The Kijang is a pick-up or minibus sold in Indonesia and Brunei, made by Toyota. "Kijang", meaning deer/muntjac in Indonesian, was first introduced in Indonesia in 1977 and it has become the most popular car in the country ever since. This car is also sold in other countries, and is known as the Unser in Malaysia (Innova for the fourth generation), Zace in Taiwan, Qualis and Innova in India, Nepal, and the Philippines, and Stallion and Condor in South Africa. The original Kijang is known as the Revo in the Philippines (see the Revo for the history of the Tamaraw and Tamaraw FX).
It is relatively affordable in the markets where sold when compared to four-wheel drive vehicles (the Kijang is a two-wheel drive) and features high seating capacity, large ground clearance and rugged suspension, popular features in an area with generally poor road quality and large extended families.
In Indonesia, typically the whole extended family climbs in before even short trips, just for the adventure, as opposed to true car-pooling. The family Kijang is treated with love and many get professionally detailed every month. Depending on a person's size, the vehicle can carry as many as 9-15 passengers, since many of the countries the Kijang is sold in do not require safety belt usage at that time.
It is manufactured as a CKD (complete knock-down) in almost every country it is sold in, and many of the parts come from each of the markets in which it is sold.
First generation (1977-1980)
The prototype was displayed at 1975 Jakarta Fair, and production began in 1977. The first Kijang was a boxy little pick-up truck powered by 1.2 liter 3K engine matched to 4 speed manual transmission. The pick-up with rear body and roof was also produced. The Kijang Minibus was built by a local company.Description from Toyota Astra Indonesia site :
"Diperkenalkan pertama kali pada 9 Juni 1977 dalam bentuk yang sangat sederhana. Pickup kotak berpintu setengah, dengan jendela samping terbuat dari terpal dan plastik. Engsel pintunya tampak dari sisi luar. Generasi dengan kode KF10 ini menggunakan mesin tipe 3K berkapasitas 1.200 cc, seperti mesin Corolla. Transmisi yang digunakan 4 percepatan.In English it means:
Kijang generasi pertama ini terkenal dengan julukan Kijang Buaya, karena kap mesin yang dapat dibuka sampai ke samping. “Kijang Buaya” ini sudah mampu merebut hati masyarakat Indonesia. Ini terbukti dari angka penjualannya yang mencapai 26.806 unit hingga diluncurkan generasi selanjutnya."
"First introduced on the 9th of June 1977. It was a boxy pickup truck with a half door, the window was made only from plastic and tarp canvas. The door hinge can be seen from the outside. The KF10 generation was using a 3K engine (like the ones fitted in the Corolla). It uses a 4 speed manual transmission.
This first generation Kijang was famous for being called "Kijang Buaya" (English: Crocodile Kijang) because the engine hood can be opened to the side of the car. This car sold 26,806 units until the 2nd generation Kijang was introduced."
Toyota Kijang first generation
Second generation (1981-1985)
The 20-series Kijang retained its boxy style although the body panels were different. Under its slimmer hood was a 1.3 liter 4K engine, which was replaced in 1985 by a 1.5 liter 5K. The only transmission was a 4 speed manual. The facelift model had rectangular headlights. In the Philippines, the Tamaraw was also sold as long wheelbase 30-series.
1985 Toyota Kijang Pick-up
Third generation (1986-1996)
Introduced in late 1986, the Kijang was offered as short wheelbase (KF40 series) and long wheelbase (KF50 series). The Standard Kijang had a 4 speed manual transmission, while the Super Kijang had a 5 speed manual and a better equipped interior. Introduced in this generation was Full Pressed Body Minibus built by companies appointed by Toyota.
Toyota Kijang KF42
Minor change was given in 1992. The Minibus now had a right side rear door and adopted a new name, Toyota Original Body, instead of Full Pressed Body. In its creation process, it was pressed and used pointed welding. Until this day, it could be described as the only "putty-free" Kijang. Trim levels for Minibus were Standard, Deluxe, and Grand Extra, with emblems for short models being the SX, SSX, and SGX; and for the long ones the LX, LSX, and LGX. In 1994, the Kijang received the second minor change with a new grille and 1.8 liter 7K-C engine.
Fourth generation (1997-2003)
The new Kijang was more powerful and more refined than its predecessors. The Pick-up was coded 60-series. The Minibus, often known as Kijang Capsule, was either the 70-series (short wheelbase) or the 80-series (long wheelbase). Engine options were either the 1.8-litre non EFI gasoline, 2.0-litre EFI gasoline, 1.8-litre EFI gasoline, or 2.4-litre diesel engine. The diesel-equipped Kijang was the favorite model in Indonesia, because it could reach up to 14 kilometres with 1 litre of fuel, which was comparable to the Isuzu Panther (which gave the same rate of engine but with stiffer design). The design cues of this generation of the Kijang later appeared in the last revisions of the Philippines' Revo.
2003 Toyota Kijang LGX
- Long Series
- LX: Standard (Very basic model without air conditioning, cassette tape player, power windows, tachometer or other luxuries. An air conditioning unit could be added for
-
- LSX: Standard Plus (Equipped with standard AC and cassette tape player)
- LGX: Deluxe (Equipped with double blower AC, cassette tape/CD player, power windows and garnish)
- Krista (long series only): Deluxe Sport Edition (Same as LGX but available in only blue, red, black, silver or green color, and including sports kit; the Krista edition also included specially made doortrim.)
- Short Series
- SX: Standard (Without air conditioning, cassette tape player, power windows, tachometer or other luxuries)
- SSX: Standard Plus (Equipped with standard AC and cassette tape player)
- SGX: Deluxe (Equipped with doubleblower AC, cassette tape/CD player, power windows and garnish)
The Pick-up variant was offered with Standard Deck and Flat Deck. Trim levels for the Minibus included SX, SSX, SGX (short), LX, LSX, LGX, and Krista (long). The short wheelbase and sporty Rangga was also offered for a short time, but this model was not successful in the market, with only a very few units sold.
A 2003 model of Kijang SSX
In the year 2000, the Kijang got a new front end. The 2.0-liter engine was offered in the LGX and Krista models. Another minor change was given in 2003 with new grille, rear garnish, and some small changes with its features.
Fifth generation (2004-2012)
In 2004, Toyota launched the new Kijang, with the introduction of the new Avanza as a cheaper version to replace non-premier Kijangs in late 2003. The new 2004 Kijang is more luxurious and expensive than the 4th Generation. This all new Kijang is called the Kijang Innova. The Innova was a MPV powered by either a 2.0-liter 1TR-FE VVT-i Gasoline, a 2.7-liter 2TR-FE VVT-i Gasoline, or a 2.5 liter 2KD-FTV D4-D Common Rail Diesel. The Kijang Innova is based on the modified chassis of the 2003 Japanese market WISH platform. It was part of Toyota's IMV program together with the Hilux Vigo pickup truck and Fortuner SUV.
Toyota Kijang Innova new
The Innova MPV sold in large numbers in India (where it's known as an MUV)- primarily serving the tourist taxi market and fleet operations of large technology business process outsourcing companies. It also enjoyed large markets in Malaysia, East Timor and the Philippines. In the Philippines, it discontinued the Tamaraw/Tamaraw FX/Revo line in the process (as the Toyota MPV sold there became simply known as the "Innova").Different uses of the Toyota Kijang
In Indonesia, the Kijang is also used as a public transportation vehicle called the Angkot (short for Angkutan Kota, meaning city transport). To allow easy passenger access, the passenger's rear door is usually removed and the roof elevated. The back seats have been reconfigured into two long seats on each side and there is no air conditioning.
Mikrolet
Toyota Kijang 1997, Burnout
