Дата публикации: 01-08-2026 06:30:08

Back in 2004, Toyota debuted its ‘Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle’ platform (or IMV for short), which spawned the seventh-generation Hilux and the first generation of the Fortuner and Innova. As for the Hilux, it moved on to the eighth generation in 2015, and we now have this, the new ninth-generation model, still underpinned by the IMV platform, albeit with major modifications and updates.2026 Toyota Hilux Exterior Design and Engineering – 7/10IMV platform sees a massive update; front styling goes all angularThe front end is now all very edgy and sharp. Cyber Sumo is how Toyota describes the styling.As with its predecessors, the ladder-frame construction remains, but plate thickness in the frame side rails has been increased to enhance rigidity and better resist torsional forces. The body, too, has seen an increase in rigidity, with the floor featuring an additional 36 spot welds; this also helps decrease vibrations.Interestingly, the platform is now fully electrified – impressive, given that installing a battery pack in a ladder-frame chassis is tricky due to the narrower-than-the-body width and the presence of cross members. It shows. The all-electric Hilux features a rather modest 59.2kWh battery pack. It’s unlikely to make its way here, though.17-inch rims provide for taller sidewalls – handy off-road.Other changes to the platform include spring and damper changes to improve ride comfort. As with the previous two generations, wheelbase remains the same at 3,085mm, and the length is identical to its predecessor at just over 5.3 metres.Front styling sees the biggest difference from the earlier model. It’s now all very edgy and sharp. ‘Cyber Sumo’ is how Toyota describes it – a cyborg Sumo wrestler, if you will. The headlights feature sharp daytime running lamps (DRLs), are much slimmer, and flow into a black panel emblazoned with the Toyota lettering. Below is a honeycomb grille flanked by triangular stylistic insets, and the lower end of the bumper retains the angular treatment, with sharp cuts to define its shape.Tail-lights now more angular; bumper features integrated footsteps on the rear and on the sides.The side, however, is more curved, with the doors gently profiled and resembling the previous model, but the cladding is a bit angular and runs the length of the pickup. At the rear end, there is now a side step to make loading and unloading cargo easier. Tail-lights are sharply outlined and flow more into the side profile, and, of course, the rear sees the now-iconic large Toyota lettering across the tailgate, which has a damped release.  2026 Toyota Hilux Interior Space and Comfort – 7/10Adequate cabin space but not what you might expect given the overall sizeDashboard gets a retro-modern style, very similar to that of the Land Cruiser Prado.Like the front-end styling, the new dashboard sees a big departure in styling too. It’s very retro-modern, with straight lines and chunky elements, similar to that of the Land Cruiser Prado. It houses rectangular AC vents and a pop-up centre touchscreen with chamfered lower edges. The steering wheel looks like a straight lift from the Prado, with the same three-spoke design, rectangular centre boss and chunky rectangular buttons.Cabin dimensions remain the same, but reprofiled seats give the backrests a bit more recline.The eighth-gen Hilux received a larger cabin volume, and this has been carried over to the new ninth-gen model. Space inside is thus decent, but going by the large vehicle footprint, you’d be forgiven if you expected more. At the rear, legroom is adequate even with a taller adult seated at the front; the seat backrests are still upright compared to a regular SUV, but the seats themselves have been reprofiled, making them feel just a bit more reclined than before. The headroom is good, and seating three adults at the rear is possible but will feel snug. At the front, the seats feel nice and supportive and are well profiled, with prominent side bolstering that should accommodate a wide body frame easily. They are also upholstered in a fabric that feels nice to the touch.Tailgate features damped release; expect the payload to be the same at 470kg.The load bed is large enough for items such as camping gear, but it’s quite high off the ground, so you’ll have to haul things in and out. The bumper has an integrated step at the rear and on either side as well to make that easier. Toyota has not yet disclosed payload capacity, but expect it to remain the same as before at 470kg.2026 Toyota Hilux Features and Safety – 7/10High on safety kit, but many comfort and convenience features missing360-degree camera is handy but has poor resolution.The new Hilux comes in three grades, with the top-spec variant featuring kit such as a 360-degree camera view – though resolution is poor – an 8-inch digital instrument panel and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen with wireless phone connectivity. The native OS styling appears quite outdated, but the screen resolution is good. There’s a wireless phone charging slot, but it’s quite deep, and retrieving your phone needs slim hands.Besides these and basic bits such as power windows and outside rearview mirrors (ORVMs), there’s not much else on the new Hilux. Features like auto HVAC, powered or ventilated seats and a rear defogger are all missing even in the fully loaded version.Misses key equipment such as automatic climate control; gets drive and terrain modes.Safety equipment is good, with 7 airbags standard on all variants, as is ESP. A tyre-pressure monitoring system, however, is only present on the top variant. As for a crash-test rating, the new Hilux has not been tested by Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP, but the Australia-spec model has received a 5-star rating under the ANCAP protocol.2026 Toyota Hilux Performance and Refinement – 9/10Good pulling power with a very refined engine and a vibe-free interiorThe new Hilux retains the same 2.8-litre 4-cylinder diesel that makes an identical 204hp and 500Nm of torque. A 6-speed torque-converter automatic is now the only gearbox option, and for the first time, Toyota India is offering the Hilux with a 4X2 drivetrain option.2.8-litre diesel engine has new mounts and is extremely refined, with low noise and vibration levels.There are three drive modes – Eco, Normal and Sport; all feel quite useable. Performance is strong, and even when pushed hard, it never feels out of breath. There’s a good amount of power available lower down in the rev range, and even through a forest trail with stones and muck, modulating power to keep momentum was easy.Shifts are expectedly smooth from the 6-speed autobox, and in Sport mode, the downshifts are quick enough both when left to its own devices and via inputs from the gear lever.Performance is quite potent, and it never feels out of breath. At high revs, the engine does get vocal, but for what is a workhorse, it’s quite acceptable. In fact, at everyday motoring speeds, sound levels are low, and refinement is excellent, with minimal to no vibrations around the cabin. Toyota says it has worked on improving this aspect with both hydraulic and shear-type engine mounts, a stiffened body frame and better cabin insulation.2026 Toyota Hilux Mileage and Efficiency – 8/10With a kerb weight of over two tonnes, expect single-digit real-world efficiency figuresToyota has yet to disclose the ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figures, but considering that the powertrain has been carried over, expect a similar figure of around 12kpl on the standard test cycle. In real-world usage, figures will hover in the single-digit zone, and only on relaxed highway cruising will you achieve double-digit mileage.2026 Toyota Hilux Ride Comfort and Handling – 7/10Comfy and unfazed over the big stuff, but skittish and firm on smaller ruts and bumpsOff-road is where the Hilux excels; 4X4 model gets low range as well as a rear locking differential. The suspension architecture has been carried over, with an independent double-wishbone coil spring setup at the front and a rigid axle with leaf springs at the rear. Toyota says it has reworked it to bring a bit more comfort, but that’s hard to verify in isolation, and perhaps a back-to-back drive would reveal the difference. On its own, it can soak up the tough bits such as large rocks and deep potholes; sharp edges are also well ironed out. The Hilux felt confident and sure-footed through a forest trail strewn with loose rocks. Much of the trail was manageable in 4X2 mode, but some bits required 4X4, which was all too easy for the pickup. There’s also a 4-Low ratio and terrain modes that help traction over loose surfaces. Ride is jittery at speed and with the rear cargo bed unloaded.However, it gets unsettled over smaller ruts and bumps that really shake up the cabin. The main reason here is the rigid rear axle, which, especially with the empty load bed, simply skips over these imperfections, resulting in a skittish and bouncy ride. Rear passengers, in particular, will feel this more. A loaded rear will improve things but will not bring this to passenger SUV comfort levels.As for handling, high-speed stability is good, but you know it’s a heavy vehicle, and you can feel its weight through corners. As before, steering effort remains heavy at low speeds, and with the Hilux’s massive length, it feels quite ponderous.2026 Toyota Hilux Value for Money – 7/104X2 makes it more affordable than before, but a lot of features are missingToyota has launched the new Hilux with the top variant priced at the same Rs 36.69 lakh (ex-showroom, India) as before, while the entry-level 4X2 variant costs less than any previous variant, at Rs 31.99 lakh. But in doing so, it has skipped a lot of features, even going by its predecessor’s list. The Hilux’s appeal then depends on which aspect of its ‘lifestyle pickup’ description you value more.Its sharp styling and sheer size give it that lifestyle-vehicle presence. However, inside, it feels utilitarian; the cabin isn’t premium in terms of materials, and it is very under-equipped. The heavy steering and bouncy ride also mean a workhorse-like experience rather than a luxury SUV.But that workhorse bit is exactly where the Toyota Hilux excels. The load bed is handy and can haul odd bits of gear, the engine is torquey and powerful, and what’s nice is that it is refined as well. The 4X4 system is very capable, and it’s got tough bones that will outlast pretty much anything you can throw at it. If a luxury SUV is what you’re after, you’ll be better off elsewhere, but if you’re looking for a rough-and-tough, go-anywhere, do-anything, outdoors kind of vehicle that looks the part and plays it too, then, in all probability, your search will end right here.

Основное содержимое страницы с новостью.

Back in 2004, Toyota debuted its ‘Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle’ platform (or IMV for short), which spawned the seventh-generation Hilux and the first generation of the Fortuner and Innova. As for the Hilux, it moved on to the eighth generation in 2015, and we now have this, the new ninth-generation model, still underpinned by the IMV platform, albeit with major modifications and updates.

2026 Toyota Hilux Exterior Design and Engineering – 7/10IMV platform sees a massive update; front styling goes all angularThe front end is now all very edgy and sharp. Cyber Sumo is how Toyota describes the styling.

As with its predecessors, the ladder-frame construction remains, but plate thickness in the frame side rails has been increased to enhance rigidity and better resist torsional forces. The body, too, has seen an increase in rigidity, with the floor featuring an additional 36 spot welds; this also helps decrease vibrations.

Interestingly, the platform is now fully electrified – impressive, given that installing a battery pack in a ladder-frame chassis is tricky due to the narrower-than-the-body width and the presence of cross members. It shows. The all-electric Hilux features a rather modest 59.2kWh battery pack. It’s unlikely to make its way here, though.

17-inch rims provide for taller sidewalls – handy off-road.

Other changes to the platform include spring and damper changes to improve ride comfort. As with the previous two generations, wheelbase remains the same at 3,085mm, and the length is identical to its predecessor at just over 5.3 metres.

Front styling sees the biggest difference from the earlier model. It’s now all very edgy and sharp. ‘Cyber Sumo’ is how Toyota describes it – a cyborg Sumo wrestler, if you will. The headlights feature sharp daytime running lamps (DRLs), are much slimmer, and flow into a black panel emblazoned with the Toyota lettering. Below is a honeycomb grille flanked by triangular stylistic insets, and the lower end of the bumper retains the angular treatment, with sharp cuts to define its shape.

Tail-lights now more angular; bumper features integrated footsteps on the rear and on the sides.

The side, however, is more curved, with the doors gently profiled and resembling the previous model, but the cladding is a bit angular and runs the length of the pickup. At the rear end, there is now a side step to make loading and unloading cargo easier. Tail-lights are sharply outlined and flow more into the side profile, and, of course, the rear sees the now-iconic large Toyota lettering across the tailgate, which has a damped release.  

2026 Toyota Hilux Interior Space and Comfort – 7/10Adequate cabin space but not what you might expect given the overall sizeDashboard gets a retro-modern style, very similar to that of the Land Cruiser Prado.

Like the front-end styling, the new dashboard sees a big departure in styling too. It’s very retro-modern, with straight lines and chunky elements, similar to that of the Land Cruiser Prado. It houses rectangular AC vents and a pop-up centre touchscreen with chamfered lower edges. The steering wheel looks like a straight lift from the Prado, with the same three-spoke design, rectangular centre boss and chunky rectangular buttons.

Cabin dimensions remain the same, but reprofiled seats give the backrests a bit more recline.

The eighth-gen Hilux received a larger cabin volume, and this has been carried over to the new ninth-gen model. Space inside is thus decent, but going by the large vehicle footprint, you’d be forgiven if you expected more. At the rear, legroom is adequate even with a taller adult seated at the front; the seat backrests are still upright compared to a regular SUV, but the seats themselves have been reprofiled, making them feel just a bit more reclined than before. The headroom is good, and seating three adults at the rear is possible but will feel snug. At the front, the seats feel nice and supportive and are well profiled, with prominent side bolstering that should accommodate a wide body frame easily. They are also upholstered in a fabric that feels nice to the touch.

Tailgate features damped release; expect the payload to be the same at 470kg.

The load bed is large enough for items such as camping gear, but it’s quite high off the ground, so you’ll have to haul things in and out. The bumper has an integrated step at the rear and on either side as well to make that easier. Toyota has not yet disclosed payload capacity, but expect it to remain the same as before at 470kg.

2026 Toyota Hilux Features and Safety – 7/10High on safety kit, but many comfort and convenience features missing360-degree camera is handy but has poor resolution.

The new Hilux comes in three grades, with the top-spec variant featuring kit such as a 360-degree camera view – though resolution is poor – an 8-inch digital instrument panel and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen with wireless phone connectivity. The native OS styling appears quite outdated, but the screen resolution is good. There’s a wireless phone charging slot, but it’s quite deep, and retrieving your phone needs slim hands.

Besides these and basic bits such as power windows and outside rearview mirrors (ORVMs), there’s not much else on the new Hilux. Features like auto HVAC, powered or ventilated seats and a rear defogger are all missing even in the fully loaded version.

Misses key equipment such as automatic climate control; gets drive and terrain modes.

Safety equipment is good, with 7 airbags standard on all variants, as is ESP. A tyre-pressure monitoring system, however, is only present on the top variant. As for a crash-test rating, the new Hilux has not been tested by Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP, but the Australia-spec model has received a 5-star rating under the ANCAP protocol.

2026 Toyota Hilux Performance and Refinement – 9/10Good pulling power with a very refined engine and a vibe-free interior

The new Hilux retains the same 2.8-litre 4-cylinder diesel that makes an identical 204hp and 500Nm of torque. A 6-speed torque-converter automatic is now the only gearbox option, and for the first time, Toyota India is offering the Hilux with a 4X2 drivetrain option.

2.8-litre diesel engine has new mounts and is extremely refined, with low noise and vibration levels.

There are three drive modes – Eco, Normal and Sport; all feel quite useable. Performance is strong, and even when pushed hard, it never feels out of breath. There’s a good amount of power available lower down in the rev range, and even through a forest trail with stones and muck, modulating power to keep momentum was easy.

Shifts are expectedly smooth from the 6-speed autobox, and in Sport mode, the downshifts are quick enough both when left to its own devices and via inputs from the gear lever.

Performance is quite potent, and it never feels out of breath. 

At high revs, the engine does get vocal, but for what is a workhorse, it’s quite acceptable. In fact, at everyday motoring speeds, sound levels are low, and refinement is excellent, with minimal to no vibrations around the cabin. Toyota says it has worked on improving this aspect with both hydraulic and shear-type engine mounts, a stiffened body frame and better cabin insulation.

2026 Toyota Hilux Mileage and Efficiency – 8/10With a kerb weight of over two tonnes, expect single-digit real-world efficiency figures

Toyota has yet to disclose the ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figures, but considering that the powertrain has been carried over, expect a similar figure of around 12kpl on the standard test cycle. In real-world usage, figures will hover in the single-digit zone, and only on relaxed highway cruising will you achieve double-digit mileage.

2026 Toyota Hilux Ride Comfort and Handling – 7/10Comfy and unfazed over the big stuff, but skittish and firm on smaller ruts and bumpsOff-road is where the Hilux excels; 4X4 model gets low range as well as a rear locking differential. 

The suspension architecture has been carried over, with an independent double-wishbone coil spring setup at the front and a rigid axle with leaf springs at the rear. Toyota says it has reworked it to bring a bit more comfort, but that’s hard to verify in isolation, and perhaps a back-to-back drive would reveal the difference. On its own, it can soak up the tough bits such as large rocks and deep potholes; sharp edges are also well ironed out. The Hilux felt confident and sure-footed through a forest trail strewn with loose rocks. Much of the trail was manageable in 4X2 mode, but some bits required 4X4, which was all too easy for the pickup. There’s also a 4-Low ratio and terrain modes that help traction over loose surfaces. 

Ride is jittery at speed and with the rear cargo bed unloaded.

However, it gets unsettled over smaller ruts and bumps that really shake up the cabin. The main reason here is the rigid rear axle, which, especially with the empty load bed, simply skips over these imperfections, resulting in a skittish and bouncy ride. Rear passengers, in particular, will feel this more. A loaded rear will improve things but will not bring this to passenger SUV comfort levels.

As for handling, high-speed stability is good, but you know it’s a heavy vehicle, and you can feel its weight through corners. As before, steering effort remains heavy at low speeds, and with the Hilux’s massive length, it feels quite ponderous.

2026 Toyota Hilux Value for Money – 7/104X2 makes it more affordable than before, but a lot of features are missing

Toyota has launched the new Hilux with the top variant priced at the same Rs 36.69 lakh (ex-showroom, India) as before, while the entry-level 4X2 variant costs less than any previous variant, at Rs 31.99 lakh. But in doing so, it has skipped a lot of features, even going by its predecessor’s list. The Hilux’s appeal then depends on which aspect of its ‘lifestyle pickup’ description you value more.

Its sharp styling and sheer size give it that lifestyle-vehicle presence. However, inside, it feels utilitarian; the cabin isn’t premium in terms of materials, and it is very under-equipped. The heavy steering and bouncy ride also mean a workhorse-like experience rather than a luxury SUV.

But that workhorse bit is exactly where the Toyota Hilux excels. The load bed is handy and can haul odd bits of gear, the engine is torquey and powerful, and what’s nice is that it is refined as well. The 4X4 system is very capable, and it’s got tough bones that will outlast pretty much anything you can throw at it. If a luxury SUV is what you’re after, you’ll be better off elsewhere, but if you’re looking for a rough-and-tough, go-anywhere, do-anything, outdoors kind of vehicle that looks the part and plays it too, then, in all probability, your search will end right here.

Схожие новости