Serving as a stalwart in the CAR long-term garage, our team members share their thoughts on the stylish and affordable Toyota Hilux Raider X Limited Edition, which in all of its time with us did not put a tyre out. 
Looking for your next new or used car? Find it here with CARmag!
Time spent: 2 months
Distance covered: 2 598 km
Average fuel consumption: 7.9 L/100 km
We like: Durable mechanicals, stylish extras
We don’t like: Narrow peak torque band
Drivers: Siyauya Mbaduli & Braam Peens
Arriving in our garage just ahead of the festive season and the subject of a road test in our March 2024 issue of the magazine, the Raider X spent a busy couple of months in the CAR fleet, where it undertook numerous duties; from handling everyday tasks to consecutive journeys to Knysna. In doing so, the X proved a durable yet practical proposition that’s been cleverly packaged and positioned to meet the needs of a motoring audience that’s increasingly feeling the financial pinch.
Recognising the public’s appetite for stylish lifestyle double-cabs, Toyota quietly replaced the Raider 2.4 GD6 4×4 with manual and automatic versions of the X. In going for the 2.4 GD6 4×4 as the foundation of this limited-edition model, as opposed to the more powerful 2.8, the firm has managed to implement some crowd-pleasing cosmetic upgrades while keeping the price to a competitive R674 800.
Related: What’s in the Issue – May 2024
Among these additional styling elements are 17-inch bicolour alloy wheels, black wheel arch guards with red trim inserts, a unique grille and a louvred rear-styling bar. Inside, the changes from the 2.6 GD6 are less pronounced – the most notable being tastefully upholstered cloth seats that are supportive and feel durably trimmed. While this model forgoes extras, such as leather trim, keyless entry and ignition, passenger-side vanity mirror and driver’s side footrest, we didn’t feel as though these omissions detracted from the driving experience in any way. In keeping with the down-to-earth specification, the X doesn’t ship with any of the active safety features found higher up in the model range, but the essentials such as traction control, ABS with EBD, stability control, trailer sway mitigation and hill-start assist are present.
Although we didn’t come close to pushing the envelope of the X’s 660 kg payload limit, we nonetheless threw some substantial loads, including garden refuse and a family of four’s luggage on a road trip to Knysna its way. The standard rubber lining protected the load bay from knicks and scratches from branches in former case, while the tonneau cover kept more delicate luggage dry and dirt-free on the road trip. The spring-loaded tailgate was also a boon, making opening and closing less of a snatchy exercise.
Related: Living With It – Toyota Hilux Raider X Limited Edition
Round town, the 2.4-litre turbodiesel’s 110 kW and 400 N.m of torque – the latter accessible from 1 600 r/min – proved ample, but the narrow band in which full torque is delivered means motorway overtaking requires a heavy throttle foot and some gearbox stirring to maintain momentum. Even so, the X’s ride and handling demeanour is relaxed and predictable, and one of our Knysna trips with four aboard saw the X return a respectable 7.3 L/100 km.
Overall, the Hilux X didn’t put a tyre wrong during its time with us and we admire Toyota’s approach in offering a stylish yet affordable slice of lifestyle bakkie motoring.
Find the full article in the May 2024 issue of CAR Magazine.
