Toyota Gives The Hilux A Factory Payload Boost In Australia

The Ford Ranger Super Duty raised the bar for what a midsize pickup can haul in Australia, and Toyota clearly took notice.

Rather than leaving Hilux owners to sort things out with aftermarket suspension kits, Toyota Australia has introduced a factory-backed Gross Vehicle Mass upgrade for the new Hilux. It’s a practical response aimed at buyers who need more payload but still want the reassurance of a full warranty and factory-tested safety systems.

The package includes longer rear monotube shock absorbers, which lift the truck by up to 10 mm, along with chassis reinforcements that increase axle load ratings by 100 kg at the front and 280 kg at the rear. Depending on the version, legal payload rises by between 372 and 435 kg, bringing the Hilux to a maximum carrying capacity of 1,525 kg (3,362 lbs).

That is a substantial improvement, though the Ranger Super Duty still holds the outright advantage. Ford’s toughest Ranger can carry between 1,825 and 1,982 kg (4,023 to 4,370 lbs) and tow up to 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs), compared to the Hilux’s unchanged 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) towing limit.

Toyota’s upgrade is available on six work-focused extra-cab and double-cab 4x4 models powered by the 2.8-liter turbodiesel, including mild-hybrid versions, but only with an automatic transmission. Pricing starts at AU$4,000 (about US$2,800) on top of the base vehicle. That means a WorkMate double-cab chassis starts at AU$56,490, while an SR5 double-cab pickup reaches AU$69,990.

For many buyers, the biggest advantage is peace of mind. Similar upgrades from companies like ARB and Ironman 4x4 have existed for years, but Toyota’s own package arrives fully integrated and covered by the brand’s five-year warranty. For fleet operators and tradies, that alone may be worth the extra cost.