Next-gen Toyota Hilux teased ahead of July 28 debut

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) will unveil its next-gen pickup truck later this month. The new Toyota Hilux will make its grand debut on July 28. The automaker has dropped the first teaser for the new model, giving a glimpse of its exterior design. Apart from the cosmetic upgrades, the 9th-gen Hilux will get some new features, but will remain unchanged under the hood.

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9th-gen Toyota Hilux: What does the teaser suggest?

The first teaser for the upcoming Toyota Hilux shows the pickup truck wading through water and crossing rough terrain. A closer look reveals a honeycomb pattern for the front grille and a silver skid plate. The LED headlamps are connected by a smooth trim with ‘TOYOTA’ lettering on top of it. Along the sides, the new Hilux gets black rims and wheel arches. There are roll bars behind the main cabin and a shark-fin antenna mounted on the roof. The teaser doesn’t reveal any details about the rear section. The international-spec model gets an integrated step on the bumper and ‘TOYOTA’ lettering on the tailgate.

The 8th-gen Toyota Hilux will retain the Double Cab layout of the current-gen model. This means it will get two full rows of seats and four doors. Toyota may introduce a new colour theme for the cabin and upholstery. While the teaser does not give a glimpse of the interior, we expect the pickup truck to get dual 12.3-inch displays for the central touchscreen infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. The driver’s display will have four customisable design themes. The infotainment system will support the Toyota Smart Connect System.

Other features like wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, a surround view camera, and wireless charging will also make the cut. The leather-wrapped steering wheel will get plenty of physical controls. The cabin will have several storage compartments. There will be buttons and switchgear for the HVAC system, ADAS configuration, and other functions.

On the safety front, the 2026 Hilux will get 7 SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) & Traction Control (TC), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Automatic Hill Assist Control (HAC) & Downhill Assist Control (DAC), Automatic Limited Slip Differential (ALSD), front parking sensors, and more features.

No changes will be made under the hood of the upcoming Toyota Hilux. It will continue to be powered by the 2.8-litre diesel engine. This engine produces a maximum power output of 204Nm. It can be mated to a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. The former produces 420Nm of torque, while the latter puts out 500Nm. It remains to be seen whether the India-spec model will get a 48V mild-hybrid system, like its international counterpart.

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Final Thoughts

Prices for the current-gen Toyota Hilux start at Rs 28.52 lakh and go up to Rs 36 lakh. The next-gen model will demand a small premium over these prices. It will continue to rival the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross in India.