There aren’t many modern vehicles referred to as ‘indestructible’ as often as the Toyota Hilux. The pickup truck has earned its reputation following years of endless service in the harshest of conditions, where other cars would probably not survive. As one of the toughest pickups in the world, the Hilux has no issues traversing trails with no signs of tarmac, being driven in extreme hot or cold temperatures, and even embarking on exploratory journeys where endurance is everything. So, when the Hilux officially made its way to India, its popularity among off-road enthusiasts grew quite rapidly. Now, Toyota has decided to further the pickup’s appeal by focussing on its appearance. Called the Hilux Black Edition, this version complements the Hilux’s undoubted capabilities with increased visual drama. But, does it work?

The gloss-black treatment is what separates the Black Edition from the standard iteration. Everything from the large grille, alloy wheels, wheel arches, to badging has been given a gloss-black look. This, without doubt, enhances the Hilux’s presence and muscle, even when it’s not moving. At over 5 metres in length, the Hilux doesn’t need to try hard to assert its presence, either. Add to that the 220 mm ground clearance, which, even on standard wheels and tyres, gives you a good idea that when the going gets tough, there aren’t many obstacles that the Hilux won’t be able to cross.

Regardless of the version you choose, it’s equally hard to ignore the vehicle’s stance. Its high bonnet furthers the authoritative look, the short overhangs are a reminder of the vehicle’s impressive approach and departure angles, and the long wheelbase (no less than three metres!) ensures that you don’t have to trade practicality for off-road performance. The 18-inch blacked-out alloy wheels come with chunky 265-section all-terrain tyres, which make the Hilux look even more purposeful.

Under the bonnet is a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which makes 201 bhp and 50.98 kg-m of peak torque. Shared with the Fortuner, the engine is well-refined but doesn’t lack in performance. From 1,600 rpm onwards, there’s a surge of torque enough to pull you out of the stickiest of situations. The six-speed automatic gearbox is a decent performer, too: it complements the engine’s abundance of torque, shifts smoothly when you’re in the city or cruising along on the highway, and will also oblige by holding gears for longer in ‘Sport’ mode.

How’s it to drive?

In the city, the Hilux hides its size and heft surprisingly well, negotiating tight turns and narrow lanes without sweat. The key to has to be its commanding driving position. Also, given its size, erratic drivers don’t get in your lane, which is a definite boon. The steering is light at slow speeds, making parking and U-turns effortless. Out on the open highway, the Hilux drives quite nicely, with its diesel engine offering ample power not just for cruising but also for quick overtakes.

The Hilux is a body-on-frame pickup with a leaf-spring suspension at the rear. This means, when unladen, it tends to be bouncy, especially over bad roads. When loaded or on smoother tarmac, it doesn’t exhibit such behaviour. Its straight-line stability is excellent, and even cornering isn’t bad. The steering weighs up as the pickup picks up speed, which aids confidence; and its body roll, although noticeable, is controlled, too. Let’s not forget that it won’t need you to push any buttons to transform this fairly decent highway cruiser into an off-road behemoth.

Take a detour through a muddy incline, a water crossing, or even a rut-infested stretch, and the Hilux will exhibit its true potential. All-terrain tyres can make a huge difference when it comes to off-roading, , and they come fitted as standard on the Hilux. Mechanically, too, the pickup is equipped to handle the harshest of driving conditions. The ladder-frame chassis, low-range transfer case, the highly functional 4x4 system, and the near-perfect dimensions come together to make off-roading thoroughly enjoyable in the Hilux. Even the harsher sections can be decimated without much drama.

Further reassurance comes from the fact that the Hilux is rated to cross water up to 700 mm high. In our test, we put it through its paces in deep slush, on steep inclines, and even waist-high streams, and the Hilux had nothing but the willingness to go further — and we gladly followed its command. The long-travel suspension keeps the tyres planted and the torque-rich engine ensures the Hilux always has enough impetus to pull through.

The Interior

The gloss-black theme from the outside is complemented by an all-black cabin, which borrows a lot from the Fortuner. It feels premium, but at the same time, it’s robust enough to endure years of use. It’s also a proper five-seater with generous space at the back and well-cushioned front chairs. A dual-zone climate control ensures that external conditions — no matter how tough — don’t influence the overall comfort inside. The Hilux also gets an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), a six-speaker JBL sound system, privacy glass, cruise control, and two driving modes (Eco and Power; don’t you like it how Toyota has kept it straightforward here!), among other features.

The Hilux Black Edition is Toyota’s way of sprucing up the Hilux but without taking away what makes it such an incredible machine in the first place. The blacked-out styling up its street cred, which is not bad for when it’s not off-roading. It’s also Toyota’s statement that style and utility can co-exist without any issues.

It’s based on the fully loaded ‘High’ variant and is priced at ₹37.9 lakh, ex-showroom. It can only be paired with an automatic gearbox, which complements the engine quite well, as we found out during our time with the pickup. It’s a pretty accomplished all-rounder, the Hilux. Its off-road abilities are undeniably great, but its everyday usability isn’t bad either. It might be slightly bouncy at low speeds, but it excels otherwise, in terms of power and comfort. Lifestyle pickups haven’t been the most successful of products in the Indian market, but the Hilux shows how a well-rounded lifestyle pickup ought to be. Plus, with the Black Edition, it’s definitely the most stylish one, too.

© Motoring World

Published on August 29, 2025