Toyota HiLux Workmate 2019 Review

While dual-cab 4x4 utes grab the limelight these days, it's models like Toyota's HiLux Workmate that are getting the job done in the 4x2 ute segment…

What’s it all about?

While 4×4 dual-cab utes account for a hefty slice of the total Australian automotive market these days, for hauling a decent load on a daily basis it’s hard to go past the humble single-cab/chassis – models like Toyota’s HiLux Workmate.

While the top-tier dual-cabs are duking it out, attempting to outdo each other with an ever-longer list of creature comforts and off-road-centric bling, the HiLux Workmate range is focused firmly on commercial practicalities – it’s a tool of trade, and as such it’s all about shifting a load from A to B, as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.

To that end, the Toyota HiLux Workmate 4×2 single-cab/chassis on test here has a maximum payload of 1240kg, and while its braked towing limit is 2500kg – a tonne below that of many of the heavy hitters in the broader ute category – it comes with far more palatable pricing.

With variants spanning different body styles (cab/chassis or pickup), cabs (single-cab/extra-cab/dual-cab), engines (2.7-litre petrol/2.4-litre diesel) and transmissions (five-speed manual/six-speed automatic), our test vehicle is one of 12 models in the HiLux Workmate range, out of a total line-up of 32 HiLux variants.

A single-cab with factory alloy drop-side tray, the 4×2 HiLux Workmate on test is powered by the 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, good for a claimed 110kW and 343Nm, with the urge delivered to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.

How much does it cost?

The Toyota HiLux Workmate 4×2 cab/chassis is priced from $24,990 (plus on-roads), or $25,490 (plus on-roads) as tested in this Nebula Blue paint (add $550). The pricing includes the factory drop-side alloy tray, which measures 2550mm long by 1780mm wide and 250mm deep.

As such this model is a step up from the absolute entry-level HiLux Workmate – that title goes to the petrol/manual version of the model on test [Ed: which seemingly are never available for appraisal], which kicks off the HiLux family from $20,990 plus on-roads. From there add $2000 for the auto or $4000 for the diesel manual, before moving up to the dearer 4×4 and extra-cab/dual-cab models.

After a week of running around town both loaded and empty, we achieved an average fuel figure of 10.0L/100km – perhaps a scintillating figure but not bad by any stretch either, given the largely urban running and the two loaded runs to the tip.

Toyota offers the HiLux with a three-year/10,000km factory warranty. Service intervals are pegged at every six months or 10,000km, whichever comes first, and Toyota offers capped-price servicing for diesel HiLux models of $240 per service for up to the first six services during the first three years or 60,000km, whichever comes first.

Why should/shouldn’t I buy it?

The motivation behind purchasing a cab/chassis HiLux Workmate model like this is fairly clear – you need to shift a decent load with a minimum of fuss. Presumably weather protection and theft concerns won’t figure too highly, otherwise a van like Toyota’s HiAce might better fit the bill.

Of course, being a 4×2 variant, the prospective purchasers of this particular HiLux Workmate will be conducting business largely on sealed roads, or at the very least in the occasional off-road setting where traction levels are still relatively high – constructions sites and farms, at least when the sun is shining…

Don’t buy a HiLux Workmate like this if you’re simply after a cheap runabout and don’t intend to carry much weight. With a claimed maximum payload of 1240kg, it’s fitted with basic leaf-spring suspension and a live axle at the rear, so the ride is rock hard when the tray is empty.

We loaded the tray up for a couple of runs to the local landfill site with at least 500kg of junk – mainly old timber and chunks of concrete – and the ride was transformed. It’ll never match the comfort levels of a passenger car, of course, but when carrying out its role as intended it soaks up the weight and the bumps nicely.

Who does it appeal to?

This Toyota HiLux Workmate 4×2 cab/chassis is aimed squarely at business owners, from small independents all the way up to major fleets. From tradies to couriers to countless others, there are myriad applications to which this robust ute is suited.

While safety features are of course a major benefit for all drivers, many fleet buyers will find the HiLux’s five-star ANCAP safety rating attractive. Beyond staples like antilock brakes and stability control, this HiLux Workmate cab/chassis features front and side airbags for both driver and passenger, plus hill start assist, seat-belt reminder, brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution.

One aspect where this vehicle could be improved would be the inclusion of a reversing camera as standard. Vision is generally excellent in this ute but the tray is quite high – we measured a tray height of 930mm – and that can make reversing into tighter parking spots a bit of a challenge, in terms of seeing where the HiLux’s towbar is relative to any vehicle already parked behind it.

Where does it fit?

Toyota’s HiLux Workmate 4×2 cab/chassis lies at the entry-level end of the broader HiLux range. As noted, our test vehicle’s 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine places it a step up from its 2.7-litre petrol-engined sibling – a $4000 step up – with the diesel having a distinct edge in terms of torque (343Nm at 1400-2800rpm versus 245Nm at 4000rpm for the petrol model).

It’s also worth noting that as far as the 4×2 cab/chassis and pickup segment is concerned, Toyota’s HiLux dominated 2018, ending the year with market share of 34.8 per cent (FCAI VFACTS data). Toyota sold a total of 13,125 examples of the 4×2 HiLux last year, outselling its nearest competitor – Isuzu UTE’s D-MAX – by nearly three to one. The 4×2 D-MAX accounted for 5324 new registrations last year, for a market share of 14.1 per cent.

That’s no mean feat on the HiLux’s part, in a crowded segment that sees the Toyota facing off against numerous other well-established rivals, including Ford’s Ranger, Mazda’s BT-50, Nissan’s Navara, Mitsubishi’s Triton, Holden’s Colorado and Volkswagen’s Amarok, along with more recent entrants like the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, LDV T60 and Great Wall Steed.

So, what do we think?

There’s really very little to criticise here – the Toyota HiLux Workmate 4×2 cab/chassis is built to do a job, and it does that job very, very well. We love the grunty, low-revving nature of the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel, which delivers useable twist from as low as 1000rpm, and the smooth-shifting, light action of the five-speed manual.

The biggest surprise of all, however, is just how refined this knockabout light commercial really is. It’s quieter inside the cab than we expected and it’s smoother too, with vibration nicely suppressed.

The cab interior is the usual expanse of hard, dark plastics you’d expect in this category but the fit and finish of the various panels is very good, and the clip-in rubber mats and tough vinyl flooring will make light work of keeping things clean.

Despite the commercial focus, the HiLux Workmate isn’t completely devoid of niceties, either. The air-conditioning works well, there are A-pillar grab handles to aid ingress/egress and the ergonomics just work, while the steering wheel (adjustable for tilt but not reach) has integrated audio controls and a dedicated cruise control stalk.

The multimedia touchscreen adds an unexpected touch of class and there’s Bluetooth streaming and voice commands. The instrumentation is basic but highly legible and you also get power windows and switchable traction control. There’s a 12-volt power socket plus USB port and 3.5mm audio jack at the bottom of the centre stack, just over a tray that’s perfect for holding a mobile phone.

We like the large oddment tray next to the park brake and the sizeable nature of the glove box, and there are two cup holders at the rear of the centre console and bottle holders in the door pockets, to keep lattes and iced coffees within an easy reach.

Externally, the large plastic-clad bumper appears well suited to the scuffs and scrapes a work hack like this will invariably encounter, while the factory alloy tray is sturdy and spacious. There are grooves to help prevent loads sliding around and the tray’s drop-side hinges appear sturdy. Securing a load is made easy by the multiple lashing rails beneath the tray and the anchor points within it.

An integrated rear step wouldn’t hurt to aid climbing up onto the tray, when required – at 930mm off the deck it’s quite a jump up should you need to get up there for loading/unloading…

Summing up

For the quality build, excellent load-lugging ability, commendable safety tech and pragmatic choice of features on offer, the Toyota HiLux Workmate 4×2 cab/chassis is one robust, capable and nicely priced package; it’s easy to see why it’s as popular as it is in this market niche.

How much does the 2019 Toyota HiLux Workmate 4×2 cab/chassis cost?

Price: from $24,990 (plus on-roads); $25,540 (plus on-roads, as tested)

Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

Output: 110kW/343Nm

Transmission: Five-speed manual

Fuel: 7.7L/100km (ADR Combined); 10.0L/100km (as tested)

CO2: 203g/km (ADR Combined)

Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2015)