Toyota Hilux Hybrid: The unmistakable shape of a pickup truck rises over the horizon, carving its way through the dusty ground with uncanny composure.
It’s at once familiar because it’s the Toyota Hilux that has gone anywhere, and done things no truck has done for more than 50 years. But listen closely—the familiar diesel thrum is now more sophisticated, more subdued, smoother.
Introducing the all-new Toyota Hilux Hybrid 48V, the first electric version of Toyota’s durable and celebrated pick-up, bringing cutting-edge technology and premium features to a vehicle hardwired for rugged toughness.
Toyota Hilux Hybrid Electrification Goes to Work
Toyota’s choice to bring hybrid tech to the Hilux range is a major milestone for a nameplate with more than 55 years of history. The addition of our new 48-volt mild hybrid system to the proven 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine in the pick-up maintains the vehicle’s tough, capable workhorse credentials, and improves performance and efficiency alike.
This unique approach marries the current diesel engine with a new electric motor-generator, 48V lithium-ion battery and a DC-DC converter. The output of the engine remains the punchy 204 DIN hp (150 kW) at 3,400 rpm while also packing a wallop of global torque of 500 Nm from 1,600 - 2,800 rpm.
What’s new, however, is how the electric motor cooperates with the combustion engine: it does so much more smoothly, with significantly better fuel efficiency and a drastically reduced noise level.
The challenge for Toyota’s engineers was a simple but significant one – to electrify the Hilux without compromising the legendary off-road prowess of this pick-up.
They’ve done very well, and in any forms the hybrid gubbins are packaged high in the engine bay so as to not impinge on the car’s 700mm wading depth. The timing belt even got the special touch with a fabric coating as the first for Toyota, which provides durability in severe conditions.
The outcome is a hybrid pickup that gives up nothing in the way of utility. The Hilux Hybrid 48V keeps the same up to 3,500kg towing capacityand 1,000kg payload of the more traditional models, showing that electric power and ruggedness can be happy bedfellows.
The Best of Both Worlds
Slip in to the Hilux Hybrid 48V, and you are greeted by an interior that offers a balance between function and surprising refinement. The cabin is cleverly designed with five seats and all the apps and connectivity you need at your fingertips in the Double Cab.
Front and center to the interior experience is Toyota’s Smart Connect multimedia system with 8-inch touchscreen, and a premium nine-speaker JBL audio package provides rich, detailed sound for anyone who deviates from the paved path.
The device’s cloud-powered navigation provides up-to-the-minute traffic information and route suggestions to get the most out of your journey, along with voice control for making calls and controlling your phone and audio without lifting a finger off the wheel.
Smartphone pairing is full-featured, including wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. Funicit the vehicle MyToyota smartphone can also lock/unlock the doors, and operate the climate control system to be at the preferred temperature when you get inside, all from the comfort of wherever you are.
The regenerative braking helps with the overall efficiency of the truck, and also aids with driving (especially off road) when precise control is key.
This, and the engine braking effect, brings increased precision when descending gradients and increased all-round feedback when it gets rough.
Exterior The Aggressive Look That Commands Respect Quickly talk about its looks, and the front face immediately strikes you with the fierceness in the design, with the car sporting a look that is a contribution of a lot of GC and wind tunnel testing.
The Toyota Hybrid 48V Hilux leads with strong styling cues that reflect its hard-wearing nature with bold, contemporary design features. The three-dimensional design of the grille and muscular front bumper project a bold, athletic presence while LED lighting serve as the perfect low-energy complement to this eye-catching front fascia.
The Hilux Hybrid 48V is 5,325mm long, up to 1,900mm wide, and 1,865mm high, and is an imposing presence on the road. Double cab type, combining a utility-based 1,555mm-long bed with versatile cabin space for occupants and their gear, be it work equipment or leisure and sports gear.
Body-on-Frame Structure and Ladder Frame ChassisStill in the DNA of the Hilux is the same body-on-frame architecture and resin reinforcement that gave the vehicle its legendary strength and durability.
With 310mm ground clearance and approach and departure angles of 29 and 26 degrees respectively, the Hilux Hybrid 48V can tackle the toughest off-road obstacles without batting an eyelid.
For customers looking for an even more unique look, the GR SPORT II has arrived as the new flagship model of the Hilux line-up. This version is inspired by Toyota’s victorious Dakar Rally car and has chassis, suspension and braking modifications to make it the best-driving Hilux yet.
The GR SPORT II is differentiated by its black G-mesh pattern grilles and heritage-inspired classic TOYOTA badging, providing an emotional connection to those who want their car to reflect their personal style and character.
Advanced Safety Features
The Hilux Hybrid 48V features Toyota Safety Sense for safety across the cabin and beyond. The collection of highly sophisticated safety features includes Pre-Collision System with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Lane Departure Alert with steering control, Adaptive Cruise Control and Road Sign Assist.
These functions operate in unison to prevent typical accidental dangers, so that the Hilux isn’t just strong, it’s smart in protecting those who travel inside it.
The ability of the system is especially appreciated when towing heavy loads or tackling tricky terrains, because the added safety net offers increased confidence and peace of mind.
Environmental Credentials
While the Hilux still is a workhorse, the new hybrid powertrain provides real environmental gains. The 48V package works for reduced CO2 levels that will assist the Hilux meet the more stringent regulations now in force in all major regions of the world.
Better fuel economy — some testing indicates up to 40 mpg in combined driving — means reduced operating costs and less time between fill-ups.
Furthermore, the Hilux is compatible with HVO100 diesel, a non-fossil fuel composed of 100% renewable sourced material. This increases the vehicle’s green credentials and ensures flexibility for companies and consumers keen to cut their carbon emissions.
Market Positioning & Competition
The Hilux Hybrid 48V will be much welcomed in a sector that is hungry for a more capable and refined set of pickups. It’s a concept that gives it something of a best-of-both-worlds appeal – proven off-road capability, uprated on-road refinement and mild hybridisation to differentiate itself in a field dominated by the Ford Ranger, Volkswagen Amarok and Nissan Navara.
Priced from just under $35,000 for entry-level models and climbing toward $60,000 for high-spec variants, the Hilux Hybrid 48V is a serious investment.
“Nevertheless, Toyota’s reputation for unburstable durability and the vehicle’s expansive off-road ability make it a very strong long-term ownership proposition both for commercial users and lifestyle buyers.”
The available trims are the base Workmate, mid-tier SR, and top-tier SR5 or Invincible, all serving so many use cases, and covering so many budgets.
All versions also now come with 48V mild-hybrid tech, and the premium for the electrified powertrain does vary across the range – it will add between around $590 and $1,605 depending on the spec you choose.
Toyota Hilux Hybrid A Testament to Evolution
The Toyota Hilux has been constantly evolving for over 50 years, staying ahead of the curve and meeting the needs of the future while remaining affordable, durable, and reliable.
The creation of the Hybrid 48V powertrain is probably the most significant advance ever for a European Hilux, but it achieves this without sacrificing the core values that have made the Hilux a world-renowned legend in its class.
For businesses, the new Hilux provides an even better cost of ownership proposition, with increased efficiency and lower emissions but without compromising the durability and practicality required by customers day-in and day-out.
For lovers of the outdoors, it brings even more refinement and technology to th0se customers who require more from their vehicle while still delivering the unquestionable strength and ability that have made Hilux the benchmark in the most extreme environments.
With the automotive industry turning more and more to electrification, it’s proof that even the most woefully traditional vehicle segments can benefit from new technology’s touch if applied in the right way.
In emphasizing an improved driver experience and maintaining its predecessor’s capability, Toyota has made certain that this next generation of the Hilux continues to respect its roots while simultaneously anticipating the future.
From city streets to twisting dirt tracks, from working construction vehicles to escaping to the ends of the Earth, the Hilux Hybrid 48V builds on this legacy by adding a premium touch – because even after 55 years, there are still new roads to travel for this remarkable vehicle.