Toyota’s New HiLux Revealed - But It’s Built on Old Bones

Toyota has unveiled the 2026 HiLux, describing it as an “all-new” model, yet it continues on the IMV ladder-frame platform and retains the core body structure from the outgoing ute, including the doors, roof and exterior handles.

The styling, interior layout, electronics and tuning see meaningful changes, but in substance this is a heavy facelift rather than a clean-sheet redesign.

Australian teams led exterior design and a large chunk of development at the Altona Product Centre, supported by Japan and Thailand.

A Toyota Australia representative said the brief was to move HiLux forward without losing what makes it trusted here, adding that local engineers have been running a two-and-a-half-year program of suspension, safety system and NVH tuning across Australia, Thailand and Japan.

The new look introduces slimmer headlights, a reworked fascia and bumper and a reshaped rear, while key hardpoints and proportions carry over.

Underneath, the ladder frame keeps the same wheelbase and now reverts to a narrow-track layout across the range after the wider-track hardware used on outgoing special variants was dropped.

Toyota says the front of the frame was reworked to meet newer crash requirements and to preserve accessory compatibility, with added spot welds and revised body and engine mounts aimed at ride and noise reductions.

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Electric power steering features on a HiLux for the first time to improve low-speed effort, reduce kickback off-road and steady the rig when towing.

Suspension tunes are split in two: a heavy-payload tune intended for work use, and a multi-purpose tune geared for everyday comfort while maintaining payload capacity.

A Toyota Australia representative said customer targets were to hold 3.5-tonne towing, durability and off-road ability, then lift comfort, refinement and cabin tech.

Inside, there is a flatter dash to improve forward visibility, physical climate controls remain, and all models get a 12.3-inch central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Lower variants use a 7-inch digital cluster and higher trims step up to a 12.3-inch unit. Toyota says genuine accessories such as bull bars, underbody protection, side steps and rock rails, sports bars, a winch and roller covers have been locally designed and validated to remain compatible with the updated safety systems. A step integrated into the rear bumper is fitted across the range.

Power continues to come from the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder. Outputs are unchanged at 150 kW and 500 Nm with the six-speed automatic, or 420 Nm with the manual.

The 48-volt mild-hybrid system continues on specific automatic double-cab configurations and cannot be deleted where it is standard, while an entry automatic remains without 48-volt assistance to preserve an attainable price point. The driveline stays part-time four-wheel drive rather than full-time, and the six-speed automatic carries over.

Line-up streamlining removes low-rider configurations for Australia. A Toyota Australia representative said the decision reflects a shrinking global take-rate for low-rider utes and simplifies local range planning.

The brand confirmed the HiLux will launch as Euro 5 without AdBlue. Timing was framed around regulatory and production plans. Toyota also noted security improvements but declined to detail them.

Toyota’s next-generation connected services platform, including embedded drive recorder and richer crash telemetry to call centres, debuts on the coming RAV4 rather than HiLux due to different development cycles. HiLux adopts Toyota’s latest electrical architecture and the latest Toyota Safety Sense updates, but the broader connected suite will arrive later.

An electric HiLux is confirmed for the first half of 2026. Prototypes have been tested in Australia, including a trial with BHP.

The battery-electric HiLux will be 4x4 only with dual motors, with a lower fleet-focused specification and a higher specification variant also planned.

Full technical details such as battery size, range, payload and towing will be released closer to launch. A Toyota Australia representative said the goal is to keep pricing competitive and attainable for fleets and urban trade users.