Toyota Responds To HiLux ‘Moose Test’ Instability

Jeremey Clarkson, no less, once said “thank goodness there’s a small Swedish publication that still does things properly”.

He was referring to the now infamous first generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class and the relative ease with which it could potentially roll should the driver need to perform a sudden swerving manoeuvre.

Clarkson, like others, had believed that the A-Class was a new model worthy of the three-pointed star badge, and test drives in normal situations had done nothing to sway him or the rest of the motoring press otherwise in the A-Class’s earliest days.

In Sweden they call it the ‘moose test’ - a sudden swerve to the left or right and then back in the opposite direction to simulate the avoidance of a moose standing on the road during everyday driving.

The small publication is Teknikens Varld, and the same group of thorough testers has now exposed a similar flaw with the current Toyota HiLux.

The HiLux with 830kg in its tray (170kg less than the one tonne payload) comes close to coming a cropper during the moose test, and the Swedish mag noticed this behaviour when the pickup was tested on both 16- and 18-inch wheels. 

Days later, the test was performed for a third time with 17-inch wheels used on the final occasion. Similar (but improved) results ensued, but at no stage in any of the tests did the HiLux actually roll or tip onto its side.

Safety