Toyota’s first new HiLux in more than a decade won’t be launched until 2026, and may well be a case of evolution rather than revolution, according to a new report.
Brazilian publication Autoesporte reports that Toyota suppliers have been told to prepare for the start of production of the new HiLux in Argentina for the South American market in 2026 – a year later than previously expected.
A 2026 launch date would be 11 years after the current-generation HiLux entered production in 2015, making it one of the longest-serving utes on the market.
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Current HiLux SR5
However, unlike rivals such as the Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton – both of which were given new platforms for their releases in 2022 and 2024, respectively – the HiLux will reportedly stay on a revised version of its current architecture.
The IMV ladder-frame platform that underpins the existing HiLux debuted way back in 2004, and was heavily revised in 2015 when the current model launched. If the report from Brazil is correct, the new HiLux will be the third-generation model to ride on the ageing platform.
The new HiLux had previously been expected to migrate to the much newer TNGA-F platform that debuted in 2021 under the LandCruiser 300 Series and Tundra, and also form the basis of the upcoming Prado 250 Series.
North American market Tacoma
By continuing on an existing platform, the ‘next-gen’ HiLux could be hampered in its sales race with the Ranger – which outsold it in 2023 and is expected to be facelifted around the same time – and may also be more vulnerable to attack by the new BYD Shark 6 and soon-to-arrive utes such as the Kia Tasman and the new-generation Nissan Navara.
An existing platform reportedly won’t be the only carryover equipment in the new HiLux, which Autoesporte claims is set to retain its 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and 48-volt mild-hybrid system.
The latter technology debuted in selected versions of the 2024 HiLux, and is marketed in Australia as ‘V-Active’, as it doesn’t provide the same fuel savings as Toyota’s full-hybrid systems, which account for approximately half of its vehicle sales.
HiLux V-Active
The report didn’t detail whether the HiLux’s entry-level 2.4-litre turbo-diesel and 2.7-litre non-turbo petrol engines in Australia will remain, as these may not be offered in South American examples.
A majority of HiLux utes sold in Australia are powered by the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel, which produces 150kW of power and 420Nm (manual) or 500Nm (automatic) of torque, increasing to 165kW/550Nm for the GR Sport flagship.
While the HiLux is consistently one of Australia’s best-selling vehicles – having had its seven-year winning streak ended by the Ranger last year – it’s not sold in some of the world’s biggest auto markets including North America, where the all-new TNGA-F based Tacoma mid-sized pickup was recently launched.
MORE: Everything Toyota HiLux
