Awards success for Toyota Hilux and Corolla Commercial
The Toyota Professional range of light commercial vehicles has again proved its strength-in-depth with success in the What Car? Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards. Hilux took the honour for Best Commercial Pick-up and Corolla Commercial was named the Best Car-based Van – a first award for the British-built model since its launch earlier this year.
According to the judges, Hilux has unrivalled strengths as a workhorse, while Corolla Commercial is acclaimed as the best model in its class.
What Car? assessed each model on its performance as a working vehicle, taking into account qualities such as payload and off-road capability rather than ride comfort. Driveability around town and on faster roads was also considered.
Commenting on the award for Hilux, Darren Moss, What Car? Deputy Editor, said: “No pick-up truck rival is as capable as a working vehicle as the Toyota Hilux… it’s as adept at moving you and your family over hill and dale as it is hauling cargo.”
He also praised Hilux’s price tag and its “rock-solid” residual value, concluding: “For load-lugging in the rough stuff, there can be no better companion.”
Corolla Commercial, developed and manufactured at Toyota’s Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, broke new ground last year as the market’s first full hybrid electric van. Moss expressed unequivocal praise: “Toyota has created the best car-based van round. It’s more spacious than rivals inside and it has an interior which feels built to last. Plus, thanks to its hybrid set-up, it also has the potential to lower your fuel bills.”
Hilux has a long and impressive heritage of taking the world’s toughest environments in its stride. Its capabilities have been strengthened with every new generation: today, UK customers have a choice of three body styles and two engine options – 148bhp 2.4 and 201bhp 2.8 turbodiesels with six speed manual or automatic transmission. All versions have a payload of at least one tonne and are capable of towing braked loads up to 3.5 tonnes. All-wheel drive comes as standard and the pick-up’s body-on-frame construction ensures robust performance, whatever the conditions.
Corolla Commercial is based on the Corolla Touring Sports passenger car, adapting its estate car form into a capacious and user-friendly van. The 1.8-litre self-charging full hybrid electric powertrain gives smooth and highly efficient performance with the proven quality, durability and reliability that business users require.
For more information about these and other models in the Toyota Professional range, visit www.toyota.co.uk.
Up to 10 years/100,000 miles warranty
In common with all Toyota models – commercial vehicles and passenger cars alike – Hilux and Corolla Commercial are eligible for a manufacturer’s warranty of up to 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first). This comprises an initial three-year manufacturer warranty, followed by up to a further seven years of service-activated warranty.
For the first three years of the car’s life, owners can have it serviced at a place of their choice. When the new car warranty period expires, they can then benefit from an additional 12 months (or 10,000 miles) warranty when they have their vehicle serviced at an authorised Toyota workshop, in line with its service schedule. The warranty is provided at no extra cost, up to a limit of 10 years/100,000 miles. Terms and conditions apply; full details are available at www.toyota.co.uk.
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