I do love pick-up trucks.

It all stems from when, as a youngster, I was the proud owner of a couple of Tonka toys: An articulated flatbed lorry and a crane. They were big, and I was small, but not so much that I was able to clamber into the cab and drive off into the sunset, much as I tried.

Forty-or-so years later and I’ve yet to climb behind the wheel of an articulated lorry – and that’s probably for the best if my one and only experience of towing a trailer is anything to go by – but perched up high in the cab of a pick-up, gripping the large steering wheel with the diesel engine quietly muttering away in the background, it’s easy to let my mind drift back to those glorious days dragging my Tonkas around my back garden.

It’s probably difficult for you to imagine how excited I was – but go on, try – when Toyota’s latest Hilux arrived at my door.

The Hilux is, you see, a legend. Now, you may scoff, but this vehicle played a pivotal role in winning a war. That’s right, the humble Hilux, alongside the noble Land Cruiser, helped Chadian fighters overcome Libyan invasion forces way back in 1987. So crucial were these two vehicles to the outcome of the conflict that it became known as the Toyota War.

Still scoffing?

It’s a big old beast, but nothing unusual for this class of vehicle, and it’s certainly no more gargantuan than its rivals from Mitsubishi, Nissan, Ford and VW.

The eighth edition of the Hilux is an evolution of the previous model, so the styling is a little more crisp and contemporary, while retaining its rugged good looks. It’s probably not worth dwelling too long on the design – it’s a pick-up after all – other than to point out that it’s longer, lower and wider than the previous generation.

Towing capacity has been increased to three-and-a-half tonnes and you can also chuck in excess of a tonne’s worth of feathers or coal, whichever is the greater, in the load bay.

There are four trim levels to choose from – Active, Icon, Invincible and Invincible X – and while the entry level model is only available as a single cab it does come equipped with air con, heated door mirrors, Bluetooth, steering wheel-mounted controls and a chilled glovebox. You also get hill start and trailer sway assist safety systems.

Icon models add 17-inch wheels, privacy glass, electric folding mirrors, cruise control, the company’s Touch 2 multimedia touchscreen with DAB radio and a reversing camera.

The Invincible model that I tested wears 18-inch alloys and has keyless start, LED headlights and dual-zone climate control as well as a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning.

The top-of-the-range Invincible X adds sat nav, front and rear parking sensors and two-tone alloys.

Under the bonnet is a 2.4-litre four-cylinder diesel outputting 148bhp. The only choice you get is whether to pair it with a manual or automatic transmission, both with six ratios.

The double cab, which is the only configuration available on top-spec Invincible models, is roomy enough for four adults – there’s plenty of space for arms, legs and heads – but it will be a bit of a squeeze trying to seat three larger adults across the rear bench.

The dashboard presents a more car-like vista than ever and could have been lifted straight out of one of Toyota’s passenger cars. The touchscreen, which sits in the centre of the dash on high-spec models, is surrounded by glossy black trim, and there’s a multi-function display between the dials on the instrument binnacle.

Build quality impresses too, though don’t expect any soft, tactile plastics. This is a cabin that’s built to withstand the daily rigours of a working life, so it’s practical rather than plush. It's ergonomically sound too.

There’s a decent amount of storage space with not one, but two, gloveboxes mounted above one another. They’re a good size as well. Between the seats, below the armrest, is a storage bin and there are two cup holders in the middle of the dash.

The fact that this is a pick-up should temper expectations when it comes to driving excitement and quite rightly so because thrills really are few and far between. It is civilised however. The steering is nice and accurate while the Hilux corners reasonably flat, as long as you don’t push too hard, and the ride is decent on smoother roads but it can feel like you’re trying to drive a 148bhp trampoline on broken surfaces.

Throw something – no, not the in-laws – into the load bay and things calm down significantly.

The diesel engine is quite audible when you’re working it hard but once up to speed it’s reasonably muted and the cabin is pretty well insulated from wind and road noise too. It pulls willingly enough, and mated to the six-speed manual, progress is reassuringly relaxed and untroubled, Leisurely even.

There’s a reason why 18 million of these pick-ups have left forecourts around the world. They have a proven track record of reliability, of durability and – it’s not a word, but it should be – indestructablility!

That alone will be enough to guarantee a great many more are picked up.

Toyota Hilux Invincible D/C 2.4L

Price: £29,850

As tested: £30, 600

Engine: 2.4-litre diesel

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Max power: 148bhp @ 3,400rpm

Max torque: 400Nm @ 1,600 – 2,000rpm

Max speed: 106mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 13.2sec

Combined: 40.4mpg

Emissions (CO2): 185g/km

For more information visit www.toyota.co.uk