Smooth operator – new Toyota Hilux picks up full marks

Here’s a lesson to be learned.

When your partner rings you at 3pm and asks for a favour don’t say yes without demanding the full details.

“Can you take an Australian tourist’s missing case to her at her hotel,” she asks. “No problem, where?” I reply. “Scotland!”

Not just Scotland, oh no, but North Berwick and it’s 22 miles north east of Edinburgh, making it 180 miles each way and an eight-hour round trip on mixed and challenging roads – and that’s after a day at work.

Just as well I’ve got a decent travelling companion, though at first glance you might not think so as it’s a pick-up.

Thankfully, Toyota knows a thing or two about pick-ups. It has making been making the Hilux since 1968 and that’s long enough, I’d say, to make it a legend.

On another day I’m approached by a fellow pick-up driver who is in a truck of a Germanic persuasion but loves the Hilux, particularly in green.

I get the big thumbs up then the third degree on the various merits of the latest incarnation.

I haven’t long to chat so I sum it up in one word – refined – and it is. New Hilux, a mild hybrid diesel, is the smoothest iteration I’ve driven in terms of both the engine, power delivery and ride and I’ve certainly plenty of time to test its attributes.

The Alba foray starts with A roads, switches to motorway, then back to A roads and ends with urban. Hilux isn’t fazed by any of it.

On the curves, it is confident, steering positively and handling the bumps with aplomb and no pogoing that often afflicts this type of vehicle.

On the motorway, at the legal limit, it’s a smooth operator and 70mph just happens to be the 2.8 litre diesel engine’s sweet spot.

You wouldn’t necessarily know it’s a hybrid. It’s not like it switches over to full electric like a hybrid car but where it does score is in its performance and fuel efficiency.

There’s a lusty 204BHP under the bonnet and 500Nm of torque giving Hilux tremendous performance, load-carrying capability and cruising ability.

Be light on the throttle and you can persuade the trip computer to nudge 35 miles per gallon, which isn’t half bad.

The weather is disgusting on the way up, of course, and the roads turn to rivers. But the Hilux feels planted even in two-wheel drive.

Another venture in my time with Hilux sees me head down a very dark, narrow and slippery track to a youth hostel.

I’ve driven in but reversing back out is difficult because I can’t really see where I’m going.

The best thing to do is turn round and I see in the gloom a possible turning point.

The problem is it’s not flat and it’s off the asphalt which could cause issues with grip.

Turn the selector knob and the Hilux is now in four wheel drive ‘high’ making the manoeuvre easy-peasy.

If it had been any trickier I still had four wheel drive ‘low’ to call on, then the electronic diff-lock, making this vehicle virtually impossible to strand.

While the Toyota makes a great lifestyle and leisure vehicle it’s raison d’etre is as a workhorse and farmers, foresters and construction workers are going to love it. But there’s no longer a compromise on creature comforts.

New Hilux gets a very well equipped and comfortable interior as well making long journeys a breeze. Knobs and switches suit me just fine and the touchscreen operates the infotainment and satnav.

Midnight sees us walk back through the door and while I should be shattered I’m not. The following day is an early rise and 200 mile round trip but I’m not bothered in the slightest because the Hilux is that good to drive.