2011 Toyota Hilux Single Cab Photos, engines & full specs

Toyota launched a second facelift for the seventh generation of its well-known Hilux pickup in 2011, postponing the introduction of the eighth generation a few years due to the world financial crisis.

The Japanese automaker, like anyone else, suffered from the world financial crisis that started in 2007. Even though its financial status was solid, it didn’t mean it had to spend money like crazy to launch new products. But still, the Hilux’s seventh generation was already an old vehicle since it had been on the market for seven years. Even after the 2008 update, changes were not essential to make it look like a new model, but the one launched in 2011 was at a different level. Toyota redesigned the entire front part of the vehicle from the A-pillars forward. Besides the Double Cab version, which was more appropriate for families, and the Extended Cab, which served as an alternative for work/family time pickup, the Hilux was available as a Single Cab vehicle as well.

Toyota knew that a facelift should look different from its non-refreshed version, so it created a new front fascia for the 2011 Hilux Single Cab. It featured redesigned headlights with an angular shape flanked by a three-slat grille, where it placed the brand’s badge and, above it, a chromed trim. The automaker also introduced a new bumper featuring a reversed trapezoidal air intake in the middle flanked by a pair of scoops for the available fog lamps.

The Hilux Single Cab was created as the workhorse of the family. It was the version that traded cabin space for a loading area. As a result, it had a two-door cabin with a short roof since it had to accommodate only two occupants. In its entry-level grade, the pickup had black bumpers, door handles, and mirror caps to reduce repair costs. However, the most significant upgrade for the single cab was that it used the chassis from the 4x4 version, even for vehicles fitted with 2WD systems. This means that the ground clearance was slightly higher than on its predecessor. At the back, the tailgate housed the third brake light in its upper area, flanked by the clear taillights mounted on the quarter panels’ endings.

Inside, the automaker used hard plastic materials for the redesigned dashboard. Even though it looked better than before, thanks to the longitudinal lines, it still had the look of a utility vehicle, especially for the base level. Customers could get the vehicle even without an AC unit or a stereo on the center stack, while the center console housed the gear stick and the available selector for the transfer box. Furthermore, the upholstery was made from fabric, and there were no options for leather seating. Fronting the driver was the same instrument panel with three round individual clusters where the speedometer took center stage and was flanked by the tachometer on the left and by the fuel level and coolant temperature gauges on the right.

Under the hood, the 2011 Toyota Hilux Single Cab had a reworked 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. For selected countries, the automaker offered a 4x4 system with a two-speed transfer case that sent the power to both axles when needed.