- The ninth-generation Toyota Hilux is here, and it’s electric.
- A dual-motor setup provides four-wheel drive without a traditional transfer case.
- The 59.2 kWh lithium-ion battery is mounted under the floor, between the chassis rails.
It finally happened. The Toyota Hilux pickup truck, which is known around the world for its ability to withstand extreme punishment while occasionally carrying heavy automatic weapons in the bed, is now electric.
The ninth-generation Hilux debuted today in Thailand, ten years after the previous model launched, with Toyota putting the EV variant under the spotlight ahead of additional diesel and hydrogen fuel cell powertrains.
Photo by: Toyota
The new Toyota Hilux will be available in both single- and double-cab body styles, though European markets will only get the latter, with sales being the main reason behind this decision, according to the Automaker.
A single all-electric setup is offered, which consists of two electric motors–one for each axle–and a 59.2-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The maximum power output is rated at 193 horsepower (144 kilowatts), with the front motor putting down 151 pound-feet (205 Newton-meters) of torque, while the rear drive unit is responsible for another 198 lb-ft (269 Nm). The maximum payload capacity of the Toyota Hilux BEV is 1,576 pounds (715 kilograms), while the towing capacity is 3,527 lbs (1,600 kg).
29
Source: Toyota
The big elephant in the room is the driving range. Toyota says the new Hilux BEV will be able to go roughly 150 miles (240 kilometers) on a full charge, based on the WLTP cycle. That’s not a lot by modern EV standards, but it could prove plentiful for those who mainly use their trucks on short distances on farms or job sites.
The battery is installed under the floor and between the ladder chassis frame rails to keep the center of gravity low and the impact on interior space minimal. Toyota didn’t say how fast the battery can be charged, and whether or not it will support DC fast charging. The official photos only show the battery-powered Hilux charging from a Level 2 stall.
Styling-wise, the ninth-gen Toyota Hilux is a little more aggressive than before, with cues borrowed from the new Land Cruiser and U.S.-spec Tacoma. Inside, there are plenty of physical buttons that complement a pair of 12.3-inch screens–one for the digital instrument cluster and one for the infotainment system. Electric power steering also makes an appearance for the first time on the Hilux, and the infotainment system supports over-the-air updates.
Besides the all-electric version, Toyota will also offer the new Hilux with a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine with mild-hybrid tech, as well as non-electrified 2.8-liter diesel and 2.7-liter gasoline engines, depending on the market. What’s more, starting in 2028, a hydrogen fuel-cell (FCEV) version will join the range, with Toyota among the few automakers still investing hard currency in the technology.
The new Toyota Hilux goes on sale in Europe in December, while the mild-hybrid diesel will hit showroom floors next spring. The global pickup will more than likely miss the U.S., where it would fight for the same customers as the Tacoma, which is not offered as an EV.
