Toyota reveals updated 2021 Hilux in Thailand

Toyota has officially revealed the facelifted 2021 Hilux alongside its SUV sibling, the Fortuner which also got a facelift. This update brings it more in line with the company’s current design language.

The updated exterior of the Hilux looks generally the same as what we saw in previously leaked photos, spy shots, and the recent teaser by Toyota.

In front, it gets a new larger and wider grille and a new more rugged bumper, fitting for this kind of vehicle. The LED headlights also get a minor redesign. Lower-spec variants appear to still get the same halogen multi-reflector headlight design. At the back, the taillights get an updated LED design.

The Rocco-variant, the top-spec variant for the Hilux in Thailand and their equivalent of the Hilux Conquest, gets the biggest changes with its own set of bumpers, alloy wheels, and wheel-arch extensions. Overall, the updates to the exterior give off Toyota Tacoma vibes. The Tacoma is the equivalent of the Hilux for the North American market.

Inside, not much has changed. First, there is a redesigned instrument cluster, new instrument cluster, and a new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Under the hood, the updated Hilux still gets the familiar 2.8-liter 1GD-FTV turbodiesel engine. It now makes 201 hp and 500 Nm of torque. An increase of 27 hp and 50 Nm. This also makes it on par with the Ford Ranger Raptor as being equipped with the most powerful engines in the segment. Lower-spec variants will also still get the same 2.4-liter 2GD-FTV turbodiesel with 147 hp and 400 Nm of torque.

Safety has also been improved. The Hilux now gets Toyota Safety Sense. The safety suite equips the vehicle with adaptive cruise control, pre-collision system, and lane departure alert. Vehicle stability assist is also now standard in middle to top-spec variants.

We don’t know yet when the new 2021 Toyota Hilux and its Fortuner sibling will be launched in the Philippines. We hope that all the updates make it here, especially the upgraded infotainment system as that is where the two vehicles really fall short when competing with their rivals. Perhaps we can get more information after the company’s launch of a new model on June 15.

Images from Toyota