Owner reviews. Toyota Hilux Surf

Toyota Hilux Surf is one of the first Japanese SUVs that began to be imported to Kazakhstan after the collapse of the USSR and the raising of barriers at the borders. The model immediately found both its fans and opponents. Considering myself more likely to be in the first category of the above-mentioned citizens, I will try to tell you why “Surf” still touches the soul.

First, let's look back a little. Toyota Motor Corporation began producing Hilux Surf SUVs in 1984. The cars were exported with left-hand drive under the name 4Runner, and for the domestic market - naturally, right-hand drive, and they became those very “surfs”, one of which - a representative of the second generation of the model, produced since 1988 - will be discussed today. I will immediately note that I am writing this review based on the experience of my own operation of a personal car.

The car is 1995. I got the SSR-G (in the luxury sense) configuration off the grid, that is, straight from Japan in 2004 for very reasonable money. The engine is a three-liter diesel 1 KZ-TE, automatic transmission, the condition is not ideal, but quite sane. The mileage at that time was 135,000 km, and, apparently, not twisted. That's what it said on the auction list. The second-generation “surfs” were produced in a five-door body, it was this (I somehow didn’t take the short ones seriously then), as well as the engine power and high ground clearance that prompted me to buy at that time.

Design and appearance

The Hilux Surf is based on the Toyota Hilux pickup truck. In the USA, the model was released under the name 4Runner. The fourth and last generation of Surf appeared on the world market in 2003.

This SUV with a frame body was produced exclusively in a version with five doors and had the same number of seats. It belongs to the line of mid-size cars produced by the Japanese brand.

In appearance, the car resembles the Mitsubishi Highlander and the representative of the same segment – ​​Sequoia. The design of the Toyota Hilux Surf is discreet and quite modest. The SUV has smooth lines and transitions without sharp corners, and an oblong body. The side doors at the bottom are decorated with narrow relief. For ease of entry, the car is equipped with massive thresholds.

The wheel arches are high, convex and angular, which indicates good cross-country ability. This is emphasized by the sloping rear pillar, as well as the massive front bumper. At the same time, the discreet classic radiator grille suggests that the Hilux Surf is not only intended for off-road use - it will fit perfectly into the urban rhythm of life.

The taillights are vertical, and an additional brake light is located on the volumetric spoiler. The front lighting is wide. The roof is decorated with roof rails, and on its rear part there is a short radio antenna.

In 2005, a restyled version of the SUV was released. The changes did not affect the technical characteristics, but the appearance was updated. The radiator grille acquired a more “aggressive” shape, and the body itself began to look sportier.

At first glance, a man's car! And on the second, and on the third...

Externally, the Hilux Surf immediately gives the impression of a serious SUV. The characteristic design, 22 centimeters under the bottom and 265/70 tires on 15-inch wheels without question make you believe that the car is not only intended for driving through city puddles. And the steel engine protection, thick metal bumpers and the original guard are further proof of this.

The interior decoration is quite simple: typical gray plastic of the time and velor, but the interior, despite the age of the car, is not creaky. The steering column is height adjustable. All instruments and buttons are, as they say, at hand - clearly visible and easily accessible. Electric windows on all five doors, the climate system is primitive and includes only two regulators: heating intensity and blowing power. But there is a stove, also with adjustable temperature, operating in two modes Low and Hi (turned on with buttons), warming up passengers in the back seat (which has saved us more than once in cold weather). The visibility in the mirrors is excellent: the dimensions of the car and the distance to neighboring cars are felt impeccably, the blind spot is not very large, but sometimes you need to look not only in the mirror, but also at the windows on the passenger side for peace of mind.

The seats are comfortable at first glance, but... extremely low. It is the location of the front seats that scares away most potential car owners from “surfs”. The seating position is like in a low passenger car - on the floor. In the cabin, essentially, you lie down (or sit in an L shape). The driver's seat moves back, seemingly far, but still not enough for tall people due to the lack of reach adjustment for the steering column. And tall drivers have to ride with their knees bent. In the city, with small movements this is not critical, but on long hauls you begin to get pretty tired from such a landing.

Salon

Thanks to a successful color palette of beige, gray and dark tones, the Toyota Hilux Surf interior looks light and spacious.

For the convenience of the driver and passengers, wide armrests are designed on the doors, next to which there are locking buttons and window lifts.

Finishing materials are of high quality, plastic is resistant to scratches and minor damage. The instrument panel consists of three separate wells that display information about the vehicle's status.

The center console is equipped with many buttons through which you can adjust the climate inside, select the airflow angle, turn on heated seats, etc. A music player is installed in its upper part, and above it is an LCD monitor. The steering wheel has a classic design without additional sections.

For convenient structuring of things, the luggage compartment is divided into two parts by a removable shelf. There are also many boxes and containers for glasses inside the machine.

Hiux Surf has another design feature - its rear window can be raised. In this way, the interior is quickly ventilated and cooled, this is especially important in warm weather, and also allows you to use the air conditioner less often and save fuel.

Hilux Surf models and photos

The serial numbers of Toyota Hilux Surf models start with the designation N60. These are the numbers that were assigned to the first generation of the SUV. It came out in 1984.

The second generation (N120/130) was produced from 1989:

A restyled version was released in 1991:

In 1998, the world saw the third generation of Hilux Surf (N180):

The Japanese company updated the appearance of the car in 2000:

The final fourth generation (N210) went on sale in 2003:

And in 2005 Surf was restyled:

Specifications

The entire Hilux Surf range is equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission. The buyer is offered two types of drive: all-wheel drive (4WD) and rear-wheel drive.

Body length – 4,805 mm, width – 1,910 mm, height – 1,790 mm. The car weighs 1,850 kg. The car owes its good off-road performance to its high ground clearance. Its ground clearance is 205 mm.

The rear suspension consists of a continuous axle, the front suspension is independent on double wishbones. As additional options, it was possible to purchase the X-reas gas-hydraulic system. This mechanism aligns the position of the wheels, making the shock absorbers harder or softer, depending on the road surface.

According to the technical specifications, the wheelbase of the Toyota Hilux Surf is 2,790 mm. The minimum turning radius is 5.7 meters, but, according to owners, the SUV is maneuverable at high speed, and when driving slowly, the roll and sway are felt more.

Trunk volume – 1,195 l.

What a big one!

This is exactly what I want to exclaim when I see the trunk of the Surf. With the rear seats folded down, I, with my 188 cm, fit in the trunk with almost no problems. Only I had to lie down a little diagonally. Having traveled thousands of kilometers in this car around the Almaty region, I really forgot what a tent is. The trunk volume allowed me to take whatever I wanted on the road, and I was happy to carry a mattress of suitable width and a couple of pillows. During the overnight stay, the belongings were safely unloaded under the car and the interior turned into a fairly comfortable double bed. The trunk was covered with a retractable curtain.

A separate story is the back door, supported by a “gate” with a mounted spare tire. This door is hinged. Moreover, this can only be done by lowering the rear window. The glass is controlled either by a button from the interior or by turning the key in the lock on the rear door. And the door itself tilts down like a folding table. Many people find this device annoying, but I am more than happy with it. After all, when traveling, the door, depending on the situation, turns into either a table, a bench for sitting, or simply allows you to throw long cargo into the trunk.

Engine and gas consumption

The fuel tank capacity of the Toyota Hilux Surf is 87 liters. On average, its reserve is enough for 600 kilometers.

Did not like:

• high ground clearance
• powerful engine
• spacious salon
• spacious trunk

• uncomfortable fit
• lack of center differential
• vulnerable plastic interior and trunk

Specifications

Automobile

Engine

Dynamic characteristics

Transmission

Suspension

Brakes

Dimensions and weight

Options and prices

The SSR-X is considered the basic package. It is equipped with:

• power steering;
• front fog light;
• electric side mirrors and power windows;
• central locking;
• remote control key;
• front passenger and driver airbags;
• BAS;
• climate control.

Price: 1,900,000 rubles.

The next most complete assembly is the SSR-G assembly. It adds to the above:

• leather steering wheel;
• wood-like interior trim;
• rear fog lights.

Price: 2,000,000 rubles.

The SSR-X Limited 4WD also includes:

• roof rails;
• factory tinting;
• ABS, EBD;
• alloy wheels;
• anti-theft system.

Price: 2,100,000 rubles.

There is no point in overpaying for the maximum configuration, since it has few unique functions; the car enthusiast can do without them.

Reviews

Vyacheslav:

“After I saw a photo of the Toyota Hilux Surf restyling, I wanted to buy this car. Picked it up at an auction in Japan. I am the second owner.

Over 70 thousand mileage I only change consumables: boots, filters, wheel bearing. Overall the car is very reliable, I drove it long distances. The suspension is soft, comfortable handling. To complete the picture, the Hilux Surf would also like to see a bridge locking function.

I have a black body, in the summer it warms up quickly, it’s hot inside. But I mostly drive with the windows open. If you turn on the air conditioning, your gasoline consumption will be around 20 liters per hundred meters.”

Andrey:

“I used to drive a Prado, but decided to switch to another Toyota. I liked the Surf because it is a frame car, and in 2021 this is a rarity. I looked at the reviews on Drome, they only reinforced my desire to buy. I went to Vladivostok to pick up the car, and on the way back I got used to the right-hand drive. Now this does not cause discomfort.

I went fishing on the Surf and it handles off-road conditions well. The passport for my 2.7 all-wheel drive indicates consumption within 12 liters, but in reality I get 16.

In winter I felt the shortcomings. Due to permanent all-wheel drive, controllability is lost on slippery roads.”

Dmitriy:

“The Hilux Surf is a real workhorse that will never let you down. I traveled all over central Russia with it. Track, dirt, off-road – she can do it all.

The car is playful and fast. The interior is spacious and comfortable, nothing creaks. After 2 years of operation, only the damper for switching the direction of air supply became jammed.”

I go to a car service center exclusively for scheduled replacements of consumables. Well, I also did some minor tuning - I installed a “knuckle bar” and had it made to order.

Anatoly:

“When I got into the car for the first time, I was impressed by how soft the chassis was. Small holes and irregularities on the road are not felt at all. But if you drive slowly on the dirt road, you feel a roll.

The interior is luxurious: a large glove compartment, comfortable wide armrests, the rear seats can be folded into a flat floor and transport large cargo.

The Hilux Surf is unpretentious in maintenance. It’s easy to change the cabin filters and oil yourself; I don’t go to a service station for this. But over 8 years of operation, I inspected the front calipers twice - this is Surf’s weak point.”

Seven feet under the keel

- factory kengurin

—

roll-down tailgate window

—

original “gate” for the spare tire

Operation of the Hilux Surf both on asphalt and off-road has shown that it is in vain that they are trying to criticize it as an SUV. Permanent rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, plug-in, which saves fuel. On a flat surface the car moves easily, the three-liter 1 KZ-TE allows you to even run away from traffic lights when you really want to. The four-speed automatic transmission does not stall, the turbo lag is not too large, which is important when overtaking. The Surf takes turns confidently, while holding the road firmly, without blockages or skids. Of course, you shouldn’t try to fit the car into a sharp turn at 120 km/h; after all, it’s narrow, long and tall for this. This is where the stories about shapeshifters come from.

I didn’t risk accelerating the Surf more than 150 km/h: at high speeds there was a persistent feeling that the car’s wheels were no longer clinging to the asphalt. And the consumption increased sharply after 110–120 km/h. In the city, the car consumed 18 liters of diesel fuel per hundred, on the highway - 9–9.5. For driving on asphalt, I give the Surf a solid A, but with a note - up to 110 km/h.

Going off-road allows you to understand that the car is submissive to this element, albeit with minor reservations. You just need to feel the diesel three-liter “Surf”, engage all-wheel drive in time, lower gears and monitor the temperature (which, as I already said, unknowingly got burned). With proper handling, this jeep is capable of conquering almost any mountains and ravines. I even climbed the Alpengrad pass in my Surf, located in the Small Almaty Gorge, above the Mynzhylki weather station. Moreover, on a completely destroyed dirt road, replete with gullies and large boulders.

With all-wheel drive, the car crossed sands and small swamps without any problems. I didn’t drive it into serious trophy mud, I won’t embellish it, and I didn’t set such a task for myself, but my Hilux Surf emerged from many off-road scrapes with honor and dignity. At the same time, more than once I had to pull out stuck cars and SUVs myself. At first glance, the transfer case in the car is not very universal, allowing you to connect front-wheel drive only on slippery or loose surfaces due to the lack of a center differential, but just get used to the fact that when driving on dry asphalt you need to switch the transmission mode to rear-wheel drive, there are no more inconveniences arises.