Toyota HiLux Champ officially launches, not coming to Australia

The Toyota HiLux Champ – a heavy-duty ute for developing countries – has been officially revealed for its home market of Thailand, but it’s no closer to being sold in Australia.

A production version of the IMV 0 Concept – translated to Innovating International Multi-Purpose Vehicle – which debuted in December 2022, the HiLux Champ is Toyota’s low-cost commercial vehicle for Southeast Asia, giving buyers an alternative to the full-size HiLux.

Available in both short- and long-wheelbase styles – measuring 2750mm and 3085mm between the axles, respectively – the Toyota HiLux Champ stacks up at 4970mm (SWB) or 5300mm (LWB) in length, 1785mm wide and 1735mm high.

Despite its smaller appearance compared to a regular HiLux, the long-wheelbase HiLux Champ shares the same distance between its axles as the single-cab chassis HiLux Workmate in Australia, while it is 35mm longer, 15mm narrower and 15mm shorter in height than the popular ute.

The HiLux Champ’s trays vary between 2312mm and 2647mm in length, while boasting a payload capacity of 1000kg.

Three engines are on offer – a pair of 2.0-litre (102kW/183Nm) and 2.7-litre (122kW/245Nm) petrol engines, and a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel which produces 110kW/400Nm.

Both the 2.7-litre and 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engines are found in the Australian-delivered Toyota HiLux Workmate variants, though the HiLux Champ misses out on its full-size sibling’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel.

A six-speed automatic transmission is exclusive to the higher-output petrol and diesel engines, while the 2.0-litre petrol offering is only available with a five-speed manual – all Toyota HiLux Champ variants are rear-wheel-drive.

Standard equipment across the range includes 14-inch wheels, driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock braking and seat belt pre-tensioners.

While the HiLux Champ’s features list is bare for entry-level variants – with halogen headlights, manual wind-down window handles, just two speakers and vinyl upholstery as standard – better-equipped variants come with LED headlights, electric windows and mirrors, plus orange dashboard trim.

In Thailand, the Toyota HiLux Champ is priced from 459,000 to 577,000 baht – equivalent to $19,800 to $24,900 in Australian currency – compared to the 564,000 ($AU24,300) baht starting price of the standard HiLux.

Unfortunately for Australians who want a HiLux Champ, it is unlikely to be sold in local showrooms, with the brand’s vice-president of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley, saying it isn’t intended to meet Australian requirements.

“We've got our (ute) model line-up with Hilux, and (the HiLux Champ) is just not a real good fit right now. So within our model lineup, we’re pretty set right now.

“(The HiLux Champ) will be a great addition for the Asian market, but it just shows the diversity of Toyota’s product line-up and product thinking.”