New Hilux auto vs manual

Haven't dropped in here in a long time, how is everyone these days?

Anyone have experience of both auto and manual versions of the current model Hilux to give a comparison? Potentially getting a new Hilux work ute soon (currently chugging around in a 2014 Hilux) and tossing up whether to angle for manual or auto, though it may depend on availability too.

For the most part I'm a manual guy through and through, most auto cars end up irritating me to varying degrees. I do minimal city traffic driving, plenty of twisty hilly roads and gravel, and a bit of actual off-road stuff for both work and play. Only occasional towing.

In general manual suits me best and I enjoy it more, I prefer the direct control rather than waiting for a computer to second-guess what I want to do. So my first thought was to go for a manual one if I can.

But the current Hilux has a really big torque difference between the auto and manual, 500Nm auto vs 420Nm manual. I'm guessing the manual is detuned/torque limited to protect the gearbox, and can't help wondering if everything is just optimised more for the auto with the manual as an afterthought option for traditionalists.

Anyone driven both to give some feedback, do you notice the torque difference much or is it mostly balanced out by auto slush-factor vs more direct response of a manual?

several mechanic friends who should know have told me with these modern diesels go auto they handle the power better - and one can shift manually to some degree with them

My son n law(mechanic) and neighbor have new auto hiluxs.Great on the river beds n hills.Plenty of power for towing heavey loads.LOt of hi tech in them tho.

Have a manual 2018 hilux personally and a 2021 auto for work. Overall think the auto is far superior both off road and on road. This is from a dyed in the wool auto driver!

It's not the box - it's the clutch they are trying to protect. Also the manual is only available in base line models.

Toyota do have a history with clutch replacements with the hiluxs, although rumor has it that most of the modern drivers only think they can drive a manual box. As far as availability, you'll be waiting at least June for an auto version and probably more depending on model as I hear - although they have manuals in the bottom spec only needing a tray or deck added on the lots now.

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Originally Posted by No.3

It's not the box - it's the clutch they are trying to protect. Also the manual is only available in base line models.

Toyota do have a history with clutch replacements with the hiluxs, although rumor has it that most of the modern drivers only think they can drive a manual box. As far as availability, you'll be waiting at least June for an auto version and probably more depending on model as I hear - although they have manuals in the bottom spec only needing a tray or deck added on the lots now.

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Cheers, they show SR and SR5 spec in manual or auto, its only the fancy ones (cruiser and GR) that are auto only and they're a fair bit pricier anyway. SR5 is probably as high a trim level as the bosses will approve for a work truck anyway!

Waiting for confirmation from bosses before I start asking the dealer about availability etc, one of them might still decide to get a new one themselves and give me a hand-me-down instead.

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Originally Posted by No.3

It's not the box - it's the clutch they are trying to protect. Also the manual is only available in base line models.

Toyota do have a history with clutch replacements with the hiluxs, although rumor has it that most of the modern drivers only think they can drive a manual box. As far as availability, you'll be waiting at least June for an auto version and probably more depending on model as I hear - although they have manuals in the bottom spec only needing a tray or deck added on the lots now.

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Nah. You can get them but colour choice is limited. They only had blue available a couple of weeks ago. I was looking.

Good to see you back GB.

A year ago, I was asking myself the same question ‘should I go for an auto instead’. I couldn’t decide on paper so gave both a decent test run where the vehicle in question was a 2023 4x4 Hilux SR – the poverty pack model.

Firstly, I had only ever owned manual, preferred it, and could never see myself buying an auto so I was almost certainly going to buy a manual. After a few days in different Utes, I ended up in an auto and have never regretted it......

Quick notes:

Auto has noticeably more torque, was better climbing hills loaded and towing.

Manual is a 6-speed box, takes some adjusting if your used to 5 and gear ratio’s felt like I was forever changing gear. Even though I like driving, it become tiring continually shifting cogs.

I almost always use the tiptronic do hicky to control what gear I’m in for anything other than crawling around town. Response wise I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest there’s not a lot of difference between a manual box. Theres a saying that they don’t make them like the used to and in this case, and when it comes to automatic transmissions, I say thank god for that! But these newer ones seem to be pretty good at changing when you want them to.

Theres a power mode switch on the new ones that really wake it up, combine with the Tiptronic no manual version will beat it to 100kmph (if that’s important to you)

I was skeptical/concerned about the increased fuel consumption but that hasn’t really eventuated. After 35,000km I’m averaging 8.9l/100 and that includes a considerable amount of towing and 4WDing.

I reckon you won’t be disappointed with an auto, but get in both and give them a run at the dealer if you can.

I have a 21 manual Hilux, it has done 45000K & average speed is only 37kph

I use 4wd on gravel & off road which is pretty often

It is sitting on 8.5 litres per 100kms pretty decent, I have never seen an auto locally near that, I have driven a few & dislike the auto a lot

The new up coming model of Hilux still has a manual availible on the SR5 model & below

The new autos have a mild hybrid to with stop/start reduce emissions & provide a wee bit of power/torque when required, it is driven off the motor

I will be getting a replacement SR5 manual in May hopefully it is better than the current one as it was better than its predecessor :)

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Nah. You can get them but colour choice is limited. They only had blue available a couple of weeks ago. I was looking.

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Three weeks ago white was available too, might have changed though?

Oh am looking also but 2nd hand 22..23 model.. are they the same for a sr5. Was looking manual but seems auto could be better option.

The autos are far nicer to drive. They're also far more popular. You can only get manuals in particular models.
And the single cabs and extra cabs come in auto only now as well.

Toyota restricted the power delivered because they know if they opened it right up the drive train wouldn't be able to handle it.
The clutch issues were only with the early shaggers with the 9" assembly which didn't have enough clamping pressure. The later had an 11" which wasn't a problem unless you were a dick.

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Originally Posted by cambo

The autos are far nicer to drive. They're also far more popular. You can only get manuals in particular models.
And the single cabs and extra cabs come in auto only now as well.

Toyota restricted the power delivered because they know if they opened it right up the drive train wouldn't be able to handle it.
The clutch issues were only with the early shaggers with the 9" assembly which didn't have enough clamping pressure. The later had an 11" which wasn't a problem unless you were a dick.

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Yeah, goes back to that comment about people thinking they can drive a manual... What we found with them is we used to use 2L (4L selected with the front hubs disengaged so you don't lock up the front wheels) and use that for backing trailers up hills around corners and on boat ramps etc - much nicer on the clutch and driveline. With the newer 'I'm not going to let you drive me' models you don't have that as an option and the clutches just... refused. Now it's a case of 4L selected, with the every 20 or so m doing a little 4H/fwd/unlock everything movement then continue reversing on 4L.

Otherwise you get to the point the engine stalls even in the auto's - quite amusing for everyone else to be fair but an utter pain in the arse for you as the driver. We never had this issue back in the day of the 2.8L non-turbo'd asthmatic constipated utes - they were dangerous on the open road through being completely gutless but didn't have the issues you get now on the site. I'll admit though that these issues just don't affect the majority of users who can't think and just want to jump in, start, stomp and go.

Price reduction on some models of Hilux's right now...?

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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.

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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.

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Nothing wrong with a manual mate

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Originally Posted by Bush Basher

Nothing wrong with a manual mate

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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!

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Originally Posted by No.3

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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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 ...

Never updated this did I...

I test drove an auto, it wasn't bad but still had enough of the traditional auto delay (where it pauses to think about things for a moment or two before deciding what to do and responding) to annoy me a little.

Then I found out I was choosing between SR5 manual and SR auto at the same price.

So I went for a manual SR5 and I'm happy that was the right decision for me.

The manuals are limited I think to 420nm where the auto are 500nm I belive

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Originally Posted by Quackers

The manuals are limited I think to 420nm where the auto are 500nm I belive

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For me that would be irrelevant as I would have chosen the manual too regardless.

Yeah they had a sale on early in year 49k for sr5 manual

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Originally Posted by GravelBen

Never updated this did I...

I test drove an auto, it wasn't bad but still had enough of the traditional auto delay (where it pauses to think about things for a moment or two before deciding what to do and responding) to annoy me a little.

Then I found out I was choosing between SR5 manual and SR auto at the same price.

So I went for a manual SR5 and I'm happy that was the right decision for me.

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You’ll probably find that your Hilux is one of the last series of manuals. They won’t make them forever. It will always be desirable.