Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) announced its entry into the 4x4 experiential drives in 2023. Since then, the company has completed four such events across the country. We were part of the first-ever 4x4 X-Pedition that took place in the western ghats of Karnataka and again, Toyota invited us to attend the latest edition that took place in Guwahati recently.
There was also a heavily modified Toyota Hilux on display.
Out of four events, this was the only 4x4 X-Pedition where participants drove across two states – Assam and Meghalaya. It was a two-day event and it gave us a chance to experience the Toyota Hilux and Fortuner in a variety of driving conditions. One cool thing here is, that the 4x4expedition isn’t limited to Toyota customers as owners of SUVs from other brands can also participate in the event.
It was a convoy of more than 30 SUVs which included Toyota Hilux pickup trucks, Toyota Fortuners, Hyryder AWD, Maruti Suzuki Jimny and there was also one iconic Toyota Land Cruiser. The first destination was a rubber plantation park near Guwahati. After the route briefing, the long convoy of SUVs dominated the route and the drive took hardly an hour to reach the plantation.
We drove the Hilux, which was powered by a 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine paired to a 6-speed torque converter. This engine puts out 201 hp of power and 500 Nm of torque. The pick-up truck cruised through cities, tolls and other narrow bits effortlessly. The pick-up truck gets three drive modes - Eco, Normal and Power.
On the highway, in Eco and Normal mode, the engine and gearbox take a bit of time to respond but things improve significantly in Power mode. It gets to triple-digit speeds quickly but the engine does get loud when rushed. However, the noise levels are well within acceptable limits.
On the trail, the Hilux made it feel like child’s play. It included some steep inclines, gravel-filled slopes and narrow mud trails. The pick-up conquered every obstacle with ease. Some portions of this purpose-built trail were moderately challenging and were curated with a range of obstacles to simulate a tough terrain. That said, even the customers trying off-road drive for the first time never had a problem in their 4X4 vehicles.
The drive back was uneventful snd fairly straightforward but it was here that we missed the coil spring suspension setup of the Fortuner as the Hilux has a lead spring setup, which can be fairly bouncy unless the deck is loaded. Having been behind the wheel the entire day, we had a quick dinner and then hit the bed.
The next morning, after a nice breakfast, we checked out and headed towards Kharsati National Park, Meghalaya. After a long drive from Guwahati, our convoy reached the destination. On the highway, the Hilux surprised us with its brilliant dynamics. Despite its size and weight, the pick-up tackled the corners with ease. The weight gives great confidence at higher speeds while the steering does require minor corrections over long, winding corners. The company had set up a purpose-built off-road course which included many tough obstacles. It was primarily focused on showcasing the strong off-roading capabilities of Toyota cars.
The Hilux gets 4WD as standard across all variants and the four-wheel-drive with low range can be operated via a dial. This pick-up also comes with chunky 265/60 R18 tyres. An electronic differential lock for the rear axle and hill descent control are standard fit. We encountered side angle drops, log Crossing, steep side inclines, positive, and negative side inclines, axle articulation, deep ditches, river wading, massive tumblers and much more.
With the help of 4WD gear, a torquey diesel engine, chunky tyres, electronics and guidance from the experts, the pick-up aced the challenge and was absolutely calm and composed through all the obstacles with ease. The 4x4 X-Pedition underscored the durability and reliability of its vehicles while highlighting the lifestyle that is demanded by such vehicles.
Reflecting on my journey home, I reminisced about the enjoyable experiences I had with the pickup truck. From highways to narrow mountain roads and challenging off-road courses I enjoyed every bit of it. Additionally, I was deeply impressed by the capabilities demonstrated by the Hilux despite so much torture. It was just another proof of the bullet-proof reliability that Toyota is known for.
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