Toyota Hilux: The indestructible
Is new styling enough to get you to buy a new Toyota – even if it has just lost a bunch of features considered basic at the Hilux’s price point?
2026 Toyota Hilux engine and driving
Sure, people who still want a Hilux, will buy a Hilux; after all there is nothing like it (though I should hold that comment till August 15 when the Scorpio-N pickup gets unveiled). The Hilux still looks muscular and is a daunting presence in one’s rear view mirror. Toyota calls the new design ‘Cyber Sumo’ claiming its face is inspired by a Sumo wrestler’s ready stance that conveys strength - appropriate for a pickup that is legendary for indestructibility and reliability. The good bits from the pre-facelift Hilux are all still present and accounted for. It continues to be underpinned by the Innovative International Multi-vehicle (IMV) platform, which has underpinned the Fortuner and Innova since 2004. This robust body-on-frame architecture was designed for high durability, heavy load-carrying, and extreme off-road capability which is why you see so many Innovas happily trampling over some of the most difficult terrain without breaking a sweat. The engine too is the same – GD series 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel which makes 201bhp and 500Nm when mated to the 6-speed automatic gearbox. Don’t bother asking the 6-speed manual’s torque figures, because we don’t get that anymore – consider this the first of many things the Hilux no longer gets. Staying with the good things for now, this engine delivers all 500Nm of its torque from 1600rpm via the standard automatic gearbox – which means driveability is excellent. Whether the bed is fully loaded or not, this engine makes creeping off from a standstill and trundling around at low speed extremely easy to manage. When you find an open road the boost picks up from 3000rpm onwards and propels you to over 100kmph without a fuss. The standstill to 100kmph figures will hover around 12-13 seconds but this 2-plus tonne pick-up is meant to lug loads rather than achieve the quickest drag times.
Globally the Hilux gets the 48V mild hybrid system, similar to the Fortuner Neo Drive, but that’s been axed for India. Also, we still get the hydraulic power steering, whereas the global versions now get electric power steering.
2026 Toyota Hilux comfort and load capacity
The payload capacity has increased by 30kg to 500kg via important engineering changes like additional body mounting points leading to enhanced rigidity for the body and thus the additional load capacity. It also gets hydraulic engine mounts and shear-type body mounts. The larger impact of these changes is much improved stability, handling and lower NVH levels. It is now easier to manoeuvre this 5.3-metre long truck as the whole thing feels like it is moving as one unit rather than the split feeling from the previous version. Coupled with the more comfort-oriented suspension tuning, the Hilux is now a much easier vehicle to do long distances in. Mind you, with an empty bed load bed, there is still considerable bounciness, an inherent limitation of the leaf-spring rear suspension, but there is an underlying sense of a smoother ride quality, which bodes well for when you load it up. The second row seat is slightly more reclined, which helps, but it's still not somewhere I'd want to be seated in for long, what with knee room also remaining tight. Surprisingly though, the trade-off is loss of rear AC vents.
2026 Toyota Hilux features
The Hilux gains a larger screen (finally) – a 12.3-inch infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also gets a wireless charger, though my phone could never stay stable on that slanted pad and hence wouldn’t charge. The instrument cluster is now a part digital 7-inch unit – the international one gets the option of a full digital unit. These are still acceptable compared to the equipment that Toyota have removed – leather seats are now cloth seats (more than luxury they were convenient to clean after an off-road session), automatic climate control is gone , and AC has manual controls. Auto dimming IRVM gives way for a flippy type one, the powered driver seat is now manual, and the 18-inch wheels are now 17s (though I like this last change for the wheel design and added cabin comfort). It also does not get ADAS – then again it’s the other cars around you that will need ADAS more. For a lifestyle car to have become so bare bones means either peak confidence in their product or over confidence on their brand.
2026 Toyota Hilux off-road
Having said all of this, the 4x4 system on this car is absolutely ace. The hardware remains the same, but there are some changes on the electronics side. The automatic limited slip diff (Auto LSD) system works brilliantly even when it is in 2WD mode. In the off-road course, the Auto LSD kicked in swiftly when traction was lost and ensured momentum while it rained. It vastly reduces the need for engaging the rear diff lock, but that system remains if you ever need it. The new switch type control makes engaging 4H or 4L very convenient. There are also different terrain modes called Multi Terrain Select (MTS), which has 4 modes – Auto, Rock, Mud and Sand. The Bridgestone AT tyres provided plenty of grip to keep us going – all in all if you get stuck with this car, it is likely because you messed up, or that this car is too big for where you want to go.
2026 Toyota Hilux verdict
This is not a new gen Hilux but also has more enhancements than a facelift would entail. Lifestyle vehicles require two of three things to be successful in India – a standout design, tech that wows, and an exclusivity factor. The design is subjective, but we love it – though we wished the wheel arches were more flared to complete the muscular look (again, there is that option globally). Tech definitely doesn’t wow here, it in fact feels like a workhorse that is meant to do its work well. It will be fairly exclusive as this is not the type of car most people will opt for. Possibly the reason why Toyota now offers a 4x2 version at a lower entry price.The 4x2 variant is priced at ₹32 lakh and the 4x4 variants are ₹33.7 lakh and ₹36.7 lakh.
The people who want this, will get this, and there are a fair amount of people who will, especially with this new design. Will it be able to pull more than just fans of its presence and utility? Doubtful. Importantly for more people, this starts to give us an idea on the design language of the new Fortuner.