It's been a long time in the coming, but Toyota now offers a 'cab-and-a-half' option for bakkie buyers seeking some extra in-cabin storage space.
The Hilux Xtra Cab has just gone on sale in South Africa, but it's only available in two versions for now, essentially offering you the top diesel motor with flagship Raider specification in the choice of 4x2 and 4x4 versions.
By no means cheap, with the 4x2 setting you back R294 900 and the 4x4 commanding R341 700, it is at least on par with the competition with the equivalent Nissan Navaras costing between R292 and R332K, Ford Rangers R298-344K and Mitsubishi's Triton costing R339 400 in 4x4 form.
The stretched cab in the Hilux Xtra Cab liberates an extra 500mm worth of cabin space, creating a large storage area behind the two individual front seats.
However you do have to sacrifice a fair amount of cargo space with the Xtra Cab load box being 1805mm long, compared to 2315mm on the single cab and 1520mm on the double cab. According to Toyota's website, the payload remains identical to the raised-body single cab's 940kg.
As both Xtra Cabs are Raider models, you're looking at similar specification to the double cabs, with external garnishes including chrome trim on the grille, side mirrors and rear bumper steps, aluminium side steps and alloy wheels. Likewise, interior goodies include electric windows, cruise control and a CD/MP3 radio, as well as dual front airbags.
Power is via the familiar 3.0-litre D-4D intercooled turbodiesel that produces 120kW at 3400prm and 343Nm of twist between 1400 and 3200rpm.
As for off-road prowess, both versions are fitted with a locking rear diff and boast 212mm of ground clearance while the 4x4 adds an automatically locking front diff.