!

Originally Posted by No.3

The cynic in me wants to know what the 4x4 hybrids go like on river crossings!

Either 700 or 750mm wading depth can't remember which

A 5 year old diesel Hilux will be just run in.

A 5 year old hybrid Hilux will have a 5 year old battery that will be close to rooted.

From what I've heard the new hybrid ones are a pretty token hybrid system so they can claim greeny points (and lower tax etc in some countries) without actually doing too much.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

From what I've heard the new hybrid ones are a very token hybrid system so they can claim greeny points (and lower tax etc in some countries) without actually doing too much.

Fixed it for you

Haha... I'd say the claimed wading depth is with the back end fully empty, calm warm water and not on a rocky bottom with nice smooth entries and exits. I.e. perfect conditions...

A bit of the old SI 2 degC water hitting the pack vents and causing everything to shrink up in fright like ya balls hitting the winter ocean for the first time and we will be seeing a few failures.

Having said that, if the electric assist motor section was bolted on in front of the rear diff and set up in such a way that you could use it as an electromagnetic brake for towing downhill that would be the ducks nuts. It would also be bloody good for assisting the thing off the line with a heavy trailer behind, no more 4 second pauses at the roundabouts when you plant your hoof!

Originally Posted by No.3

Haha... I'd say the claimed wading depth is with the back end fully empty, calm warm water and not on a rocky bottom with nice smooth entries and exits. I.e. perfect conditions...

A bit of the old SI 2 degC water hitting the pack vents and causing everything to shrink up in fright like ya balls hitting the winter ocean for the first time and we will be seeing a few failures.

Having said that, if the electric assist motor section was bolted on in front of the rear diff and set up in such a way that you could use it as an electromagnetic brake for towing downhill that would be the ducks nuts. It would also be bloody good for assisting the thing off the line with a heavy trailer behind, no more 4 second pauses at the roundabouts when you plant your hoof!

Even more reason to go for a new manual rather than an auto

I don't own a Hilux as I'm not a millionaire but I do like the manual ute I do own have driven quite a few auto ones and the Biturbo version powered by Singer and I will be keeping the manual one for as long as possible.

I do know that in the future I probably won't have the choice and I'll cry about it then.

I was a manual guy. Last truck was a Holden Colorado in manual. I got to drive a few manual and auto hiluxes for a good bit when we were getting rentals for work jobs. I then got my latest 22 hilux in auto and I doubt i’ll go back to manual.

I had a 2023 auto Hilux on loan for a while last year - great to drive in town, on the open road and for the little bit of gravel road driving I did. I do own a manual 70 series so more than happy to drive a manual but I didn't feel like I was missing anything ...