Must-know game-changing features of SA’s beloved bakkie

MORE details have emerged following the official reveal of the new Toyota Hilux in Thailand, and no doubt South Africans will be champing at the bit to continue its status as the country's favourite bakkie.

- WILLEM VAN DE PUTTE

We know that the new Hilux will also be built at the Prospecton plant in Durban, but at this stage, we know only that it will be released sometime in 2026, with models and specifications still under wraps.

Powertrains

According to the official Australian press release, all grades of the new Hilux will be powered by the company's 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, producing 150kW and 500Nm of torque paired to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Variants fitted with a six-speed manual transmission develop 420Nm of torque. At this stage, there is no official word on whether the 2.4-litre turbo diesel or petrol options will be available locally.

Toyota's 48-volt V-Active technology will also be standard on automatic double-cab SR grades and above, with an additional 8.5kW and 65Nm of thrust when starting off.

As part of Toyota's multi-pathway approach to decarbonisation, a hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) variant is scheduled to join the lineup in 2028. For the first time, there will be a battery-electric powertrain aimed at fleet and business customers.

Available in double-cab 4x4 SR and SR5 guise, BEV grades will be introduced in 2026 and will be underpinned with an electric motor on each axle, paired with a lithium-ion battery.

It has a combined output of 144kW, while the 59.2 kWh lithium-ion battery enables a claimed range of more than 300 kilometres.

Further details on the BEV powertrain will be revealed closer to launch in 2026. Toyota will offer the new Hilux with a choice of 21 different diesel variants in single, extra and double cab configurations, 4X2 or 4X4 drivelines, manual or automatic transmissions, and WorkMate, SR, SR5, Rogue and new Rugged X grades. The new Rugged X variant offers improved off-road capability with the standard fitment of a range of specifications designed for protection and recovery in off-road terrain.

Exterior