Toyota is taking the rare step of offering what is in effect a $4000 discount for HiLux buyers, but they’ll have to jump through a few hoops before they can benefit from the ‘deposit bonus’ for the SR5 variant.

The biggest condition is that the vehicles have to be bought through Toyota Finance, with a minimum finance amount of $10,000. Customers must order and have their finance applications submitted from September 1 to December 31 this year, and finance must be settled by February 28.

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New and demonstrator versions of the SR5 built from August last year to December this year fall under the offer, but Toyota is not extending the discount to the battery-electric version. Private buyers are eligible, as are customers in Toyota’s Bronze and Silver fleet sales categories.

The eligible 4×4 SR5 runs a 150kW, 500Nm 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine paired with a  48-volt mild hybrid system for the lineup-topping double-cab cab chassis variant. The SR5 differs from the Workmate and SR versions of the HiLux thanks to features like suspension with a ‘comfort’ tune, heated front seats and 18-inch wheels.

The ‘deposit bonus’ will give it an edge in its battle with Australia’s most popular car, according to September’s VFACTS figures, the Ford Ranger. The HiLux sold 4455 units that month compared to the Ford’s 5062, representing an 11.7 per cent drop for the Toyota compared to the same time last year.  

When WhichCar by Wheels put the Ford Ranger and the SR5 head-to-head in December last year, we found that the Toyota had the edge in equipment, but was held back by its expensive servicing.