Let The Truck Wars Begin: The Toyota Hilux Takes On the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Head On

Here is a fairly comprehensive comparison between the Hilux and the D-Max V-Cross

A few years ago, the Isuzu V-Cross made its grand debut as the only lifestyle pickup truck on sale in India. Even after a comprehensive facelift with the BS6 engine in 2021, the V-Cross continued to be the only offering in the pickup truck space. Until now that is. Toyota has launched its much-anticipated and revered Hilux pickup in India and that has certainly changed the game.s

Toyota Hilux vs Isuzu V-Cross

android, article, autos, cars, isuzu, toyota, article, toyota hilux, android, let the truck wars begin: the toyota hilux takes on the isuzu d-max v-cross head on

The Isuzu V-Cross has pretty much had the lifestyle pickup truck market to itself for a while now

The Toyota Hilux is one of the most popular models from Toyota globally. India has just received the eighth generation avatar. How does it fare against the Isuzu V-Cross in? Let’s find out.

Exterior Design

Both these lifestyle pickup trucks have got the butch appeal for a vehicle of this cadre. Both pickups get a heavy dose of chrome around the grille, bi-beam LED projector headlamps with daytime running LEDs, 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, side-step for easy access in the cabin, chrome finish for the door handles and rearview mirrors.

But, in comparison, the Toyota Hilux has the advantage of the novelty factor over the V-Cross. Hilux has a brand image that is easily recognizable anywhere in the world. Overall, the Hilux’s design is far more modern.

Interior Design Highlights

Step inside and you will feel that the Hilux feels more modern and premium over that of the V-Cross. Both these trucks get an all-black cabin with piano black inserts on door pads and the centre console.

The multi-functional steering wheel, instrument console, and centre console of the V-Cross look a bit dated compared to the Hilux. Though, the leather upholstery of both these vehicles – grey and brown for V-Cross and all-black for Hilux – feel equally upmarket.

Features

The Toyota Hilux shows that it is comparatively more modern than the Isuzu V-Cross when the comparison between them boils down to the list of features.

One area however where the Toyota would not be able to beat the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is on Price starting at Rs 22.7 lakhs for the base 4×2 variant

The Isuzu V-Cross gets

A powered driver’s seat
Steering wheel with audio
Bluetooth and cruise controls
Tilt adjustability for the steering wheel
7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Single-zone automatic climate control
Push Button start
Black or Dual/tone tan/grey leather seats
Cruise Control
60:40 rear seats

Well, that changed recently with the introduction of the all-new 8th generation Toyota Hilux

The Hilux goes even further with features like

Cooled upper glove box,
Better dual-zone automatic climate control setup
A bigger 8-inch infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto
Voice Recognition
Rear AC vents
Sliding Arm Rest
Leather-wrapped Steering
Premium Leather Seats On Automatic variant
Eight Way Adjustable driver seat
Electrically adjustable and retracting ORVMs
Cruise Control
Automatic Wipers
Cooled Gove Box
Two Driving Modes

Powertrains

The facelifted Isuzu V-Cross arrived with a BS6-compliant 1.9-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, that produces 165 PS of power and 360 Nm of torque. But, the Toyota Hilux feels like it is in an altogether different league with its bigger 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. Both these pickup trucks are available with the transmission choices of either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.

	Isuzu D-Max V-Cross	Toyota Hilux
Engine Capacity	1.9L 4-Cylinder Turbo Diesel	2.8L 4-Cylinder Turbo Diesel
Horsepower Ps	165	204
Torque Nm MT/AT	360	420/500
Gearbox	Six Speed MT/AT	Six Speed MT/AT
Drivetrain	4X2 & 4X4	4×4

The Hilux has a clear displacement advantage

On the Toyota Hilux, the engine out 204 PS of power on both the manual and automatic, however, the torque figure is different, where the manual transmission produces 420 nm, the automatic churns out 500 Nm of torque.

Off-Road Equipment And Hardware

Both pickups are pretty competent off-road and come with some serious kit on offer which should easily help them sail through easily through the rough stuff. Both Pickups come with a low-range transfer box. The Hilux comes with 4×4 as Standard across the range, while the Isuzu also offers a 4×2 variant and you have to switch between 2H, 4H, and 4L on the fly on the 4×4 variants. Overall, the Hilux offers a far more sophisticated 4×4 system.

The Isuzu V-Cross that is currently on sale is a little too long in the tooth and is a generation older

Isuzu V Cross

Hill Descent Control
Steel Underbody Protection
Low-Ration Transfer Case

Toyota Hilux

Hill-start assist
Hill Descent Control
Limited-slip Differential
Automatic Differential Lock
Tyre Angle Monitor
Pitch and Bounce Control
Low-Ration Transfer Case

Pickup trucks at the end of the day are workhorses and this is where the added simplicity of a ladder frame chassis really comes into play. They can handle a lot of abuse and pretty much any kind of terrain you can throw at it.

Spec Sheet

From the table below, you can clearly see that these figures make the Hilux a longer vehicle. However, despite the Hilux being the longer of the two trucks, the wheelbase of the Hilux is 10mm lesser when compared to that of the V-Cross. The V-Cross is wider and taller amongst the two.

Toyota Hilux Vs Isuzu V-Cross dimensions
	Toyota Hilux	Isuzu V-Cross
Length	5,325 mm	5,295 mm
Width	1,855 mm	1,860 mm
Height	1,815 mm	1,840 mm
Front Track	1540	1570
Rear Track	1550	1570
Wheelbase	3,085 mm	3,095 mm
Kerb Weight	2335kg – Manual, 2340kg -Automatic	1890kg (4×2)- 1990 kg (4×4)
Tyre size	265/60 R18	255/60 R18
Fuel Tank Capacity	80 Litres	76 Litres

Safety

Both pickups are pretty loaded when it comes to safety. Here’s are some of the features that come as standard

Front, Side, and Curtain Airbags (Six on the V-Cross, Seven on the Hilux)
ABS with EBD, Brake Assist
Electronic Stability Control
Traction Control
Reverse parking sensors with camera
ISOFIX mounts for child seats

Here too, the Hilux gets an upper hand with more features like

Front Parking Sensors
Trailer Sway Control
Active Traction Control
Emergency Braking Control
Vehicle Stability Control
Front and Rear Parking Sensors
Active Traction Control
5 Stars in ASEAN NCAP tests

Pricing

A range of official accessories are available with both the Isuzu V-Cross

The Isuzu V-Cross is being offered in India in three different variants –

Z 4×2 AT – Rs 22.07 lakh
Z 4×4 MT – Rs 22.07 lakh
Z Prestige 4×4 AT – Rs 25.60 lakh

The Toyota Hilux is available in three variants – Low 4×4 MT, High 4×4 MT, and High 4×4 AT. Toyota will announce the price by March.

And the Toyota Hilux as well

The expected price for the Hilux is around Rs 35 lakh for the entry-level variant.

With a longer equipment list, more powerful powertrain, and Toyota’s history of pricing their vehicles at a premium indicate that the Hilux will be a pricier option among the two pickups. Even with a higher price tag, the Hilux feels like a far more compelling package for its established reliability and Toyota’s wider nationwide dealer/service network.

Final Thoughts

While the Isuzu V-Cross pretty much had the Indian lifestyle pickup truck market itself, with the arrival of the Toyota Hilux, it now finally has a serious competitor. I say serious because the Hilux has a reputation and legacy like no other. We’ve had the Fortuner based on the Hilux platform for over a decade, but we’re finally getting the real thing. The Toyota Hilux does have the potential to kick-off the pickup truck segment and what needs to be seen is if it gains traction and more players join in on the action.