The ninth-gen Toyota Hilux goes electric with a first body-on-frame BEV

Toyota has introduced the ninth‑generation Hilux, and with it the most significant evolution in the pickup’s 55‑year history: the model’s first battery‑electric variant. Arriving alongside a new 48V mild‑hybrid diesel and with a hydrogen fuel‑cell version confirmed for 2028, the latest Hilux range is offered exclusively in Double Cab form and marks Toyota’s first application of BEV technology in a body‑on‑frame vehicle.

The Hilux BEV pairs front and rear eAxles, producing 80kW and 128kW, powered by a 59.2 kWh water‑cooled lithium‑ion battery integrated into the frame. WLTP combined range is rated at 257 km, extending to 380km on the city cycle. Toyota quotes a 30‑minute 10–80% recharge time when using 125 kW DC fast charging or higher, while a full AC wallbox charge takes roughly 6.5 hours. Payload capacity stands at 710–715 kg, with towing rated at 1600 kg.

Off‑road capability remains central to the Hilux identity, and Toyota has engineered the BEV to match the diesel variants where it matters most. Ground clearance is 212 mm, wading depth reaches 700 mm, approach angle is 29°, and wheel articulation measures 500 mm. The model also debuts Multi‑Terrain Select on a Toyota BEV for the first time, offering rock, sand, mud, dirt and a new mogul mode tailored to electric torque delivery, plus an automatic setting for mixed surfaces.

Inside, the ninth‑generation Hilux adopts a more premium, Land Cruiser‑inspired layout. A 12.3‑inch central display is standard, while higher trims add a 12.3‑inch digital driver’s combimeter. The redesigned centre console consolidates all 4WD controls into a single, more ergonomic cluster. Electric power steering appears for the first time on a European‑market Hilux, enabling advanced driver‑assistance features such as Lane Tracing Assist and Emergency Steering Assist. Toyota Safety Sense (third generation) is standard across the lineup.

Ownership support is equally comprehensive. Toyota’s Relax warranty covers the vehicle for up to ten years or 185,000 km, while BEV customers benefit from a dedicated Battery Care Programme guaranteeing at least 70% of original battery capacity for up to ten years or one million kilometres, provided annual health checks are completed at an authorised Toyota centre.

The Hilux BEV is arguably Toyota’s most consequential electric announcement in years – not because of headline range or power figures, but because it proves that a battery‑electric powertrain can be engineered into a rugged, body‑on‑frame pickup without compromising the core attributes that define the segment. Matching the diesel model’s wading depth and approach angles is a milestone for electric commercial vehicles, especially in a market where many operators remain sceptical about electrification’s suitability for demanding, off‑road‑heavy work cycles.

Toyota is candid about the BEV’s intended use case. With a 257 km WLTP range and a 1600 kg towing limit – less than half that of the mild‑hybrid diesel – the electric Hilux is positioned for forestry crews, infrastructure contractors and site‑based businesses whose vehicles return to a single location daily. Rather than overselling capability, Toyota frames the BEV as a realistic, purpose‑built solution for operations where predictable routes and overnight charging align with the strengths of electric power.

Since its launch in 1968, the Toyota Hilux has become synonymous with durability, reliability and go‑anywhere toughness. Toyota’s engineering approach to the Hilux has always prioritised functional robustness, long‑term dependability and real‑world usability, and that philosophy continues into the electric era. Even as the powertrain evolves, the core promise of a Hilux – a vehicle built to work, endure and deliver consistent performance over decades – remains firmly intact.

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