Thread: New Hilux auto vs manual

Haven't dropped in here in a long time, how is everyone these days?

Anyone have experience of both auto and manual versions of the current model Hilux to give a comparison? Potentially getting a new Hilux work ute soon (currently chugging around in a 2014 Hilux) and tossing up whether to angle for manual or auto, though it may depend on availability too.

For the most part I'm a manual guy through and through, most auto cars end up irritating me to varying degrees. I do minimal city traffic driving, plenty of twisty hilly roads and gravel, and a bit of actual off-road stuff for both work and play. Only occasional towing.

In general manual suits me best and I enjoy it more, I prefer the direct control rather than waiting for a computer to second-guess what I want to do. So my first thought was to go for a manual one if I can.

But the current Hilux has a really big torque difference between the auto and manual, 500Nm auto vs 420Nm manual. I'm guessing the manual is detuned/torque limited to protect the gearbox, and can't help wondering if everything is just optimised more for the auto with the manual as an afterthought option for traditionalists.

Anyone driven both to give some feedback, do you notice the torque difference much or is it mostly balanced out by auto slush-factor vs more direct response of a manual?

several mechanic friends who should know have told me with these modern diesels go auto they handle the power better - and one can shift manually to some degree with them

My son n law(mechanic) and neighbor have new auto hiluxs.Great on the river beds n hills.Plenty of power for towing heavey loads.LOt of hi tech in them tho.

Have a manual 2018 hilux personally and a 2021 auto for work. Overall think the auto is far superior both off road and on road. This is from a dyed in the wool auto driver!

It's not the box - it's the clutch they are trying to protect. Also the manual is only available in base line models.

Toyota do have a history with clutch replacements with the hiluxs, although rumor has it that most of the modern drivers only think they can drive a manual box. As far as availability, you'll be waiting at least June for an auto version and probably more depending on model as I hear - although they have manuals in the bottom spec only needing a tray or deck added on the lots now.

Originally Posted by No.3

It's not the box - it's the clutch they are trying to protect. Also the manual is only available in base line models.

Toyota do have a history with clutch replacements with the hiluxs, although rumor has it that most of the modern drivers only think they can drive a manual box. As far as availability, you'll be waiting at least June for an auto version and probably more depending on model as I hear - although they have manuals in the bottom spec only needing a tray or deck added on the lots now.

Cheers, they show SR and SR5 spec in manual or auto, its only the fancy ones (cruiser and GR) that are auto only and they're a fair bit pricier anyway. SR5 is probably as high a trim level as the bosses will approve for a work truck anyway!

Waiting for confirmation from bosses before I start asking the dealer about availability etc, one of them might still decide to get a new one themselves and give me a hand-me-down instead.

Originally Posted by No.3

It's not the box - it's the clutch they are trying to protect. Also the manual is only available in base line models.

Toyota do have a history with clutch replacements with the hiluxs, although rumor has it that most of the modern drivers only think they can drive a manual box. As far as availability, you'll be waiting at least June for an auto version and probably more depending on model as I hear - although they have manuals in the bottom spec only needing a tray or deck added on the lots now.

Nah. You can get them but colour choice is limited. They only had blue available a couple of weeks ago. I was looking.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Nah. You can get them but colour choice is limited. They only had blue available a couple of weeks ago. I was looking.

Three weeks ago white was available too, might have changed though?

Yeah I was looking at that - had a closer look and it might only be manual ones with the price drop, so that might be a factor too.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Yeah I was looking at that - had a closer look and it might only be manual ones with the price drop, so that might be a factor too.

Nothing wrong with a manual mate

Originally Posted by Bush Basher

Nothing wrong with a manual mate

Yeah the only reason I started considering an auto Hilux was the extra grunt they give it, generally I like manuals much better - only ever owned one auto but driven plenty.

I can see why auto appeals to people who live in cities with stop-start traffic driving etc, but that's not me.

From what I've heard the new hybrid ones are a pretty token hybrid system so they can claim greeny points (and lower tax etc in some countries) without actually doing too much.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

From what I've heard the new hybrid ones are a very token hybrid system so they can claim greeny points (and lower tax etc in some countries) without actually doing too much.

Fixed it for you

Good to see you back GB.

A year ago, I was asking myself the same question ‘should I go for an auto instead’. I couldn’t decide on paper so gave both a decent test run where the vehicle in question was a 2023 4x4 Hilux SR – the poverty pack model.

Firstly, I had only ever owned manual, preferred it, and could never see myself buying an auto so I was almost certainly going to buy a manual. After a few days in different Utes, I ended up in an auto and have never regretted it......

Quick notes:

Auto has noticeably more torque, was better climbing hills loaded and towing.

Manual is a 6-speed box, takes some adjusting if your used to 5 and gear ratio’s felt like I was forever changing gear. Even though I like driving, it become tiring continually shifting cogs.

I almost always use the tiptronic do hicky to control what gear I’m in for anything other than crawling around town. Response wise I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest there’s not a lot of difference between a manual box. Theres a saying that they don’t make them like the used to and in this case, and when it comes to automatic transmissions, I say thank god for that! But these newer ones seem to be pretty good at changing when you want them to.

Theres a power mode switch on the new ones that really wake it up, combine with the Tiptronic no manual version will beat it to 100kmph (if that’s important to you)

I was skeptical/concerned about the increased fuel consumption but that hasn’t really eventuated. After 35,000km I’m averaging 8.9l/100 and that includes a considerable amount of towing and 4WDing.

I reckon you won’t be disappointed with an auto, but get in both and give them a run at the dealer if you can.

I have a 21 manual Hilux, it has done 45000K & average speed is only 37kph

I use 4wd on gravel & off road which is pretty often

It is sitting on 8.5 litres per 100kms pretty decent, I have never seen an auto locally near that, I have driven a few & dislike the auto a lot

The new up coming model of Hilux still has a manual availible on the SR5 model & below

The new autos have a mild hybrid to with stop/start reduce emissions & provide a wee bit of power/torque when required, it is driven off the motor

I will be getting a replacement SR5 manual in May hopefully it is better than the current one as it was better than its predecessor