Toyota has pulled the wraps off the ninth-generation Hilux, and this time the world’s favourite workhorse is getting serious about clean energy. For the first time, the Hilux will be available as a battery-electric vehicle and a hydrogen fuel-cell model, moving the tough truck into a future that hums rather than rumbles.
The new Hilux sticks to Toyota’s multipath approach, different powertrains for different needs, so buyers can pick from the BEV, a Hybrid 48V, and the familiar diesel and petrol options. The hybrid, paired with the 2.8-litre engine, will likely be the volume seller in Europe, offering up to one-tonne payload and a towing capacity of 3,500kg.
The BEV packs a 59.2kWh battery with dual e-axles delivering a combined 474Nm and all-wheel drive. Range is pegged at around 240km and, impressively, it can still wade through 700mm of water because what’s a Hilux if it can’t get its tyres muddy?
The cabin has gone premium with a 12.3-inch driver display and touchscreen, while electric power steering and new safety tech make it friendlier on road and trail alike. Expect the Hybrid 48V to reach showrooms by mid-2026, with the hydrogen-powered version arriving in 2028.
In short, the Hilux hasn’t gone soft. It’s just gone smart, proving that even legends can evolve without losing their grit.
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