After more than 12 million units sold until 2005, the HiLux was the second-best-selling nameplate in the Toyota lineup, after the Corolla.
Such a vital model deserved special attention from the carmaker. When it introduced the seventh generation in 2005, it tried to make the car friendlier as a family car, especially in the four-door version named Double-Cab. Toyota managed to do that without altering its legendary off-road abilities and reliability.

Along with the seventh generation, Toyota increased the pickup size again, and the Extra Cab was 105 mm (4.1”) longer than its predecessor and featured a 1,520 mm (5.9 ft) long bed, 165 mm (6.5”) longer than the sixth HiLux generation. At the front, it sported angular headlights with rounded lower and upper sides, ended into the corner-mounted turn signals.

Inside, the pickup couldn’t hide its utilitarian destination since the dashboard was made from hard plastic. Yet, the carmaker tried to make it look more civilized, with silver trims on the center stack. The instrument cluster featured a three-dial design, with a center-mounted speedometer and an LCD at the bottom for the odometer. Since Toyota built the Double-Cab version as a family vehicle as well, it installed a bench for three in the back.

Like all its predecessors, the 2005 HiLux was built on a ladder chassis, but it featured double-wishbone front suspension. For more comfortable rides, it sported a rack and pinion steering system. Under the hood, Toyota installed only one engine option, a 2.5-liter turbo-diesel, which offered 102 hp, which it paired it to a five-speed manual. Unusually, the LHD vehicles featured a standard Limited-slip differential. The HiLux Double-Cab was available in 4x2 configurations for specific markets, while the 4x4 version was typical for most countries.