Built to order at Toyota New Zealand, the Hilux Mako aims to be the apex predator of the pickup truck segment. It sports 18-inch matte black alloy wheels with Maxxis Razr off-road tires, fender flares, tinted front windows, and heavy-duty steel bumpers for the front and rear.

Improving comfort and control—both on and off-road, the Hilux Mako gets ARB Old Man Emu BP-51 shock absorbers. The BP-51 high-performance by-pass shock absorbers have user adjustable compression and rebound damping control. They provide optimal performance for challenging terrain, towing or carrying loads (towing is still rated at 3,500 kilograms).

Also, to improve control, the Hilux’s brakes are upgraded with larger diameter front discs. The brake lines also get an upgrade to stainless steel braided ones that help increase hydraulic pressure on the pedal. This helps the feel and feedback, improves safety, and are more durable in harsh conditions than standard rubber lines.

Inside, the Hilux Mako receives side-impact airbag compatible sport leather seats with unique stitching and accents, and headrest branding. The steering wheel also has a color marker that indicates the 12 o’clock position.

The Hilux Mako runs on the newest version of Toyota’s 1GD-FTV engine. With that, the 2.8-liter turbo diesel generates 204 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque.

As for the price, well, the Hilux Mako is priced at NZD 79,990 (about P 2.55 million). While that seems expensive, it’s worth noting that its direct competitor, the Ranger Raptor sells for about NZD 84,990 (about P 2.71 million).