Toyota Hilux Champ Launched in Thailand

After showcasing the IMV 0 pickup concept at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, Toyota launched its production version called the Hilux Champ in Thailand. It is priced between 459,000 and 577,000 baht (roughly ₹10.91 lakh to ₹13.72 lakh) and comes with two pickup bed sizes. 

Toyota Hilux Champ design

The Hilux Champ has a very boxy design language and looks very utilitarian. The boxy front end has octagonal headlight housings with two horizontal LED daytime running light strips. The grille is divided into halves with ‘Toyota’ lettering on the top portion. The Hilux Champ also has a chunky front bumper adding to its butch looks. 

Moving to the sides, the Hilux Champ looks as basic as it's intended to be. The pickup bed can be opened from all three sides and the rear bed door has big Toyota lettering that has become iconic with the Hilux brand. The utilitarian-looking taillights are housed in the rear bumper. 

Toyota says the Hilux Champ can be customised as per the user’s need and there are around 10 different body styles on offer. Toyota also says it will provide information on around 100 accessory manufacturers to buyers to allow further customisation of the Hilux Champ. The different body styles available on the Hilux Champ include a food truck, camper, recreational vehicle (RV), medical van with refrigerator and more. 

The Hilux Champ has two sizes – short wheelbase and long wheelbase. Both can be had with the multiple aforementioned body styles and Toyota has provided multiple bolt holes to attach various accessories. 

Toyota Hilux Champ interior

The utilitarian theme continues inside as the Hilux Champ comes with a no-frills interior. It gets basic seats, plastic door cards and a rugged-looking dashboard. Speaking of which, it has a big cubby hole where an infotainment system can be mounted and it has physical buttons for the hazard lights and HVAC system. Even the instrument cluster only has the speedometer, fuel gauge and basic warning lights. The dial for the tachometer has been left blank and has Toyota Hilux lettering instead. 

Toyota Hilux Champ powertrains

Toyota is offering three different engines with the Hilux Champ. It gets a 2.4-litre diesel engine that produces 148 bhp and 343 Nm (400 Nm with automatic gearbox), a 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 137 bhp and 183 Nm and a 2.7-litre petrol engine churning out 164 bhp and 245 Nm. All three engines come with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox.