Hilux auto vs manual
Poll: Hilux auto vs manual
Total Members Polled: 10
Discussion
Potentially getting a new Hilux work ute soon (currently chugging around in a 2014 Hilux) and tossing up whether to angle for manual or auto (though it may depend on availability too).
For the most part I'm a manual guy through and through, most autos end up irritating me to varying degrees. I live in small-town rural NZ so I have minimal city traffic driving, lots of twisty hilly roads and gravel, and a bit of proper off-road use (for both work and play). Only occasional towing.
So in general manual suits my use best and I enjoy it more, I prefer the direct control rather than waiting for a computer to second-guess what I want to do.
But the current Hilux has a substantial torque difference between the auto and manual, 500Nm (369lbft) auto vs 420Nm (309lbft) manual. I'm guessing the manual is detuned/torque limited to protect the gearbox, and can't help wondering if everything is just optimised more for the auto with the manual as an afterthought option for traditionalists.
Have any of you fine folk driven both manual and auto versions of the current model Hilux to give some feedback on how they drive, how much you can feel the difference in torque etc?
For the most part I'm a manual guy through and through, most autos end up irritating me to varying degrees. I live in small-town rural NZ so I have minimal city traffic driving, lots of twisty hilly roads and gravel, and a bit of proper off-road use (for both work and play). Only occasional towing.
So in general manual suits my use best and I enjoy it more, I prefer the direct control rather than waiting for a computer to second-guess what I want to do.
But the current Hilux has a substantial torque difference between the auto and manual, 500Nm (369lbft) auto vs 420Nm (309lbft) manual. I'm guessing the manual is detuned/torque limited to protect the gearbox, and can't help wondering if everything is just optimised more for the auto with the manual as an afterthought option for traditionalists.
Have any of you fine folk driven both manual and auto versions of the current model Hilux to give some feedback on how they drive, how much you can feel the difference in torque etc?
Thanks for the thoughts.
They don't even sell the 2.4 here as far as I can see but I'd still go for the 2.8 if they did!
They do say the manual 2.8 has a wider band of peak torque than the auto so maybe its tuned for a bit more flexibility where the auto tries to stay in a narrower but higher powerband. They also quote better fuel economy for the manual.
Still have to wait for company directors approval (sounding positive but they may yet decide to get a new vehicle themselves and give me a hand-me-down instead) so I'm waiting for that before talking to the local dealer about availability etc.
They don't even sell the 2.4 here as far as I can see but I'd still go for the 2.8 if they did!
They do say the manual 2.8 has a wider band of peak torque than the auto so maybe its tuned for a bit more flexibility where the auto tries to stay in a narrower but higher powerband. They also quote better fuel economy for the manual.
Still have to wait for company directors approval (sounding positive but they may yet decide to get a new vehicle themselves and give me a hand-me-down instead) so I'm waiting for that before talking to the local dealer about availability etc.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 12th February 21:15
Pretty much every time I have to overtake someone in my current 2014 3.0 Hilux I miss my old Legacy GTB... I reckon the 2014 feels slower than the 2007 Hilux I had before it, and slower than my old '96 3.2td Nissan Terrano as well!
At least I still have an MX5 for fun driving.
At least I still have an MX5 for fun driving.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 12th February 23:24
Update: test drove an auto, local dealer didn't have a new manual in stock for a back-to-back test but I've driven a 2018-ish manual one which has most of the same bits.
The auto wasn't bad but it still had just enough of that traditional autobox delay while it thinks about things for a moment before responding. Not a huge deal but enough to bug me a little. I'm sure you get used it and drive around the delay (and it might be clever enough to learn your driving style over time), but I'd rather have the simplicity and directness of a manual.
The auto test drive combined with being able to get the higher spec SR5 manual for the same price as the base spec SR auto made it a fairly easy decision to go with the manual.
The manual also has 2mpg better fuel economy figures, though that's not much of an issue for a work vehicle.
Now I just have to wait a week or two for before ordering because the company wants to push it into the next financial year, and then probably another 2 or 3 months for it to actually arrive in stock...
The auto wasn't bad but it still had just enough of that traditional autobox delay while it thinks about things for a moment before responding. Not a huge deal but enough to bug me a little. I'm sure you get used it and drive around the delay (and it might be clever enough to learn your driving style over time), but I'd rather have the simplicity and directness of a manual.
The auto test drive combined with being able to get the higher spec SR5 manual for the same price as the base spec SR auto made it a fairly easy decision to go with the manual.
The manual also has 2mpg better fuel economy figures, though that's not much of an issue for a work vehicle.
Now I just have to wait a week or two for before ordering because the company wants to push it into the next financial year, and then probably another 2 or 3 months for it to actually arrive in stock...
Edited by GravelBen on Saturday 23 March 00:41
Forgot to update this thread! I've had it a few weeks now and happy that manual was the right choice for me, no regrets on that decision.
The gear ratios with the 6-speed seem a bit better judged in general than the old 2014 Hilux 5-speed, 1st is lower and doesn't tend to bog down pulling away the way the 2014 did. 6th is definitely a cruising gear, for undulating winding roads in the 50-60mph speed range its happier if you stay in 5th.
The 2.8 is noticeably torquier than the old 3.0 as well as being much smoother and quieter, the power band feels a bit wider and more flexible low down.
Overall compared to the 2014 it's pretty much as you expect for 10 years newer model - smoother, quieter, more civilised, less body roll. Lighter controls but less feel.
Pedal spacing is a bit awkward for H&T shifting unfortunately, but it does have an 'intelligent manual' option that automatically rev-matches gearshifts.
I'm a bit unaccustomed to most of the electronic nanny driver aids, but that would be the case with any new car - at least most of them you can adjust the sensitivity/intrusiveness or turn them off when you need to.
Its averaging around 28mpg so far, a bit better than the 2014 did with the same AT tyres (and the same enthusiastic driver). I imagine that will improve a bit as it runs in.
The gear ratios with the 6-speed seem a bit better judged in general than the old 2014 Hilux 5-speed, 1st is lower and doesn't tend to bog down pulling away the way the 2014 did. 6th is definitely a cruising gear, for undulating winding roads in the 50-60mph speed range its happier if you stay in 5th.
The 2.8 is noticeably torquier than the old 3.0 as well as being much smoother and quieter, the power band feels a bit wider and more flexible low down.
Overall compared to the 2014 it's pretty much as you expect for 10 years newer model - smoother, quieter, more civilised, less body roll. Lighter controls but less feel.
Pedal spacing is a bit awkward for H&T shifting unfortunately, but it does have an 'intelligent manual' option that automatically rev-matches gearshifts.
I'm a bit unaccustomed to most of the electronic nanny driver aids, but that would be the case with any new car - at least most of them you can adjust the sensitivity/intrusiveness or turn them off when you need to.
Its averaging around 28mpg so far, a bit better than the 2014 did with the same AT tyres (and the same enthusiastic driver). I imagine that will improve a bit as it runs in.
Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 12th June 07:20
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