WHEN you're on to a winner, don't fiddle with it - that's Toyota's push with it's latest HiLux.
HiLux is now heading for yet another year as Australia's top-selling ute.
As the battle for supremacy intensifies, Toyota is confident it has done enough to continue its reign.
An upgrade late last year brought lower prices, additional equipment and a minor facelift to a design basically unchanged since 2005.
And while it now trails the best in class for power, towing capacity, interior space, load capacity and ride and handling, its proven ability and reputation for reliability, retained value and service and parts back-up make it a compelling argument for sticking with the tried and true.
The styling upgrade in September was designed to counter the Volkswagen Amarok, the new kid on the block, and get in ahead of the all-new Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50.
It included a new grille and bumper, a new bonnet with central air scoop, a minor interior freshen up and some additional equipment. However, there were no major changes.
The 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine with its 120kW at 3400rpm and 343Nm of torque from 1400rpm is no longer the most powerful in its class, as it was when released back in 2005.
It trails well behind the Ranger/BT-50's 147kW and 470Nm - that plus the rivals' extra gear ratios in both the manual and automatic.
Still it delivers respectable performance, is quiet and unfussed, and relatively easy on fuel.
The HiLux feels taut and tough on the move, although its suspension is not as composed in its ride or as confident in its handling as the Amarok or the Ranger.
Towing capacity has also lifted from 2250kg to 2500kg on 4WD models, but this is still well below the best in class of 3350kg.
The equipment upgrade was welcome but more a case of catch-up - adding stability control on the top models, although the crash safety rating remains at four stars while the Amarok and Ranger have five stars.
Anti-skid brakes are now standard on all models, and all 4WD SR and SR5 now have side and curtain airbags, but there still isn't a centre lap-sash seat belt in the rear of the double cab.
Still, with prices down, equipment up and model choice now at a staggering 35, it's a safe bet the HiLux will hang on to its No.1 title until the next generation arrives in 2014.
After all the 36,000 units sold last year represent a 14,000 unit advantage over the the Nissan Navara, a 19,000 gap to the Mitsubishi Triton and 20,000 more than the Ranger.
