The Toyota Hilux Thread

New Toyota Hilux Single Cab arrives in South Africa: Here's what you get for your money

Toyota is taking a staggered approach to the launch of its hotly anticipated ninth-generation Hilux. Following the launch of the Double Cab and Xtra Cab models in June, the first versions of the Single Cab have now gone on sale.

As with the other body styles, for now only the 2.8-litre GD-6 turbodiesel models are being made available, with SRX being the only trim line on offer. Buyers can expect to pay R587,200 for the Raised Body 4x2 SRX and R663,800 for the 4x4 version, which is about R70,000 less than the equivalent Double Cab models.

However, the smaller-engined versions of the eighth-generation Hilux remain on sale for the time being, with the 2.0-litre petrol version starting at R379,700 and the 2.4-litre GD-6 priced from R426,300 to R553,800.

The 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine will be introduced to the new-generation Hilux range at a later stage, and it will once again be paired with a manual gearbox.

The newly launched Hilux 2.8 GD-6 SRX model is currently offered only with a six-speed automatic gearbox and, as before, the turbodiesel engine delivers 150kW and 500Nm.

The payloads are listed at 845kg for the 4x2 and 920kg for the 4x4, while the braked towing capacities are 2,800kg and 3,500kg respectively.

The new Hilux SRX is equipped with 17-inch steel wheels and a rear diff-lock.

The interior features cloth seat upholstery, manual air conditioning, an 8.0-inch infotainment system with a reverse camera, two USB-C ports, electric windows and mirrors, and a height- and reach-adjustable multifunction steering wheel. Safety kit comes in the form of seven airbags, ABS brakes and vehicle stability control.

 

Should you buy a USED Toyota HiLux N70? - ReDriven​

This generation of Toyota Hilux has built a reputation for being tough and reliable, but is that reputation earned or just internet hype?

We dig into what it's like to live with one, what they cost on the used market, and what tends to go wrong inside, outside and mechanically, including a look at the supercharged TRD.

 
Hydrogen Hilux? Toyota Hilux FCEV confirmed for 2028

Toyota has confirmed hydrogen power is coming to the new Hilux, with the Japanese automaker announcing the Hilux FCEV for 2028.

In November 2025, Toyota officially revealed the new Hilux. Including the Japanese automaker’s tried-and-tested 2.8GD-6 engine, available in “standard” and 48 V mild-hybrid format, the ninth generation made its debut with a new powertrain option – battery-electric (BEV). However, the Hilux BEV won’t be the only new-energy Hilux in the Aichi-based brand’s midsize pickup portfolio. Indeed, scheduled to launch in 2028, Toyota has announced the introduction of the Hilux FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle).

While Toyota has yet to release more detailed information surrounding the Hilux FCEV’s powertrain, the company has revealed target performance data. The firm says the hydrogen-powered Hilux will offer a driving range of “more than” 400 km (WLTP) and a braked towing capacity of 2 500 kg.

For comparison, the Hilux BEV’s 59.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack offers an operating range of “approximately” 240 km on a single, full charge. The BEV’s braked towing capacity is rated at 1 600 kg; 900 kg less than the FCEV.


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Watch: Toyota drops caravan on new Hilux to prove its legendary toughness

Toyota UK has recreated an iconic TV stunt in a bid to showcase the new Hilux’s toughness. Watch the video below…

Remember when Top Gear attempted to destroy a Toyota Hilux by putting it through a series of challenges? As a refresher (it was over 20 years ago, no less), the stunts included hitting a red 1988 example with a wrecking ball, submerging it in the ocean, placing it on the roof of a building that was then demolished, and dropping a caravan on it. If you haven’t seen it yet — spoiler alert… No matter what the British publication threw at the fourth-generation single cab, it survived.

Now, in a bid to prove the new Hilux is just as tough, Toyota’s UK arm has recreated one of these stunts — dropping a 760 kg caravan onto a Hilux BEV. The stunt was staged at Bentwaters airfield in Suffolk, where the caravan was craned 30 feet (9.1 metres) above the ground, before being dropped on the battery-electric Hilux’s roof.

Following the impact, engineers inspected the damage. According to Toyota UK, the Hilux bore only “modest” bodywork scars from the impact. The Hilux BEV powered up immediately, the firm says, before driving off.

“Hilux has earned its reputation as the world’s toughest pickup. Following on from our launch of the ninth-generation model earlier this year, we wanted to honour that legacy and demonstrate how Hilux is still as impressive as it was decades ago, even when it’s powered by electricity. Dropping a caravan on it wasn’t just about repeating the famous TV stunt, it was our way of showing how Hilux’s core toughness remains intact,” said Chris Hayes, Director of Products and Service Division at Toyota Great Britain.


 
SVI introduces B6-grade discreet armour for the Toyota Hilux – specs and pricing

The 2026 Toyota Hilux has been given the bulletproof treatment from South African armour specialists SVI. The new package adds protection from handguns and assault rifles…

SVI Engineering reveals its bespoke 360-degree B6 discreet armouring package for the Toyota Hilux double cab. The solution offers the highest level of civilian protection available without needing a special permit. The ninth-generation Hilux, manufactured at Toyota’s Prospecton plant in KwaZulu-Natal, launched locally earlier this year. SVI quickly secured a flagship 2.8 GD-6 Legend 4×4 double cab to engineer a protection package against assault rifles, including the AK-47, R1, and R5.

Nicol Louw, Business Development Director at SVI, confirms that the firm has delivered several new Hilux units fitted with its Stopgun V2.0 and V3.0 security kits. This build represents the first example featuring the full 360-degree B6 discreet conversion in South Africa. The Bashewa-based specialist uses custom-fabricated armoured steel plates, composite materials, and 38 mm ballistic glass curved to original equipment manufacturer specifications. The layout incorporates critical ballistic overlaps around all door apertures, side windows, and the windscreen.

Precision-cut steel panels bond directly to the interior sheet metal, preserving the standard factory appearance. Purpose-manufactured actuators allow the driver’s window to lower by roughly 150 mm. An upgraded suspension setup and heavy-duty door hinges come standard. Advanced driver-assistance systems, including windscreen-mounted sensors, remain fully functional. Key engine components also receive ballistic protection. The robust body-on-frame chassis and standard 150 kW and 500 Nm 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine manage the extra mass with ease.

SVI Toyota Hilux Discreet Package pricing

The 360-degree B6 discreet package costs R945,239 excluding VAT and includes a full-day driver-training course. Optional extras include roof and floor armour, alongside imported heavy-duty runflat tyre inserts. Pricing excludes the Hilux donor vehicle, which spans from R583,500 for the entry-level SR to R1,001,900 for the Legend variant.

Hilux Double Cab B2 LITE partial armour – R74,950 (ex VAT)
Hilux Double Cab B4 discreet armour – R624,054 (ex VAT)
Hilux Double Cab B6 discreet armour – R945,239 (ex VAT)


 
1991 Toyota Hilux becomes world’s fastest bakkie with 423 km/h top speed

Scott Birdsall has successfully set a 423 km/h top speed record at the 2026 Bonneville Speed Week. This performance officially makes his 1991 Toyota Hilux the fastest bakkie in the world…

The Toyota Hilux isn’t a bakkie known for achieving top speed records. However, an American speed fanatic has shown that, with enough time and money, this is, indeed, possible. Scott Birdsall’s specially engineered 1991 Hilux land speed pickup has conquered the Bonneville Salt Flats once again, achieving an incredible 423 km/h top speed. Birdsall set this record during the 2026 Bonneville Speed Week, which took place over the first week of August this year.

Featuring iconic Toyota TRD livery, the aerodynamic bakkie adopts a heavily modified 2JZ-GTE inline-six engine producing 956 kW. Birdsall commissioned ALC Racing to apply a Brian Crower billet crankshaft, custom rods, and high-performance pistons built to handle extreme boost pressures. A specialised Haltech engine management system monitors critical telemetry parameters during high-speed runs.

The chassis features an extended cab configuration that shifts the driver backwards for enhanced safety packaging. A custom Pro Mod roll cage protects the pilot while meeting strict sanctioning body regulations. Suspension upgrades include an equal-length four-link rear setup with a Panhard bar and custom front control arms fitted with motorsport dampers. Exterior aerodynamics incorporate subtle roof fins to prevent instability and rollovers during high-velocity excursions. The tyres are rated for speeds in excess of 400 km/h. Birdsall targeted a 240 mph (386.24 km/h) top speed within the competitive stock body class. While Birdsall applied some substantial modifications, it’s worth pointing out how impressive it is for a 35-year-old bakkie to reach Bugatti Chiron levels of speed.



 
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