2026 Toyota Hilux Revealed: First Electric Model And Big Diesel Upgrade
Toyota has finally decided it is time to bring the Hilux into the modern era and it is doing it in a big way. The current truck has been a solid work partner for years, but it was clearly time for something fresher, smarter, and more in tune with how people actually use pickups today. For the year 2026, the Hilux steps into its ninth generation. And Toyota is not just giving it a new face. It is giving it new powertrains, new technology, and for the first time ever, a fully electric version that leads the launch. That alone tells you how serious Toyota is about keeping this truck relevant. The first thing people will notice is that the new Hilux looks tougher and more premium. The design has become sharper and more angular, almost like a smaller Tacoma. And Toyota has removed the classic emblem on the nose for a bold Toyota word mark. On the battery electric model, the front end is closed off since it does not need the same amount of cooling as a diesel or gasoline truck. Combustion versions will receive a proper grill. There is also a charging port on the front fender for the electric model, while diesel and gasoline versions will keep the fuel door at the rear. At the back, Toyota leaned into a bit of American truck style with big debossed Toyota lettering on the tailgate, a new rear deck step, and redesigned side steps to make getting in and out easier. Inside is where longtime Hilux owners will really feel the jump in generations. The old cabin was durable, but dated. The new interior borrows ideas from the latest Land Cruiser with an upright dashboard, strong geometric lines, and a layout that looks ready for hard use. Toyota kept what people actually like, which is real buttons. Even though the truck now comes with two 12.3 in screens, the climate system and the 4×4 controls are still handled by physical switches, so the driver does not have to dig through menus while working or off-roading. It is practical. It is familiar. And it shows Toyota understands the Hilux has real users, not just lifestyle buyers. For now, Toyota is putting the spotlight on the electric Hilux. This version uses a dual motor setup powered by a 59.2 kWh lithium ion battery pack. Toyota says it will do around 149 mi or 240 km of WLTP driving range, which is fine for urban fleets, light duty commercial use, or people who do not tow everyday. The front motor makes 151 lb feet of torque, and the rear makes 198 lb feet. And together they give the truck a payload of 1,576 pounds and a towing capacity of 3,527 pounds. That is respectable for an electric pickup that is clearly aimed at Europe and Asia first. But Toyota is Toyota, so it is not abandoning people who need to haul and tow real weight. The 2.8 8 L turbo diesel continues now with mild hybrid assistance and it remains the workhorse of the lineup. That version can carry up to 2,205 lb and tow up to 7,716 lb which makes it far more suitable for construction sites, trailers, and long distance work than the current electric model. In some Eastern European markets, Toyota will even keep offering none electrified 2.8 8 L diesels and a 2.7 L gasoline engine because not every customer runs the same kind of business or has the same fuel infrastructure. Toyota is also playing the long game. Starting in the year 2028, the company plans to add a fuel cell Hilux, keeping the door open for hydrogen in markets that are investing in it. that fits Toyota’s wider strategy since it is also working with BMW on the iX-5 hydrogen for the same time frame. On the technology side, the new Hilux introduces electric power steering in Western Europe, brings in the latest Toyota Safety Sense features, supports, over-the-air updates, and adds useful items like blind spot monitoring, a driver monitoring camera, wireless charging, and rear USB ports. The electric version even gets a shift by wire selector. Sales in Europe start in December, and production of the mild hybrid diesel follows in the spring. Toyota expects the diesel to be the volume seller there because it still offers the best balance of range, load, and price. And if you are in the United States and wondering if you will see this truck, the answer is almost certainly no. it would step on the Tacoma’s toes. Still, for the more than 180 markets where the Hilux is a household name, this is a meaningful and thoughtful update to a truck that has sold more than 21 million units since 1968. Toyota did not reinvent what people love about the Hilux. It just made it ready for the next decade.
Toyota has finally modernized the Hilux and it is bigger than just a facelift. The 2026 Hilux brings a brand new electric version, a tougher Tacoma inspired design, and a refreshed interior with real buttons where it matters.
In this video we walk through everything Toyota changed: the dual motor 59.2 kWh electric Hilux with 149 miles of WLTP range, the returning 2.8 liter mild hybrid diesel with 7,716 pounds of towing, the new safety tech, and why Europe is getting only the double cab. We also look ahead at Toyota’s 2028 hydrogen plan and what it means for commercial users. This is the next chapter for one of the world’s most trusted pickups.
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