Toyota's 2WD workhorse gains extra appeal - Drivesouth
In one of those odd ironies of life, at the very time Toyota has been promoting the Hilux as New Zealand's top-selling four-wheel-drive utility, a two-wheel-drive variant of the same machine was dispatched to Drivesouth for appraisal. Although such vehicles attract limited interest in our provincial hinterland, 2WD utes are big business in urban New Zealand. As a result, while Hilux is still New Zealand's best-selling ute in 4WD guise, Ford's Ranger has toppled Toyota's truck as last year's best-selling ute overall. If you don't really need 4WD, picking a 2WD eliminates the cost and mechanical complications of four-wheel-drive couplings and a hi-low ratio transfer case. Measured in dollar terms, that sees Toyota list its standard Double Cab 2WD ute at $42,190, which is $12,100 less than the equivalent 4WD machine. Head for Toyota's limited editions list and you'll find better news yet: the subject of this test is the Hilux 2WD Edge. This is basically a Double Cab 2WD smartened up with special graphics, 17-inch alloys, and stainless steel nudge bars and side pipes, but costing $4000 less than the standard 2WD Double Cab ute. Source: www.drivesouth.co.nz
