Images of the 2026 Toyota Hilux have appeared online, giving us a quick look at what we can expect when it launches in South Africa next year. Here’s what we know so far.
The 2026 Toyota Hilux has appeared on the Internet, thanks to a brochure leak and using our in-house designers, we’ve come up with what we think is an accurate representation of the production version. Some sources have suggested a global reveal before the end of 2025.
Expected to continue with its impressive off-road abilities and legendary reliability, the 2026 Toyota Hilux comes with an evolutionary design. Sure, it is cliched, but this is one of Toyota’s bread-and-butter models and the brand can’t afford to polarise its audience. Remember that this double-cab bakkie has been Toyota South Africa’s best-selling vehicle for 50 years.
The double-cab bakkie segment has changed radically since the last all-new 8th-generation Hilux was revealed. We’re in the era of radically shorter product lifecycles and we’ve seen newcomers enter the market as well as established brands overhaul their lineup.
The interest in the high-tech hybrid BYD Shark is incredible, we’ve seen nothing like it and to be fair, the hype is justified – the Shark is impressive for a first attempt. Both the Ford Ranger and the Isuzu D-Max have been upgraded and are both worthy rivals to the Hilux. We’re at the point now that when you step into a Hilux, the cabin look and feel lags behind.
In terms of engine and powertrain, it is expect the 2026 Toyota Hilux will use an enhanced version of the 2.8-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel motor with 48V mild-hybrid technology. As a reminder, the current GR-Sport offers up 165 kW and 550 Nm, and a Legend 55 model will be the swansong for this generation.
Inside, we suspect that a version of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado’s screen and switchgear will make its way to the 2026 Toyota Hilux. Nothing has been confirmed in the way of platform yet, some have said it will continue to ride on the current setup, while others reckon the TNGA-F platform.
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