3 reasons to like the next-gen Toyota Hilux

One of the biggest showcases at this year’s Philippine International Motor Show was the next-generation Toyota Hilux. This, of course, is a no-brainer, since the Hilux has already established itself as a household name in the Philippine market. 

So, unsurprisingly, the appearance of a next-generation model was met with much excitement. But as with most reveals of all-new iterations of popular nameplates, it was also met with some amount of doubt and skepticism. 

Like Toyota itself, after all, many fans of this pickup truck platform adhere to the adage “don’t fix what is not broken.” And yes, there is also a small subset out there who have expressed waryness of how the new truck looks, i.e., its appearance. 

With all that said, let us clear the air and check out the three biggest reasons to like the next-generation Toyota Hilux, not just on face value, but on actual on-paper specifications. 

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Continuing the IMV lineage

Just like the current Hilux listed on the Toyota Motor Philippines website, the next-gen Hilux retains a body-on-frame chassis across all variants. Specifically, it continues to utilize the now venerable but also famous Toyota Innovative International multi-purpose vehicle (IMV) platform, which also underpins the likes of the Fortuner, Innova, and the Tamaraw. 

For those wanting a pickup truck for work and off-road, or for those who have been hoping that the Hilux has retained its reputation for being a “tough truck,” this is good news. Sure, the IMV platform is still heavy and practically ancient by automotive industry standards, but it still holds up in terms of sheer durability and repairability. 

Sure, other new-fangled pickup truck models from newer car brands have somewhat veered away from ladder-frame chassis platforms, but the aforementioned is still, without a doubt, the gold standard for off-roaders and utility vehicles. 

For the unaware, the key elements of why ladder frame platforms are favored for tough trucks have to do with how they are built. 

To explain it simply, these types of vehicles have two main pieces that are joined together. These are the body and the eponymous ladder frame chassis. The said frame is made out of two steel rails connected by multiple crossmembers, hence the name “ladder frame,” making for a heavy but flexible structure that isolates the main body (in this case, the pickup truck cab) from the business end of the chassis (the always-moving suspension systems, engine, and transmission). 

At the same time, the next-generation Toyota Hilux that was shown off at the 10th PIMS still uses a rear leaf spring suspension - another hallmark quality of this nameplate that ensures its longevity, especially when used as a work truck.

Leaf springs, after all, are geared towards handling heavy loads, thus making the next-gen Hilux a good logistics solution for businesses and other entities that need to perform heavy-duty work out in the boonies. Sure, this can mean sacrificing a bit of ride comfort, but having this suspension setup helps the nameplate carry up to a ton of cargo on its bed - a worthy sacrifice, many would think. 

Innovative all-electric mobility

Even as the next-gen Toyota Hilux still uses the archaic but undoubtedly durable IMV platform, the Japanese marque sought to slingshot it into the realm of “high-tech” with its all-new battery electric vehicle (BEV) variant. 

Notably, the BEV pickup truck is still a new global segment, but Toyota’s entry is a clear sign of its commitment to its “multi-pathway” approach to the future of mobility. 

As far as specs go, the Toyota Hilux BEV uses a dual motor setup paired with a 59.2-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery pack. Altogether, it can produce up to 193 horsepower (hp). It also has a range of 315 kilometers (km) on a single full charge, along with the usual electric vehicle (EV) accouterments like regenerative braking and fast direct current (DC) charging. 

One can imagine that the all-electric version of the Hilux might be attractive to individuals or businesses seeking to develop an efficient fleet of vehicles, or those who merely want to complement an existing fleet of diesel trucks. 

Fuel, after all, has gotten expensive over the years, especially in recent months. So, the logical counter to this is a fleet of EV units that aren’t beholden to unstable fossil fuel prices. 

If there was a downside to the Toyota Hilux BEV, though, it could be its range. Then again, 315 km is more than enough for specific purposes like in-city operations or last-mile deliveries. There’s also the fact that the EV charging network in the Philippines is improving by the minute, so this could be a non-issue in the near future. 

On the other end of the spectrum, the BEV will still be sold alongside the turbodiesel next-gen Toyota Hilux variants, which now all come with the familiar 2.8-liter 1GD-FTV. At most, it produces 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque and can be paired with either a manual or an automatic six-speed transmission. 

A leap forward in pickup truck cockpits

Another good reason to like the next-generation Toyota Hilux is its much-improved interior. 

For starters, it has ditched the bulgy late 2010s era styling for a sleeker (and straighter) dashboard. Also gone are the weirdly shaped air-conditioning vents, which have been replaced by more congruent-looking rectangular vents that look more stylish and modern. Likewise gone is the slim archaic shifter with lots of chrome bits, in favor of a heftier stick that feels just right on the hands. 

Other parts of the cockpit that were modernized include the physical air-conditioning controls, the shape of the center armrest, most control layouts, and the steering wheel. 

One of the bigger improvements for the next-gen Hilux, however, is the presence of a fully digital gauge cluster. Notably, the old analog/digital screen mix worked well in the past, but the new screen just elevates the truck’s interior from a mere “driver’s seat” into an actual “cockpit.”

Also new is the 12.3-inch central infotainment display, which integrates more seamlessly with the dash. It doesn’t stick out as much as the old headunit, which may mean less distraction for the driver. 

Many will also like the addition of more Type-C USB ports, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and even more USB ports for the seats. 

Final thoughts

Whether you like its design or not, the next-gen Toyota Hilux is a pretty worthy successor. It has all the things you’d want from a tough truck, and it even gets a new BEV variant - a huge deal when it comes to emissions-free motoring. 

For those curious here are the prices of the next-gen Toyota Hilux:

4x4	BEV	P2.99 million
	2.8 Conquest A/T ER (Emotional Red)	P2.631 million
	2.8 Conquest A/T	P2.611 million
	2.8 V M/T ER	P2.553 million
	2.8 V M/T	P2.533 million
	2.8 E M/T	P1.903 million
4x2	2.8 Conquest A/T ER (Emotional Red)	P2.293 million
	2.8 Conquest A/T	P2.273 million
	2.8 G A/T	P1.849 million
	2.8 G M/T	P1.798 million
	2.8 E A/T	P1.772 million

As of this writing, the said model is available for pre-orders. So, if you’re interested in the next-gen iteration of this nameplate, do contact your nearest Toyota dealership. 

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