2026 Toyota Hilux will not be all-new after all
Toyota is about to drop a bomb when it launches the next generation Hilux. The bakkie will not be an all-new US Tacoma-based pickup truck after all. It will be yet another variation of the current, tried and tested Hilux that’s been around for around fifteen years already. You know what they say… if it ain’t broke, why fix it?
While odds were on a complete remake, there have been several hints that the new one will after all be another upgrade. But a substantial one at that. Spy images have revealed the new bakkie will have a nose and tail job, but the cab in the pictures our exclusive Auto rendering of the bronze Next Hilux above, is identical to the existing model as you can see in the image of the confirmed new Legend 55 in blue below.
New Legend 55 points to next Hilux, as usual
It is not unusual for a 2020s bakkie to soldier on off a common platform for a few generations. Witness the ‘New’ Ford Ranger. It too, is based on a fifteen year old approaching four-generation platform. Also. Toyota has traditionally launched its Legend series Hiluxes in the year before the new one arrives. And Legend bakkies have always telegraphed some of the major tech upgrades for the new one, that also traditionally breaks cover in December. So look forward to this new Hilux for Christmas!
Seems the tradition continues. The Legend 55 introduced alongside several other new for 2025 Toyotas and Lexi, will pick up on most of the upgrades of the current GR-S version 3 Hilux. That includes the wide body, broader suspension and from what we understand, the 165 kW 550 Nm version of the venerable 2.8 turbodiesel turning its long serving 6-speed auto box. We also expect loadbay upgrades to meet Ranger’s Euro palette toting ability. That should come with outboard dampers and disc brake rear end, and a whole lot of drivetrain enhancements and tweaks.
Gazoo-tweaked Fortuner GR-S will up the ante
Hybridisation makes for an interesting prospect over and above the existing 48V version. Somehow we expect to see advances there. One aspect we are almost sure of, is that the new Hilux will benefit a cabin revolution as Toyota pushes on with its promise of latest-tech infotainment and comms. Where that leaves the proposed Tacoma-based Hilux is anyone’s bet. But with an investment as significant as what this facelift will benefit, we don’t see that vehicle coming anytime within the next two years. If ever.
Speaking of Toypta’s State of the Motor Industry convention, amid the conundrum of happiness and rainbows, and doom and gloom, Toyota trotted out some pretty tasty new kit. Starting with Hilux Legend 55, there’s also a GR-S Fortuner on the way. For that just read all the Hilux GR-S upgrades and dramatic new looks built into the existing Fortuner. And knowing how Toyota SA does things, we’d expect a major Fortuner upgrade to follow a few months after the New Hilux next year.
Lexus: New LX, improved GX coming up
Other new metal includes a neatly upgraded Corolla Cross we will introduce you to in a few days and a 210kW 400Nm GR Yaris upgrade including aesthetic refinements inside and out, a power hike, along with an all-new 8-speed auto option.
Moving on to Lexus, it will concentrate on its top end SUVs in 2025 with a LX upgrade including an all-new 700h hybrid variant. But the biggest news there is of the all-new rugged yet sophisticated Lexus GX. Based on the Land Cruiser Prado, the luxury one gets a smashing new 250 kW 650 Nm V6 to solve power concerns there, and the range will include off-roading Overtrail option when it hits SA in March.
South Africa must grow its car market – Kirby
For the rest Toyota SA boss Andrew Kirby was confident and cautious as usual as he celebrated another great year for the company. But warned of some great concerns. He fears the likes of the cut-price Chinese threat has the potential to de-industrialise the local car market and make it import dependant. He noted the buying down trend and factors of a suffering market, like downtrends in financing outlays based on that buying down.
Kirby said growing car sales in SA would attract more foreign direct investment, underlined the need for government support and hailed a new incentive policy for the production of electric vehicles to keep up with export market trends. He also elaborated that the interest rate cutting cycle, and further fuel price stabilisation are vital to the industry’s future success. – Michele Lupini & Ken Hawkins.
New Hilux rendering: Michele Lupini
