- The ninth generation of the popular Toyota Hilux pickup truck is set to be offered in fully-electric form for the first time.
- In the switch to electrification, Toyota has maintained the unstoppable attributes that made previous generations of the Hilux such a hit – such as permanent all-wheel-drive, high levels of durability and reliability, and the same water wading depth as its ICE-powered equivalent.
- The fully-electric Toyota Hilux will be launched from December.
Introducing the fully-electric Toyota Hilux
Toyota has revealed the ninth generation of its Toyota Hilux pickup truck. Alongside petrol, diesel, and mild hybrid powertrains, this latest Hilux will also be offered in fully-electric form for the first time, and comes as Toyota gets deeper into its EV game. Just recently, it also announced that its world’s best-selling Corolla will soon be offered in EV form.
The Hilux has gained a reputation for being a dependable workhorse, also helped through previous viral tests on UK TV show Top Gear, including failed attempts to ‘kill’ a heavily-used example, and its achievement as the first automobile to reach the magnetic North Pole.
Previous ICE generations of the Hilux have already been a popular choice within business fleets, and Toyota expects this new all-electric variant to be a particular hit with fleet customers, offering lower running costs whilst maintaining the quality, durability, and reliability that the 56 year old model name has been renowned for.
Specifications-wise, the BEV variant of the new Hilux will feature front and rear eaxles, generating a total torque figure of 473.6Nm of torque (split 205Nm to the front, 268.6Nm to the rear). Combined with a multi-terrain select system and a 700mm water wading capability, the electric Hilux is also primed to be a seriously capable electric off-roader.
Toyota expects the EV Hilux to have a maximum bed payload of 715kg, whilst a towing capacity of 1,600kg will also be on offer. With a 59.2kWh lithium-ion battery, a WLTP driving range of 240 kilometres (149 miles) is also expected. A number of visual aerodynamic changes have been made to the EV variant to maximise range, including a new front grille and redesigned wheels. There’s no official word on pricing just yet, but considering the pricing of a key rival, the £59,995 Isuzu D-Max EV, we can expect the Hilux Electric to start somewhere around the £60,000 mark.
