Toyota Hilux Engine: R, VZ, and RZ
The Toyota Hilux engine has been constantly updated since it first debuted in 1968. That first year, the Hilux was powered by a 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine called the 2R. It has since evolved many times over. Some models continued making use of a 4-cylinder engine while some models made a transition to larger V6 engines. Keep reading for more about the Toyota Hilux engine.
Toyota R Engine
The first family of engines used in the Toyota Hilux were the R engines. The R engine was a 4-cylinder petrol engine. It came in various forms from 1968 to 1995. The 2R, 3R, 8R, 8R-C, 8R-E, 12R, 18R, 18R-C, 18R-E, 20R, 22R, 22R-E, and 22R-TE were all different generations of the R family of engines to be used in the Hilux.
At the start, the 2R was a 1.5 litre engine that grew and had various factory modifications through the 2.4 litre 22R-E used in 1995. The 22R (22R-E and 22R-TE) has a long running reputation as one of the best Toyota Hilux engine ever used. They’re very reliable and with regular maintenance, they can surpass 500,000 kilometers (300,000 miles).
Toyota VZ Engine
The VZ was the first generation of V6 engines used in the Toyota Hilux. The VZ engine ran on petrol (gasoline) and all versions featured electronic fuel injection. From 1988 to 1995, the Hilux used the 3VZ. After 1995, it used the 5VZ. Displacement increased from 3.0 to 3.4 litres and power jumped from 112 kW (150 hp) to 142 (190 hp), respectively.
The 5VZ (5VZ-FE to be exact, since it had EFI and DOHC) has been touted as the best V6 Toyota Hilux engine ever used because of its power, fuel economy, and weight. Hilux owners with the 3VZ engine often seek out a 5VZ to install rather than rebuilding or replacing a 3VZ with problems or high kilometers.
Toyota RZ Engine
After 1995, some models of Hilux continued to use 4-cylinders with the RZ. The RZ was a family of 4-cylinder engines that consisted of the 1RZ-E, 2RZ-FE and 3RZ-FE. Their displacements were 2.0 litres, 2.4 litres, and 2.7 litres respectively and they produced 78 kW (105 hp), 106 kW (142 hp), and 112 kW (150 hp) also respectively.
The 1RZ saw limited production. It was primarily used in Japan and select parts of Asia. The 2RZ first came to life in 1995 and ceased production in 2004 (2004 being the last model year this engine was used in a Hilux). Like the 2RZ, the 3RZ also came to life in 1995 and it’s still in use to this day.
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