FINALLY: The ninth-gen Toyota Hilux has been unveiled in Thailand

You’ve probably seen the leaks here and here, but after 10 years, the globally popular Toyota Hilux finally receives a new generation.

Revealed in Thailand, Toyota has brought a host of changes to the popular pickup truck’s DNA for this ninth generation, most notably in the powertrain department as it enters electrification.

Yes, you read that right. The Toyota Hilux is now available with an all-electric powertrain, the first for the Hilux nameplate and for a Toyota pickup truck.

Available on the Travo-e trim, propelling the all-electric Hilux is a dual-motor system (AWD) that makes up to 196 horsepower (176 horsepower rear, 112 horsepower front), paired to a 59.2kWh lithium-ion battery, allowing for a range of up to 315km on a single charge. We, too are curious about the torque figure, but that’s not yet available as of this writing.

For those who still want the traditional pickup truck feel, the 2.8-liter 1GD-FTV turbodiesel engine has been carried over in both pure-ICE and mild-hybrid versions, and still producing 204 horsepower and up to 500Nm of torque, and mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission.

In the looks department, the 2026 Toyota Hilux is a mix of both new and old. 

New are its front and rear sections where it gets new C-shaped lighting signatures for the slim headlights and vertical taillights, a tall hood, more angular lines, and multiple wheel designs. Most variants get a honeycomb grille, traded for a closed-off panel on the Travo-e for better aerodynamics.

Meanwhile, the greenhouse has been carried over with a similar (if not the same) shape and doors, and the Toyota emblem has been replaced by TOYOTA spelled out.

An Overland trim, which would be equivalent to our local market’s Conquest variant, gets even more rugged styling with blacked-out overfenders, muscular bumpers, side bed access steps, and a sports bar at the back.

The interior is just as we saw in the leaked images, completely redesigned, taking some cues from the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 250 and Land Cruiser 300.

It gets a meaty three-spoke steering wheel, along with a fully-digital 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system on higher trims. Storage cubbies are also noticeably plentiful, spread throughout the cabin, and it now gets an electronic parking brake with auto-hold function.

Now let’s talk about the improvements underneath.

The new Toyota Hilux is equipped with what Toyota calls Dynamic Cloud technology, which gives improvements in ride comfort, stability, and vehicle handling. The Travo-e also gets Diamond Guard underbody protection to help avoid damage to electric components underneath.

Buyers who truly enjoy their pickup trucks will appreciate Multi-Terrain Select, which allows the user to select different off-road modes to enhance traction, manoeuvrability, and stability in different conditions.

For safety, the Hilux gets an improved suite of advanced driver-assist systems under Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. It also gets blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree view camera for easy maneuvering.

The 2026 Toyota Hilux is already available for the Thai market, with it going to other markets by the 2026 fiscal year. Now you might be wondering when Toyota Motor Philippines plans to bring the new Hilux to our market. A highly possible introduction could happen at the 2026 Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), which is said to happen around June 2026.

Regardless of when it arrives, this will surely be a top-seller once it hits local showrooms.

_{Photos from Toyota}