Toyota’s Most Globally Recognized Pickup That We Don’t Get Receives Its Greatest Overhaul Yet

Ready to be seen being driven at the furthest corners of the planet.

Black Toyota Hilux pickup truck tailgate with embossed TOYOTA lettering and 3.5 EV badge.

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Published November 10, 2025

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Updated November 13, 2025

The world’s most popular and indestructible pickup truck just got a major overhaul. After the previous eighth-generation model’s ten-year production run, Toyota unveiled its new ninth-gen Hilux.

While it brings the usual bundle of new looks both inside and out, new tech, powertrains, et al, the new Hilux spearheads Toyota’s latest “multi-pathway” approach. The latter essentially makes this Hilux the first-ever to offer all-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell power.

In addition to conventional internal combustion engines, of course.

Dark gray Toyota Hilux BEV pickup truck angled front-right with sunset gradient background. — The Hilux BEV is the world’s first mass-market all-electric midsize pickup from a major automaker.

On top of being the first Hilux to offer it all, it’s also the first mainstream and affordable all-electric pickup, undercutting all the current full-size EV pickups.

A Hilux of many firsts

Dark gray Toyota Hilux BEV pickup truck shown from rear side against a gradient sunset background. — The Hilux is one of the first new Toyotas featuring the company’s “multi-pathway” propulsion approach.

The concept and production of all-electric pickup trucks isn’t new. Such examples include full-size ones from the Detroit Big Three, like the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra EV, and the Ford F-150 Lightning.

There are also even midsize options. But those are only available in Europe and Asia and come from either obscure Chinese automakers, or smaller manufacturers like Isuzu and its D-MAX EV.

Dark gray Toyota Hilux BEV electric pickup truck charging with orange cable in a studio setting. — Although the Hilux BEV isn’t the first all-electric midsize pickup, it’s the first from a major global automaker.

Some examples include China’s SAIC Maxus T90 EV, the Geely Radar RD6 and the JAC Motors T9EV.

However, what the new Toyota Hilux and its diverse range of powerplants represent is a much bigger statement. Because it’s a Toyota and it’s the world’s most popular pickup, the Hilux, with its electric and fuel-cell powertrains, represents a series of pioneering steps, particularly from a major automaker.

Black Toyota Hilux BEV pickup truck viewed from above with an empty cargo bed and illuminated rear lights. — The Hilux BEV is nearly indistinguishable from the ICE-powered model, which is a great thing.

As such, the new Hilux EV is the first-ever mainstream midsize pickup and it’s the first affordable model of its kind. The same firsts also apply to the hydrogen fuel-cell variant.

And because the new Hilux will still come with conventional internal combustion power, it showcases Toyota’s new “multi-energy approach.” The latter allows automakers to offer customers a choice in powertrains, enabling buyers to choose what works best for them, rather than forcing them into adopting one specific powertrain type.

Despite not being for the US, the Hilux’s impact on the rest of the world raises the bar on what’s possible.

Setting the stage for America’s incoming electric Tacoma

As the world’s first-ever all-electric Hilux, it boasts some impressive specs. Which is needed for what many regard as one of history’s toughest, most resilient pickups ever made.

White Toyota Hilux TRAVO-e pickup truck driving on a highway under a bridge. — Although America gets the Tacoma, the rest of the world gets the Hilux, which is the world’s best-selling midsize pickup.

It also sets the stage for the anticipated all-electric Tacoma, the Hilux’s American cousin.

A 59.2 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery powers two electric motors — one at each axle. With a total system output of around 350 pound-feet of torque, the Hilux EV can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Though overall driving range is still rather limited at just under 150 miles.

Interior of a Toyota vehicle featuring a black steering wheel with controls, digital dashboard, and a central touchscreen displaying a navigation map. — There aren’t any radical changes for the Hilux BEV’s interior, and that’s what most people want.

Despite the limited driving range, Toyota says it’s aiming to launch the Hilux EV with a new charging system to help eliminate downtime.

For those who need more flexibility, the new Hilux also features ‘Yota’s latest 48-volt diesel-electric hybrid powertrain. Paired with the company’s 2.8-liter turbocharged inline four, the Hilux diesel hybrid can tow up to over 7,700 pounds.

Gold Toyota Hilux pickup truck rear three-quarter view on a white background. — The Hilux is Toyota’s first midsize pickup to receive the company’s revered hybrid system.

And for select European markets, Toyota will be offering its fuel-cell propulsion system in the Hilux for the first time. But specifics were withheld as the model isn’t slated to launch until 2028.

Not for US, but the tech could be, eventually

Even though the Hilux isn’t for our shores, its plethora of powertrains previews the sort of possibilities that could trickle down to the US market. Additionally, the Tacoma is basically a Hilux, but restyled, rebadged, and reengineered specifically for the North American market.

Golden yellow Toyota Hilux Invincible pickup truck with black accents and wheels on a white background.

Despite the Japanese auto giant openly expressing its skepticism towards an all-electric future, the company is still looking to get a piece of that pie. We already know Toyota’s working on an electric Tacoma, and it also remains committed to hydrogen fuel-cell technology.

Because the Hilux is the bar to which others are held, at least, in the realm of midsize pickups, if it’s good enough to work in the furthest and most desolate corners of the planet, its tech should be perfectly okay for North American shores.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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