Toyota Hilux Invincible 2.8L Double Cab Review: A Chariot for the Modern-Day Conqueror
If you’re looking for a vehicle that can handle anything from a muddy field to the end of days, the Toyota Hilux Invincible is your ride!
Toyota Hilux Invincible Review
We embarked on a quest to find a challenge worthy of the Toyota Hilux Invincible. We needed an adventure that would make it sweat… or at least mildly perspire.
Our initial foray took us to Essex, the spiritual homeland of the pickup truck. Think of it as the Hilux's boot camp, a place where it could limber up and show off its moves on icy roads and varied terrain.
But that was just a warm-up. We craved something more. We yearned for a landscape so unforgiving, so desolate, so utterly devoid of charm, that it would make the Sahara look like a Club Med resort. We consulted Google and asked it to reveal the most inhospitable place on Earth.
The answer? Stratford, in North East London. A concrete jungle where property developers have sculpted a vertical dystopia, a monument to the triumph of steel and concrete over human comfort. A place where spaghetti junctions devour anything in their path with the indiscriminate hunger of a ravenous T-Rex.
But first the spec sheet
You're faced with a choice: the 2.4-litre turbodiesel or the slightly more enthusiastic 2.8-litre turbodiesel, boasting a respectable 201 bhp. Think of it as the difference between a polite cough and a hearty bellow. Suspension-wise, it's a classic combo of "double wishbone" up front for a hint of civility and "leaf springs with a rigid axle" in the rear because sometimes you just need to embrace your inner farmer. 0-62 mph arrives in a leisurely 10.7 seconds, and the top speed is a breezy 109 mph. Don't expect to win any drag races, but you'll get there eventually, in majestic, rugged style.
Aesthetics: Rugged Charm or Brutish Beauty?
The Hilux Invincible possesses a certain je ne sais quoi. It's handsome in a rough-and-ready way, like a muscular bouncer behind a velvet rope in a Cannes’ hotel. Picture a blend of Bruce Willis in Die Hard and The Rock in Fast & Furious. But, with the right paint job it could evoke Keanu Reeves in John Wick thrown in for good measure. It has presence. It commands attention. It's the kind of vehicle that makes you want to wear a leather jacket and sport a sleeveless t-shirt emblazoned with an eighties rock band.
The front grille, with its chrome accents and modern curves, resembles a high-tech radio. The double cab and the bed are pleasing to the eye, whispering promises of adventure. The running board is both visually appealing and practical as you literally step up into the cab.
The interior is spacious, comfortable, and easy to clean, but it's not exactly dripping with opulence. The heated steering wheel is a godsend on a winter's day, and the leather and plastic combo works well. However, this is a workhorse, not a pampered show pony.
Stratford: A Crucible of Urban Despair
After dropping off the "girls" at Abba Voyage (don't ask), I ventured into the urban wilderness of Stratford in the mighty Invincible. I was immediately out of my element. The arid, barren landscape was bleak. Lost souls wandered aimlessly through the grey expanse. But the Hilux, battered but unbowed, carried me through, a trusty steed in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Stratford is a surveillance state on steroids. Cameras lurk on every corner, watching your every move. It's like being on the set of a reality TV show you never signed up for.
The Hilux Invincible is the perfect vehicle for a revolution (or at least a spirited protest). I felt safe and secure in my 2.3-tonne fortress.
Features and Gadgets: The Modern Gladiator
The Invincible boasts the Toyota Smart Connect+ multimedia system with an eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Dual-zone air conditioning, heated front seats, parking sensors, and a razor-sharp reversing camera are also included. The camera proved its worth in a ridiculously tight underground car park, even if the Hilux did occupy two parking spaces.
Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of safety features, includes a Pre-Collision System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Road Sign Assist. There's also eCall, an emergency call system. So, it's not just tough; it's also smart. And Toyota's Pitch and Bounce Control smooths out the ride by adjusting engine torque based on road conditions.
The Hilux offers a ride that's best described as bouncy rather than luxurious, though it's much improved over previous models. This is likely due to the change in testing protocol, from a full tonne payload to an empty vehicle. While it's not the most refined experience on smooth tarmac, it's surprisingly comfortable considering its rugged nature. It's designed to handle challenging terrain, and that robustness translates into a ride that can feel a bit unsettled on less-than-perfect roads.
However, this firmness also contributes to a sense of connection with the road, making it an engaging drive, especially when the going gets tough. It's a trade-off many adventurers are willing to make for the Hilux's extraordinary capability and reliability. The Hilux is an explorer’s vehicle, not a luxury SUV.
Selectable four-wheel drive, low-range settings, and a locking rear differential mean this beast is ready for pretty much anything. Whether you're planning on scaling Mount Everest, fording a particularly aggressive puddle, or just navigating the treacherous terrain of your local supermarket car park on a Saturday afternoon, the Hilux has you covered. Whilst seven airbags, including curtain and the driver's knee airbag, provide peace of mind.
Performance: Power and Grace (Sort Of)
The Hilux offers a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The automatic is surprisingly intelligent, with features like High-speed Gear Effective Utilisation Control and AI-SHIFT Control. It's smooth, but remember, it's built to conquer boulders, so the shifts are noticeable.
The Drive Mode switch lets you choose between Eco and Power settings. Eco is for cruising, while Power provides a welcome boost when needed. Expect around 29 mpg in normal driving, giving you an eye-popping range of over 500 miles from the 80-litre tank.
Variable flow control power steering adjusts the steering feel based on speed. Light at low speeds, heavier at high speeds. An electronic system mimics a mechanical limited-slip differential for improved traction. It works alongside Active Traction Control and Hill Start Assist. The Invincible also gets Downhill Assist Control.
Improved approach angle, ground clearance, and wider tracks enhance its off-road capabilities. It can wade through 700mm of water and has 310mm of ground clearance. Lighter 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres and bigger brakes complete the off-road package.
Off-Road Performance: A True Beast
We tested the Hilux in deep mud, sand, and across fields. It conquered everything we threw at it. The slip differential worked flawlessly, providing power to the wheels with grip. It's a marvel of engineering and technology, a ferocious, indomitable goliath for construction, farming, and exploring the wilderness.
We also ventured into the Thames Estuary. The Hilux handled the mud and rocks with ease. It's incredibly practical and easy to clean – a rhinoceros with better hygiene. This is a vehicle for exploring the wilds of Africa, following migrating elephants, or photographing polar bears in the arctic. It's built for thrills.
In the Thames Estuary, it cruised over absolutely everything, imagine what is dumped into that river every day! Let's just say it can handle a shopping trolley. Engage 4x4, keep your foot steady on the pedal, and trust the car to do its thing. It's surprisingly capable.
A Hilux in the mud is like a hippo at a spa—sliding around with unexpected grace and absolute control. It’s a messy, magnificent riot of fun!
It's clear this thing's built for the Paris-Dakar, and winning it twice in a row, 2019 and 2020, is seriously impressive. Just like the tortoise and the hare, slow and steady wins, leaving the quicker competition stuck in the sand. It's about finishing, and having a blast while you're at it. Not like Mark Thatcher, who needed his mum and the air force to find him after getting lost for six days.
The back cab's handy for hauling stuff, but its real calling is loading it up with beer and heading off-road to a lake for a picnic. Picture everyone standing in the back, hanging onto the roof, and grinning as the wind whips away the cobwebs. It's also ideal for aerial sports. Chuck your paragliding kite in the back and head to the Sussex Downs for some updrafts.
And best of all, people get out of your way. 2.3 tonnes of steel tends to command respect. Need that parking space? It's all yours mate! Plus, it can carry a tonne and tow another 3.5 tonnes. It's wider than ever, which is great for cargo but not so much for narrow country lanes.
The Toyota Hilux Invincible, a vehicular deity forged in the fires of reliability, is a legend, so invulnerable that it will outlast the coming nuclear war. When civilisation crumbles and history is reduced to rubble, it’ll be just the Hilux, cockroaches, and a handful of right-wing billionaires sipping synthetic champagne in their orbital bunkers, peering down at a scorched Earth, waiting a thousand years in a space capsule for Mars to be terraformed.
So, if you’re looking for a vehicle that can handle anything from a muddy field to the end of days, the Hilux Invincible is your ride. It’s more than a truck; it’s a rugged, outdoor lifestyle. It’s the car Mad Max would drive today. Iconic since 1968, confidently cruising towards 2068 and beyond.
Toyota Hilux Invincible
