The Toyota Hilux Thread

The new Toyota Hilux bakkie redesign will leave you speechless - find out what’s coming

The cat is out of the bag with the much-speculated new Toyota Hilux bakkie set for its global reveal in Thailand on Monday.

In an entry on its social media pages over the weekend, Toyota Motor Thailand showed “sneak” pictures revealing slimmer headlights, C-shaped LED rear lights, and a retro-style “Toyota” badge on the front grille.

Modern design cues

It looks like there are sharper, more modern design cues, and although it’s a massive update over the model it is set to replace, Toyota hasn’t tinkered too much, and it looks like the door and roof panels will be continued from the model that’s been on sale since 2015.

Reports suggest that it will continue to be built on the IMV platform rather than as initially thought, the newer TNGA-F platform that underpins the Tacoma, Prado and 300 Series.

With the current model’s interior starting to show its age, expect massive upgrades to the new Hilux.

Interior and engine speculation

The dashboard will feature a completely new layout, including a large touchscreen infotainment system, possibly based on the new Prado and also a digital driver’s display.

Although still to be confirmed, it looks like the 2.4 GD-6 diesel and 2.7-litre petrol engine will fall away, and the 2.8 GD-6 mill, including the 48-Volt mild hybrid, will be the only engine choices available.

Interestingly, the 2.7-litre mill is rumoured to be the only engine being considered for the new FJ-Series, revealed at the Tokyo Mobility Show last week.

The 2.8-litre engine produces 150kW and 500Nm, and in GR Sport spec, 165kW and 550Nm.

 
New Toyota Hilux bakkie fully revealed!

It’s official: the new Toyota Hilux has been revealed, based on the outgoing bakkie’s platform but now with fresh styling, a thoroughly renewed interior and an EV option…

- First new Toyota Hilux in some 10 years unveiled in Thailand
- Prospecton-built version scheduled to launch in SA in 2026
- IMV platform and diesel engine retained but EV option added

The wait is finally over. Yes, after a string of leaks and a surprisingly brief teaser campaign, the new Toyota Hilux has been fully revealed. This 9th-generation bakkie’s officially unveiling – including in fully electric form – in Thailand comes some 10 years after the debut of its predecessor.

Why is this model so significant for South Africa? Well, the Hilux – which first appeared in Mzansi way back in 1969 – has held the title of SA’s best-selling vehicle overall for more than half a century. It’s also produced at Toyota SA Motors’ Prospecton facility in KwaZulu-Natal.

But back to the new, 9th-generation model just revealed in Bangkok. From what we can tell, the latest version of the bakkie retains the outgoing generation’s IMV platform, which gains new hydraulic engine mounts and shear-type cabin mounts to “reduce vibrations and enhance ride comfort”. Look closely, however, and you’ll be able to spot a few familiar panels (such as the doors and roof), while the load bay appears to be carried over, too.

New Toyota Hilux: design updates

The big design change, of course, comes up front, where most variants adopt a new honeycomb-style grille, reminiscent of that of the Corolla Cross, along with a sharper headlamp design. The squared-off front end additionally features retro-style “Toyota” lettering, a treatment extended to all derivatives.

Styling updates at the rear, meanwhile, are a little more subtle. Inside, the 9th-gen Toyota Hilux features a thoroughly overhauled interior, clearly inspired by that of the J250-series Land Cruiser Prado and boasting a pair of 12.3-inch screens in high-spec derivatives. Toyota says the redesigned cabin “brings a significant uplift in modernity, comfort, technology and ergonomics”.

There are also “newly developed” front and rear seats, with up to 8-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat with lumbar support adjustment and leather-accented upholstery, depending on the grade. The steering wheel, meanwhile, offers “improved ergonomics and an updated button layout”.


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New Toyota Hilux Officially Revealed

Sporting sharp exterior styling, an upgraded interior, and under-the-skin revisions, Toyota has officially whipped the wraps off the new Hilux bakkie.

Earlier in November, Toyota officially teased the new Hilux, with the Japanese automaker revealing when the ninth generation will finally make its global debut. Well, the time has now come – the box-fresh Hilux has been revealed!

First previewed in leaked brochure images, the most significant cosmetic enhancements made to the Hilux come in the shape of tapered headlamp clusters, which incorporate sharp daytime-running lights, a new grille, which features a similar, hexagonal design as the new RAV4, and a more pronounced front bumper. ‘Toyota’ lettering can be found on the central bar between the front lamps. Round back, fresh taillamps are also present. The ninth iteration also feature side steps for the load bed.

However, the most notable upgrades have arguably been reserved for the interior. Taking pride of place on the redesigned facia is larger, 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Sited fore the multifunction steering wheel, which resembles the item found on the new Land Cruiser FJ and Land Cruiser Prado, is a digital driver’s display that measures up to 12.3 inches in higher-specced models. Physical switchgear has been retained for the air-conditioning system.

www.carmag.co.za

New Toyota Hilux Officially Revealed

Sporting sharp exterior styling and an upgraded interior, Toyota has officially whipped the wraps off the new Hilux bakkie...
www.carmag.co.za www.carmag.co.za
 
This is it! New Toyota Hilux revealed in Thailand, and it's coming to South Africa in 2026

The new-generation Toyota Hilux has finally been revealed to the world, with the heavily updated bakkie having made its global debut on Monday at an event in Thailand.

The new Toyota Hilux will be built in South Africa, and the local manufacturer has confirmed that it will reach local showrooms during 2026, although specific launch timing and other details remain under wraps for the time being.

As the spy pictures had led us to believe, the 2026 Toyota Hilux is not an all-new model, but rather an extensive upgrade of the existing architecture.

The middle section of the vehicle appears identical to the current model, barring new running boards, but the front and rear sections have been redesigned.

Upfront, we see slimmer headlights, flanked by a plastic bar with ‘TOYOTA’ block letters, positioned above a wide honeycomb-style grille.

Beneath the bonnet, the new Toyota Hilux continues to be offered with the current 2.8-litre GD-6 turbodiesel engine, which delivers 150kW and 500Nm, with some versions also sporting the 48V mild-hybrid system. As before, the 2.8 is paired with either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual gearbox.

 
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