Toyota Hilux Expert Review

The 2026 Toyota Hilux retains its rugged ladder-frame chassis. With the new Hilux, Toyota improved overall chassis rigidity, with the floor featuring an additional 36 spot welds. Styling is far more modern than before, with Toyota's bold Cyber-Sumo design language giving the Hilux a new design that is inspired by the Japanese sumo wrestlers. The pickup is now more aggressive; the front end is now very edgy with slimmer LED headlights and prominent Toyota lettering. Practical touches such as the integrated rear side steps and damped tailgate make the load bed easier to use, while the familiar proportions preserve its unmistakable Hilux identity.

The new dashboard has been redesigned significantly and looks very different from the previous version, more like the Land Cruiser Prado, giving the cabin a fresher look without compromising functionality. The air conditioning controls are now more conventional, but Toyota could have executed them better. Passenger space remains decent, with supportive front seats and improved rear seat comfort, although the upright seating position is still more utilitarian than SUV-like. The generous load bed continues to be one of the Hilux's biggest strengths, aided by integrated side steps that make loading cargo more convenient.

The top-spec Hilux gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone connectivity and a 360-degree camera, though the interface feels dated and some expected premium features remain absent. Equipment such as ventilated seats, automatic climate control and powered seat adjustment is still missing. Safety, however, is well covered with seven airbags, ESP and a strong five-star Australasian NCAP crash rating for international spec models.

The familiar 2.8-litre diesel engine continues with 204 hp and 500 Nm, paired exclusively with a smooth 6-speed torque converter gearbox. Strong low-end torque, effortless performance and excellent off-road capability remain key highlights, while improved insulation and revised engine mounts have noticeably enhanced refinement. The engine becomes vocal at higher revs, but everyday driving remains quiet and vibration levels are impressively low.

Toyota has not revealed official fuel economy figures, but the carry-over powertrain is expected to deliver efficiency similar to the outgoing Hilux. Expect around 12kpl under standard test conditions, while real-world mileage will largely depend on driving conditions, with highway cruising delivering the best results.

Suspension revisions improve the Hilux's ability to absorb large bumps, potholes and rough trails, and its capable 4WD system inspires confidence off-road. However, the leaf-spring rear suspension still struggles over smaller road imperfections, resulting in a bouncy ride when the load bed is empty. High-speed stability remains reassuring, although the heavy steering and sizeable dimensions mean it never feels particularly agile on the road.

The new Toyota Hilux remains true to its workhorse roots. While the cabin feels utilitarian and the feature list falls short of similarly priced SUVs, its rugged construction, refined diesel engine, practical load bed and highly capable 4WD system continue to make it one of the most dependable lifestyle pickups on sale. If your priority is comfort and luxury, there are better alternatives, but for buyers seeking a tough, go-anywhere pickup that delivers on durability and capability, the Hilux remains hard to beat.