Toyota Hilux Automatic vs. Manual – Which One is More Fuel Efficient?

From what Ive gathered, the fuel economy difference between the manual and automatic versions of the Toyota Hilux can depend on several factors, including driving style, road conditions, and how the vehicle is used. However, there are some general trends that I’ve noticed.

Many owners find that the manual transmission tends to be a bit more fuel-efficient, particularly on highways o r when driving in a consistent gear. This is because you have more control over the engine’s power and can shift at the most fuel-efficient points. In stop-and-go city traffic, though, manual transmission can be more work, and fuel economy can suffer if the driver is not as smooth with gear changes.

On the other hand, the automatic transmission is generally more convenient, especially in city driving o r on long trips, where you don’t have to worry about shifting gears constantly. However, some owners have reported that automatic transmissions can be slightly less fuel-efficient compared to manuals, especially if the transmission is not optimized for fuel efficiency o r if the driver tends to accelerate rapidly.

That said, with newer automatic Hilux models featuring advanced transmission systems like 6-speed o r 8-speed gearboxes, fuel efficiency has significantly improved. Some newer automatic versions perform almost on par with manual ones, especially with features like eco modes and more intelligent gear-shifting algorithms that adapt to driving conditions.

Personally, I’ve always felt that while the manual version might give me a slight edge in fuel economy if I’m driving conservatively, the automatic version provides better ease of use and might have a comparable mileage if driven efficiently, especially in heavy traffic o r urban conditions. Have you driven both versions, o r do you prefer one over the other based on your driving style?