- Current-gen Hilux has been around since 2015
- It is set to get exterior and interior revamp
- Diesel engines will get MHEV tech in most markets
Current-gen Hilux to get a major cosmetic overhaul
The current-gen Hilux debuted globally in 2015. While Toyota has given the pickup multiple minor updates in the last decade, the one seen in these spy shots appears to have undergone a more comprehensive facelift. The nose seems to get a majority of design tweaks, and the doors and other parts, including the roof and the bed, look similar to the current version. That means an all-new Hilux is still some time away, and the one being revealed this year will be a heavily re-skinned iteration of the existing model.
Nowadays, many car brands are updating their existing offerings significantly to keep them fresh for some more years rather than introducing an all-new model built from the ground up. While this also seems to be the case with the upcoming Hilux, it remains to be seen whether Toyota calls it an all-new, next-gen model or not.
The spy shots confirm that the Hilux will get a fresh design, which could be unique to the model. The nose is upright, and the bonnet is extremely flat. The entire front seems split into four elements. The headlamps are positioned on corners and appear slimmer than the current model’s, merging neatly with the grille’s top part. The automaker could ditch the logo and replace it with Toyota text branding positioned between the headlamps, as seen in the brand’s other rugged vehicles such as the Tacoma, Tundra and Land Cruiser Prado.
The grille looks like a rectangular unit with multiple design elements, such as honeycomb styling or slats, depending on the variant. The area below the headlamps was covered, so it remains to be seen whether it houses a second set of headlamps or high-set fog lamp housings. Below the grille, there will be inlets for air intakes, split into top and bottom halves, depending on the variant. All in all, the new Hilux could be more butch and aggressive-looking than its predecessor, just like the Tundra and Tacoma pickups sold in markets like North America.
The front fenders’ styling will be tweaked to blend with the new front design. The alloy wheel designs will be new, depending on the variant, along with tyres suitable for different terrains. At the back, the tail-lamps design will undergo a minor change, and the rear bumper will be restyled. What will remain the same, at least as per the spy shots, are the doors and the glasshouse, confirming that this isn’t an all-new Hilux.
There are no spy shots of the interior, and based on the number of updates Toyota is giving to a decade-old pickup’s exterior, we expect the insides to be revamped with more screens and better-quality materials.
Updated Hilux to get mild hybrid diesel for most markets
Under the hood, we expect Toyota to introduce mild hybrid tech on all diesel-powered variants in most markets. Currently, Toyota sells the Hilux MHEV in some countries. As for the petrol versions, it is not yet known if Toyota will introduce strong hybrid setups, which are available on the Tacoma and Tundra.
Sources tell us that the current IMV platform will continue to underpin the Hilux and, most likely, even the heavily updated Fortuner, which is expected to follow. That means Toyota will not switch to the more advanced TNGA-F ladder frame architecture for the Hilux. TNGA-F does duty on the Land Cruiser Prado, Tundra and Tacoma.
One can expect Toyota to optimise the Hilux’s existing 4WD tech with the new model. Since there is no change on the platform side, the Hilux may continue with a knob-operated shift-on-the-fly 4WD lever positioned on the dashboard, just like in the Fortuner.
Expect more details on the heavily updated Hilux to be revealed in the coming months as the global debut nears.
Spy shot source via Indra Fathan