Toyota Hilux vs Gwm P Series

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Toyota Hilux in South Africa

Toyota Hilux

2.8 GD-6 4X4 Legend RS Double Cab 6AT Diesel Automatic
ZAR 917,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 165 kW 🔧 550 Nm ⛽ 11.5 km/l
VS
Gwm P Series in South Africa

Gwm P Series

2.0T Double Cab LX 4x4 Diesel Automatic
ZAR 599,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 480 Nm ⛽ 9.8 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Hilux
Fuel Economy Hilux
🛡 Safety Hilux
📦 Practicality Hilux
🔑 Ownership P Series
Hilux starts ZAR 444900 cheaper Hilux from ZAR 326,200 · P Series from ZAR 444,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec Hilux P Series
Engine Power 165 110
Torque 550 480
Engine Size 2755 1996
Claimed Mileage 11.5 9.8
Ground Clearance 286 210
Boot Space 0 -
Airbags 7 6
Kerb Weight 2120 1985
Seating Capacity Available 5
Warranty 3 5

= leads in this spec

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

🏆 Winner
#1

Hilux

67
/ 100
+7
pts
#2

P Series

60
/ 100

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

The Bottom Line

Both Hilux and P Series are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Hilux +4 pts
Efficiency Hilux +6 pts
Safety Hilux +2 pts
Practicality Hilux +3 pts
Ownership P Series +8 pts

Score Breakdown by Category

🏆 Overall Winner

Hilux

Performance 18/20
Efficiency 6/20
Safety 20/20
Practicality 11/20
Ownership 12/20

P Series

Performance 14/20
Efficiency 0/20
Safety 18/20
Practicality 8/20
Ownership 20/20

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

Hilux

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

P Series

Strengths
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

Hilux

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

P Series

  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Hilux P Series
Ground Clearance 286 210
Wheelbase 3085 3220
Length 5325 5360
Width 1900 1900
Height 1865 1815
Kerb Weight 2120 1985
Gross Vehicle Weight 3150 3000
Seating Capacity 5 5
Boot Space 0 -
Towing Capacity 3500 3500
Number of Doors 5 4
Boot Space Seats Folded 1500 0
Front Track Width 1550 1560
Rear Track Width 1540 1560
Turning Radius Available 13.6
Load Bed Length Available 1520
Load Bed Width Available 1560
Front Legroom Available 1070
Rear Legroom Available 880
Front Headroom Available 1020
Rear Headroom Available 975
Front Shoulder Room Available 1440
Rear Shoulder Room Available 1420
Max Payload Available 900
Boot Volume Available 0
Doors Available 4
Seats Available 5
Front Overhang Available 980
Fuel Tank Capacity Available 75
Rear Overhang Available 1160
Spec Hilux P Series
Engine 2.8L GD Turbo Diesel High Output 2.0L GW4D20 Turbocharged Diesel
Engine Type Inline 4 Turbocharged Intercooled Inline 4 Cylinder Turbocharged Diesel
Displacement 2755 1996
Cylinders 4 4
Valves per Cylinder 4 16
Power 165 110
Torque 550 480
Fuel System Common Rail Direct Injection Common Rail Direct Injection
Top Speed 185 175
0-100 km/h 9.8 110
Cylinder Layout Inline 4 (I4) Inline 4 (I4)
Engine Aspiration Turbocharged Turbocharged
Engine Code Standard GW4D20
Compression Ratio 10.5:1 16.5:1
Cylinder Bore 82.0 84
Piston Stroke 92.0 90
Fuel Grade Required Petrol Diesel
Turbocharger Turbo Yes
Power @ RPM 150 3,400-3,600 rpm
Torque @ RPM 400 1,600-2,600 rpm
Engine Position Available Front Longitudinal
Engine Oil Capacity Available 8.0
Power 150 148
Variable Valve Timing Available No
Maximum Engine RPM Available 4,000
Engine Type Config Available Inline 4 Cylinder (I4) DOHC 16-Valve Turbocharged
0–100 km/h Available 13.2
Battery Capacity Available -
Charging Port Available -
AC Charging Time Available -
Engine Displacement Available 1996
EV Range Available -

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Toyota Hilux wins with 67 pts vs 60 pts for P Series

In structured scoring, Hilux emerges as the stronger overall package. However, P Series may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Hilux edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: Hilux 6 vs P Series 0. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: Hilux 20, P Series 18. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: Hilux 12, P Series 20. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: Hilux 11, P Series 8. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Hilux 18, P Series 14. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Hilux edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Hilux scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between Hilux and P Series in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Hilux scores 18 vs 14.

Efficiency: Hilux scores 6 vs 0.

Safety: Hilux scores 20 vs 18.

Practicality: Hilux scores 11 vs 8.

Ownership: Hilux scores 12 vs 20.

Final structured scoring gives Hilux the advantage in this comparison.