The Toyota Hilux R, RZ, and VZ Engine

By Danney Jessup

The Toyota Hilux engine has changed many times since it first debuted. In 1968 it was powered by a 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine. It has since evolved many times over. Some models retained a 4-cylinder engine while some models made a transition to larger V6 engines. Read on for information of the Toyota Hilux engine.

Toyota R Engine

The first engine to make an appearance in the Hilux was the R engine. The R engine was a 4-cylinder petrol that was used 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 the variations of the R family of engines to be used in the Hilux.

In the beginning, the 2R was a 1.5 litre that grew and had various factory modifications through the 2.4 litre 22R-E used in 1995. The 22R has a reputation as one of the best Toyota Hilux engine ever used for longevity and reliability of easily being able to clock 500,000 kilometers (300,000 miles).

Toyota VZ Engine

The first V6 engine used in the Toyota Hilux was the VZ. The VZ engine ran on petrol and had electronic fuel injection. The Hilux made use of the 3VZ from 1988 to 1995 at which point 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).

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

In 1996, the 4-cylinder R engine was no more and instead the Hilux used the RZ. The RZ was a family of 4-cylinder engines. There were three variations: 1RZ-E, 2RZ-FE, and 3RZ-FE. Their sizes were 2.0L, 2.4L, and 2.7L respectively and they produced 78 kW (105 hp), 106 kW (142 hp), and 112 kW (150 hp) also respectively.

The 1RZ was mostly limited to Japan and certain areas 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. - 21396

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These were just three of the many Toyota Hilux engines that were used in this exceptional vehicle. The Toyota Hilux also made use of several families of diesel engines such as the Toyota L engine which consisted of the 2L, 3L, and 5L engines.