Now locked in battle with Ford’s Ranger for bragging rights over who has the top-selling ute in Australia, Toyota has moved to update its HiLux one-tonner with a wide-ranging revamp that brings eight new automatic variants to the comprehensive 31-model line-up.

This is the first major overhaul of the series since the current eighth generation was launched in 2015, and Toyota has dropped the slow-selling 4.0L V6 petrol engine in favour of a variety of new variants with the more popular 2.8L turbo-diesel.

The latter includes two new SR extra cab chassis variants (4×4 manual and automatic), two SR+ double cab pick-ups (also in 4×4 manual and auto, adding satellite navigation and alloy wheels), an SR5 extra cab pick-up 4×4 automatic and two new Hi-Rider pick-up variants with an auto transmission – a 4×2 SR extra cab and 4×2 double cab SR5.

The tradie-targeted WorkMate grade, with a smaller 2.4L turbo-diesel engine, is also now available in three new variants: as a Hi-Rider 4×2 automatic in dual cab pick-up body style, a 4×4 double cab chassis automatic and 4×4 extra cab chassis auto.

Toyota says buyers are increasingly demanding an automatic gearbox – accounting for 60% of all HiLux sales at last count, and rising – but do not necessarily want to push up to the top-of-the-range SR5 and SR5+ model grades, hence the emphasis here on SR and Workmate.

Demand among the trades for the Hi-Rider grade (with its higher ground clearance), but with a 4×2 driveline, also prompted the market-leading Japanese brand to expand its range with this combination, while the additional cab chassis variants – 4×4 WorkMate dual cab, for example – keep a lid on pricing for those who need the ability to add a purpose-built tray for particular trade applications.

All up, there are 10 new variants which effectively replace 10 slower-selling models, most of which were linked with the now-unavailable petrol V6. Pricing remains either unchanged or with modest rises or reductions (+/- up to $80 as the case may be).

Among detail changes, all SR variants now have a more durable and convenient ‘hose out’ PVC floor covering rather than carpet, SR 4×4 dual cabs add downhill assist control, and SR5 gains LED foglamps and a tailgate lock (also a feature on SR extra cab pick-ups). Select variants also now have rear air vents.

The 2.8L four-cylinder turbo-diesel produces 130kW of power at 3,400rpm and, in the auto, 450Nm of torque from 1,600-2,400rpm. Maximum torque in the manual is 420Nm.

The 2.4L diesel in WorkMate variants are good for 110kW at 3,400rpm and, for manual 4×2 single and double cabs, 343Nm from 1,400-2,800rpm. The 4×2 double cab auto and all 4×4 variants muster 400Nm from 1,600-2,000rpm.

At the entry level, HiLux continues to offer a 2.7L four-cylinder petrol engine on 4×2 WorkMate single and double cabs, delivering 122kW at 5,200rpm and 245Nm at 4,000rpm.

Out of 31 variants, 23 are genuine one-tonners, including all 4×2 variants and all 4×4 single and extra cabs. Only the 4×4 dual cabs are below 1t, ranging from 920kg to 955kg. Braked towing capacity ranges from 2,500kg to 3,500kg, depending on the variant.

Pricing starts at $20,990 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Workmate 4×2 single cab chassis 2.7 petrol manual, and tops out at $58,440 plus on-roads for the SR5+ 4×4 double cab pick-up 2.8 diesel auto.