Toyota sure knows how to build a tough midsize 4×4 ute, and that’s why the HiLux has been a world leader for nine generations now. 

Toyota also realises that people who buy HiLuxes for off-road use are going to swap the tyres out as soon as possible, so it fits all its HiLuxes with everyday road tyres instead of all-terrains. Toyota knows enthusiasts have their own ideas of what tyres they will want on their vehicles, so it leaves the choice up to you.

The Toyota-fitted tyres on our 2025 HiLux were some of the first parts we wanted to swap out for our build, and we looked to Radar Tyres for solutions. Radar manufactures a range of 4×4 tyres in styles from all-terrains to muddies, with the Renegade X as the most aggressive of its off-road offerings.

We didn’t want anything as aggressive as the X, as we spend a fair amount of time on-road with the HiLux. We went back to the middle of the Renegade range and selected the Renegade RT+ (↗) for the Lux. There have been a few tyre companies producing R/T, or rugged-terrain, tyres now, to give that happy medium between an all-terrain and a mud-terrain tyre.

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Radar describes the Renegade RT+ as being “made for the wild but knows how to behave on the bitumen. Tough on the outside. Quiet and controlled on the move.” That’s just the kind of tyre we were looking for, more aggressive than an all-terrain but not as rugged or noisy as a muddy.

We chose the RTs in LT285/70R17 size to go on our DWC Sentinel wheels, and had them fitted at our local tyre shop. The LT designates the tyre as having a Light Truck construction, which means it will be heavier than a passenger tyre but more durable and better able to cope with the rigours of gravel roads and bush tracks. The Renegade RT+ looks like an aggressive all-terrain, which is what we were after, and its chunky tread pattern should serve us well on muddy Victorian tracks.

So far our only use on the Renegade RT+ tyres (↗) has been on-road while we ferry the HiLux around from one workshop to another, plus a photo opportunity. In these conditions the tyres are noisier than expected for this style of tyre. The on-road noise and ride are more akin to a mud-terrain from our past experience with many different styles and brands of 4×4 tyres. Of course, this won’t be an issue off the sealed roads and on the bush tracks, where the tyres will be more at home.

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Frequently asked questions

Q: Why did you replace the factory tyres on the Toyota HiLux?

A: The Toyota-fitted tyres on our HiLux were some of the first parts we wanted to swap out for our build. Toyota fits HiLux models with everyday road tyres, leaving enthusiasts to choose the tyres that best suit their intended use.

Q: What tyres did you fit to the HiLux build?

A: We fitted Radar Renegade RT+ tyres in LT285/70R17 size to our DWC Sentinel wheels.

Q: What type of tyre is the Radar Renegade RT+?

A: The Radar Renegade RT+ is a rugged-terrain (R/T) tyre, designed to provide a middle ground between an all-terrain and a mud-terrain tyre.

Q: Why did you choose the Renegade RT+ over the Renegade X?

A: We didn’t want anything as aggressive as the Renegade X because we spend a fair amount of time on-road with the HiLux. The Renegade RT+ offered a more aggressive option than an all-terrain while remaining less rugged than a mud-terrain tyre.

Q: Are the Radar Renegade RT+ tyres noisy on-road?

A: Our first impressions are that the Renegade RT+ tyres are noisier than expected for this style of tyre. The on-road noise and ride are more akin to a mud-terrain from our past experience with different styles and brands of 4×4 tyres.

Q: How much do Radar Renegade RT+ tyres cost?

A: The Radar Renegade RT+ tyres have an RRP of $349 each, plus fitting. 

MORE 2026 HiLux build coverage!