If you are a statistical Pole who loves peace on a daily basis, warm slippers, animals and children, and only on weekends, after watching an action movie in the cinema, you feel like being a "tough guy", consider buying a Hilux. Such Hilux is a substitute for a great adventure on the streets of a big city, a chance for active rest when digging out the sand in the field and for what it makes an impression.
Pickup trucks did not catch on especially in our country. Once, thanks to PF 125p, there were more of them, Skoda Felicie is probably the most popular. Reasons, for which cars with an open load box are not very popular, There are many. Starting with the climatic conditions, and ending with the rather poor securing of the cargo against thieves. But there is this type of pickup, which every man dreams of with fire in his eyes, regardless of the age and wealth of the wallet – motorized pickup 4×4, such as Mitsubischi L200, Nissan Pickup or Toyota Hilux.
The test car was equipped with a double cab – indispensable, if the car is not only to fulfill the owner's ambitions, or not just a truck, but also function as a family car. And practically on the four doors and the spacious interior of the passenger compartment, the family-friendly properties of Hilux end. It is definitely a car designed for work, at least in the standard version. Longing for comfort, and at the same time attached to
a vision of himself behind the wheel of a Hilux, they should look for a variant of the SR5.
As I mentioned, the ascetic interior of the car is stripped of all sorts of luxury, but functional. In front of, instead of individual seats, we have a couch that can be moved along the length of the vehicle, unfortunately, without the possibility of changing the angle of the backrest. However, this solution turns out to be quite convenient. Fast driving in curves or driving on uneven terrain force you to firmly hold on to the steering wheel and "spread" between the door and a substitute for the center console.
Both sofas, just like floor mats, are covered with a gray rubber fabric. An extremely practical solution – moment of time, running water hose and the interior sparkling clean, the more that the water will flow out of the interior through the door openings, devoid of typical thresholds (flat floor cabin on the entire surface). It is probably a bit worse in the summer, when the skin sticks to the heated skin, but as a reward we can drink a lot of drinks without fear of leaving stubborn stains on the upholstery.
The driver will certainly not have problems identifying the controls and switches. There is only what is necessary – speedometer, fuel tank gauge and engine temperature gauge. Only what is most important from the switches, but for it there, where it should be, easily accessible and practical.
Front and side visibility perfect, We look to the rear using the large-area exterior mirrors, Unfortunately, they cannot be set up from inside the vehicle. In the case of using a load box superstructure, the interior mirror only plays a decorative role.
In front of, in the middle of the cabin, there are two levers. The longer one handles the gearbox and is precise despite its length, and the shifting itself requires little movement and moderate force. A shorter lever operates the transfer case and can be used to engage 4WD while driving. When switching on the reducer, it is necessary to slow down below 8 km/h, and the retention will be a guarantee, that we will not damage anything. The front drive axle is equipped with a freewheel mechanism, which works by disengaging the left drive shaft. The claw clutch responsible for the connection is conditioned by a vacuum cylinder and works automatically after selecting the all-wheel drive lever.
Hilux is doing bravely on unpaved roads, however, you need to pay attention to the protruding "belly" of the reducer, in more difficult terrain, the large ramp angle can also be troublesome, resulting from the wheelbase.