Toyota has over the years done exceptionally well when it comes to providing vehicles that are demand oriented and not only that, but it has also been a champion when it comes to dealing with competition in its product line up. One of the ways in which Toyota has firmly dealt with competition has been the provision of products that fill the product line up, leaving competitors with no space to create a niche, but with almost no option but to follow. This is how Toyota has responded on the market with the Toyota Hilux family line up.

As such, when the first Toyota Hilux single cab was made, the Xtra Cab and Double cab where already fathomed. What was left was the timely introduction of the various cabs to complete the product line up.

The Toyota Hilux Xtra Cab has arrived on the market together with the single and double cab, functioning exclusively with four-wheel drive. The Xtra cab now produces greater power and torque and the 2.5 liter engine is much cleaner than the previous engine on the Toyota Hilux. Also on the list of options on the Toyota Hilux Xtra Cab is the 3.0 liter engine with D-4D technology. Like its name, the Xtra cab has not come with short cuts when it comes to its looks. It now has extra appeal and with it Toyota produced a truck that combines perfectly well the needs of a business and also allowing the same business man to use the same vehicle on the weekend after hours for leisure and not feel old fashioned. While it remains a two door truck, like the single cab, the Xtra cab provides two occasional rear seats, equipped with three point seatbelts, which design now allows for a rear deck length of 1805mm in comparison to the Double Cab with 1520mm.

Standard features on the Xtra cab include the Aircon, electric windows, remote central locking ABS, driver and passenger front airbags. This allows for easy handling and also provision of comfort, knowing the car has real safety features for a modern vehicle. The car draws from the bold and stylish design of the Single and Double Cab and takes on a new-look bonnet with intercooler bulge that forms part of the Hilux range enhancements. The standard safety and security features on the Toyota Hilux Xtra cab are in line with Toyota Motor Corporation’s commitment to offering vehicles that are tough when it comes to performance, but gentle and kind when it comes to providing real comfort, easily adaptable to luxurious setups.

The comfort and luxury portfolio features on the Toyota Hilux Xtra cab include the climate control air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, tilting adjustment and telescopic adjustment of steering wheels, audio and cassette with the option of AFM. The CD disc capacity is at 6 and the entertainment system is supported by 4 speakers that offer quality sound for those in love with music. Regarding safety and security, the new generation Hilux is better in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance and offers better handling owing such to the new double wishbone front suspension, improved aerodynamics on the truck and ladder frame construction that is 45 per cent stiffer. Then there is the D-4D 120 which delivers all-round improvements, with eight per cent more power and 25 per cent more torque in comparison to the replaced engine, now offering greater power and a maximum torque of 325Nm.

The exterior of the Xtra cab is defined by modern features and these provides an admirable appeal, thanks to the alloy wheels, painted bumpers and chrome door mirrors. It also has rear cargo doors and the headlights come as halogen/ Xenon and Bi-Xenon. A masculine, yet gentle and polite truck that does what you ask it to do, as a modern pickup truck of course.