New Toyota Hilux revealed

Toyota has officially unveiled the ninth-generation Hilux, one of the year's most awaited automotive announcements. The reveal occurred in Thailand, a central hub for production and launch of Toyota's pickup trucks.

Model Overview and Market Presence

The new Hilux arrives ten years after the current version debuted. It continues its legacy as South Africa's best-selling vehicle, where it is produced locally at Toyota’s Prospecton plant in Durban. The global launch is scheduled for 2026 with diverse configurations available.

Key Updates and Variants

Introduction of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) variant alongside updated internal combustion engine (ICE) models.
Engine options and availability will vary by country; South African buyers await confirmation from Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) on local specs.

Design Changes

The new Hilux retains its distinctive boxy silhouette but features a significantly refreshed exterior. Traditional engine models showcase a redesigned honeycomb grille inspired by the updated Corolla Cross.

Sleek LED headlights and daytime running lights stretch along the upper front, accompanied by a black horizontal bar replacing the old Toyota badge with bold “Toyota” lettering.

New features include "a redesigned honeycomb grille, which takes inspiration from the updated Corolla Cross," and "LED headlights and daytime running lights with a black horizontal bar replacing the traditional Toyota badge with bold 'Toyota' lettering."

Author's summary: The ninth-generation Toyota Hilux, launching globally in 2026, blends modern electric options with a refreshed but familiar design, strengthening its global and South African market presence.

BusinessTech — 2025-11-10