Thread: 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?