Tag Archives: Toyota

NEW CARS

Toyota Electrifies the Hilux While Keeping Its Work-Truck Roots

The Toyota Hilux has survived just about everything short of atmospheric reentry. It’s slogged through floods, clawed its way out of mud pits, and famously endured being dropped from a Top Gear crane—though, notably, not from a helicopter. Now Toyota is testing the Hilux with a far more existential challenge: staying relevant in a future where diesel is no longer king.

At this week’s Brussels Motor Show, Toyota unveiled the Euro-spec ninth-generation Hilux in two new flavors: a mild-hybrid diesel and the first-ever fully electric Hilux BEV. Both trucks debuted earlier in Asia, but their arrival in Europe signals something bigger. This isn’t just an update—it’s Toyota hedging its bets.

One Truck, Many Futures

Toyota calls it a “multipath strategy,” which is corporate shorthand for “we’re not betting everything on one powertrain.” And for many Hilux buyers, that means business as usual. The familiar 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel lives on, now paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Output remains 201 horsepower (204 PS), and the truck retains its crucial stats: a 2,205-pound payload and a 7,720-pound tow rating.

In the UK and most of Europe, Toyota expects this mild-hybrid diesel to be the volume seller—even after the EV arrives. It’s smoother and slightly cleaner than before, but more importantly, it doesn’t ask loyal Hilux owners to rethink how they work.

Some markets will even get a non-hybrid diesel, proving that Toyota still understands where the Hilux earns its living.

The Electric Hilux: Tough, but Compromised

The real headline, of course, is the Hilux BEV. Powered by a 59.2-kWh battery and dual motors—one on each axle—it delivers permanent all-wheel drive and instant electric torque. The front motor produces 151 lb-ft of torque, while the rear contributes 198 lb-ft.

Range is quoted at 160 miles on the WLTP cycle, which sounds underwhelming until you realize this is a ladder-frame pickup, not a sleek crossover. In urban use, Toyota claims up to 236 miles, which makes the BEV Hilux plausible for city-based fleets and short-haul work.

There are trade-offs. Payload drops to 1,580 pounds, and towing capacity falls sharply to 3,530 pounds. That’s a big hit for traditional truck buyers, but Toyota is clearly aiming the electric Hilux at businesses focused on emissions, taxes, and running costs—not livestock trailers.

Crucially, the fundamentals remain intact. The BEV keeps the body-on-frame construction, 8.4 inches of ground clearance, and a genuinely impressive 27.6 inches of wading depth. There’s even a dedicated off-road drive mode tuned specifically for electric torque delivery and regenerative braking.

Not Just Electric—Hydrogen Is Coming Too

If that weren’t enough, Toyota has also confirmed that a hydrogen fuel-cell Hilux is in development—and already being tested publicly. Yes, the same truck once known for hauling bricks and sheep may soon carry a fuel-cell stack. Whether hydrogen pickups make sense at scale is still an open question, but Toyota clearly intends the Hilux to outlast whatever powertrain trends come and go.

Cyber Sumo Styling and a Modern Cabin

Both the mild-hybrid and BEV versions wear Toyota’s new “Cyber Sumo” design, reportedly developed by the brand’s Australian team. It’s more angular, flatter, and bolder than before, giving the Hilux a tougher, more modern presence—though not everyone will love the look.

The EV stands out with a blanked-off grille and a subtly redesigned silver bumper insert, but otherwise the two trucks are visually similar.

Inside the crew-cab-only cabin, the Hilux finally catches up to modern expectations. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster sits alongside a matching touchscreen, and the steering wheel comes straight from the new Land Cruiser. There’s smart storage, dashboard-mounted cupholders, and a full suite of safety tech—balanced, refreshingly, by plenty of physical buttons for things you actually use while wearing gloves.

When Can You Buy One?

UK sales begin in June, with prices expected to land in the coming months. Toyota has already hinted they’ll be higher than the outgoing model, which should surprise exactly no one.

Still, the bigger story isn’t the price—it’s longevity. By offering diesel, mild-hybrid, battery-electric, and eventually hydrogen power, Toyota is making sure the Hilux doesn’t just survive the electric transition. It adapts.

And if history tells us anything, betting against a Hilux is rarely a smart move.

Source: Toyota

Restomod

Toyota Restomods the Land Cruiser Prado

The Land Cruiser badge still means something inside Toyota, even now that the U.S. has moved on to the new 250 Series. But Toyota isn’t ready to let the old iron fade quietly into the classifieds. Instead, it’s giving the previous-generation 150 Series—sold stateside for years as the Lexus GX—a factory-backed glow-up that feels part restoration, part restomod, and part philosophical exercise.

Dubbed Newscape, the update targets the long-running Land Cruiser Prado built between 2009 and 2023. Though production has ended, Toyota is offering a comprehensive facelift that touches both the exterior and interior, effectively giving the old SUV a second act. In some configurations, it even looks tougher than it ever did when new.

The idea debuted as a concept at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, but enthusiasm apparently convinced Toyota to put it into production. The Prado Newscape is set to make a return appearance at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon—this time with a price tag and an order sheet.

The project was developed by Toyota’s Conic Pro division in collaboration with an unlikely group of partners: The North Face, biotech firm Spiber, and Toyota’s own Corde by brand, which specializes in customizing used vehicles. The broader goal is sustainability—extending the life of older vehicles through factory-approved updates rather than pushing customers straight into new ones.

Buyers get two visual flavors. The Graphite Gray version leans into the overlanding aesthetic, with matte-black bumpers, bolt-on fender extensions, and Mango Orange accents highlighting the fog lights and rear tow hook. The Meld Grey alternative dials things back with body-colored bumpers, black trim, and Saffron Yellow detailing. Both versions come standard with a roof rack, rear ladder, mud flaps, and a fuel door stamped with The North Face logo—because collaborations demand visibility.

Seventeen-inch matte-black alloys and 265/65R17 all-terrain tires are standard across the board, giving the Prado a properly rugged stance. It’s not a mechanical overhaul, but it doesn’t pretend to be one.

Inside, the updates are subtler but more interesting. The seats are reupholstered in Brewed Protein fiber, an eco-focused material developed by Spiber, and wear The North Face branding. New Toyota floor mats round out the cabin changes, reinforcing the idea that this is a refresh, not a reinvention.

The Newscape kit goes on sale in Japan on March 7, 2026, but compatibility is limited. It’s only offered for TX-grade Prado 150 models built between September 2017 and April 2024, and only if they left the factory with black fabric seats. Gasoline and diesel engines are both supported.

Pricing starts at ¥3.96 million (about $25,300) for Graphite Gray and ¥3.85 million ($24,600) for Meld Grey, plus another ¥150,000 ($960) in miscellaneous costs. Add the roughly ¥4 million ($25,600) required to buy a used Prado in the first place, and you’re staring at a total near ¥8 million ($51,200).

That’s a tough sell when a brand-new Land Cruiser 250 starts at ¥5.2 million ($33,300) in Japan—and even the larger, more advanced Land Cruiser 300 undercuts the Newscape build on price.

Which raises an awkward question. If sustainability is the mission, does it make sense to spend more money refurbishing an older SUV than buying a new one outright? Toyota seems to think the answer is yes—at least for buyers who value preservation over progress, or who simply want to keep a familiar, well-proven Land Cruiser alive a little longer.

In that light, the Prado Newscape isn’t about logic. It’s about loyalty—and Toyota is betting that still counts for something.

Source: Toyota Conic Pro

News

Toyota Tacoma and Tundra Roll into 2026 with Smart Refinements, Not Reinvention

Toyota isn’t reinventing its trucks for 2026—and that’s very much the point. With the Tacoma freshly redesigned and the Tundra still feeling modern, this year’s updates focus on polishing the edges: more standard equipment, smarter packaging, and just enough visual flair to keep things interesting. Think evolution, not overhaul.

2026 Toyota Tacoma: Small Tweaks, Real Benefits

The Tacoma lineup gets a series of targeted improvements that quietly improve day-to-day usability. Base SR XtraCab models now come standard with a tow hitch, a small but meaningful upgrade that boosts capability without forcing buyers into higher trims.

Mid-range trims—TRD Off-Road, TRD Sport, and TRD Pre-Runner—pick up a blacked-out front Toyota logo, a subtle styling move that aligns them more closely with the brand’s off-road aesthetic. Opt for the TRD Off-Road i-FORCE Premium package and you’ll now get 18-inch TRD wheels wrapped in 32-inch Goodyear all-terrain tires, adding both visual muscle and real trail credibility.

Toyota also adds a Heritage Blue paint option, a nod to the brand’s off-road past that feels right at home on the Tacoma’s squared-off, modern shape.

Tacoma TRD Pro and Trailhunter: Hold the Line

The Tacoma TRD Pro carries over mechanically unchanged for 2026, but it does gain a new model-exclusive Wave Maker exterior color. It’s a bold shade that reinforces the Pro’s position as the halo off-roader, building on the suspension tuning and trail-focused tech introduced with the Tacoma’s full redesign.

Meanwhile, the Trailhunter overland model continues without changes. Introduced alongside the 2024 redesign, it retains last year’s additions, including red-painted tow hooks and an extra prewired auxiliary switch—features that overland enthusiasts will appreciate even if they don’t make headlines.

2026 Toyota Tundra: Comfort, Capability, and Fewer Asterisks

The Tundra sees broader changes, with Toyota focusing on comfort upgrades and standardizing features that previously required trim-level gymnastics.

Inside, the luxury-focused Capstone now features Shale Premium textured leather seats, while Limited trims switch to new black or gray leather upholstery with contrast stitching. Double Cab models gain rear air vents integrated into the center console, and trucks with single-zone climate control adopt Toyota’s SmartFlow system for improved airflow management.

The most impactful upgrade may be the new standard 32.2-gallon fuel tank across nearly the entire lineup. Previously limited to higher trims, the larger tank replaces the old 22.5-gallon unit on SR and SR5 models, dramatically improving driving range—especially for tow-duty owners. Every Tundra now also includes a tow hitch with a 7/4-pin connector, even at the base SR level.

Toyota expands the options list as well. Power running boards are now available on Platinum and 1794 models equipped with the TRD Off-Road package. The SX package steps up to 20-inch wheels, and the TRD Rally package grows more serious with optional availability of the TRD 3-inch lift kit and Tow Tech package.

Tundra TRD Pro: More Comfort, Same Attitude

The Tundra TRD Pro gains ISO Dynamic Seats for 2026—similar to those found in the Tacoma TRD Pro—designed to improve comfort and stability during aggressive off-road driving. It’s a rare example of genuinely functional off-road seating rather than a cosmetic upgrade.

The TRD Pro also benefits from the now-standard 32.2-gallon fuel tank and adds the Wave Maker blue paint color to its palette, reinforcing its status as the most expressive version of Toyota’s full-size pickup.

The Big Picture

Toyota’s 2026 truck updates won’t steal headlines with horsepower wars or radical redesigns—but they don’t need to. By refining trims, standardizing key features, and addressing real-world usability, the Tacoma and Tundra continue to strengthen their case as some of the most thoughtfully engineered pickups on the market. Sometimes, getting better is more impressive than getting louder.

Source: MotorTrend