Toyota Hilux Champ Launched For Less Than Half The Price Of Fortuner

Toyota Hilux Champ aka the mini Hilux has been launched today. The company had first showcased this pickup earlier this year at the Japan Mobility Show 2023. Toyota has first launched this product in Thailand today with a starting price tag of 459,000 Baht (Rs 10,91,457).

Toyota has today launched the Hilux Champ in the Thai market. The Hilux nameplate is synonymous with durability and Toyota is well known for making rugged, durable and capable pickup trucks. The company has announced that it will be manufacturing the Hilux Champ in the Samrong plant in Thailand. In a press release the company stated that, “Toyota decided to return to its origins to create an IMV pickup truck that is truly affordable and meets the needs of customers”. In the release Toyota also highlighted that the Hilux Champ has been developed under the leadership of the Chairman of Toyota, Akio Toyoda.

The Toyota Hilux Champ looks futuristic yet elementary and does seem like a retro classic pickup being brought to life. The Hilux Champ has been introduced in a single cab design with a long flatbed that can be put to commercial as well as personal use. Toyota has increased the rugged appeal of this vehicle with a bare flatbed, steel rims, a big black bumper at the front and no bumper look at the rear. The Hilux Champ measures 5,300 mm in length, 1,785 mm in width and 1,735 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 3,085 mm and it weighs 2,790 kilograms and has a maximum payload of 1 tonne. It is smaller in overall proportions in comparison to the regular Hilux being offered in the global market.

Toyota has introduced the Hilux Champ in the Thai market in three engine options, a 2.4 L diesel engine, a 2.0 L petrol engine and a 2.7 L petrol engine. The power figures for all these powertrains haven’t been revealed yet but the company has shared that this product will be offered with two transmission options, a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic. The company has also shared that this vehicle will be offered in 2WD drive configuration.

Japanese carmaker Toyota has today introduced its new pickup truck, the Hilux Champ in the Thai market for a starting price of 459,000 Baht (Rs 10,91,457). To put this price into perspective the Carmy is priced at 1,475,000 Baht, the Fortuner Legender is priced at 1,618,000 Baht and the Hilux 4X4 is priced at 750,000 Baht.

Toyota has not shared any information regarding this product’s arrival in the Indian market. However in the Indian market Toyota offers the Camry for Rs 46,17,000, the Fortuner Legender for Rs 43,66,000 and the Hilux for Rs 30,40,000. Although Toyota hasn’t revealed any plans for the entry of this product in the Indian market, if the company plans on bringing the Hilux champ to the Indian market; in what price range should the company introduce this product?