Once again, the updated Japanese pickup truck has been announced only for Australia, but probably the new front end design of the Hilux will soon appear in other markets.
The current eighth generation of the Toyota Hilux pickup truck has been produced since 2015 — this is a truly global model, but its main production base is the Toyota plant in Thailand, while Australia is one of the key markets .
Mid-size pickups traditionally top the rankings of the best-selling new cars in Australia: last year, the Ford Ranger pickup took first place (63,356 units sold, up 33.4% on 2022), while the Toyota Hilux fell into second place ( 61,111 units, -5.1%). Until 2023, the Hilux remained the best-seller in the Australian market for seven years in a row. Third place in the ranking at the end of 2023 went to the Isuzu D-Max pickup truck (31,202 units, +28.2%).
Updated Toyota Hilux
The Hilux underwent its previous comprehensive update, which affected design and technology, in 2020. Last December, the version of the pickup truck for Europe acquired a mild-hybrid add-on, and today the same add-on was announced for the Australian Hilux along with a new front end design: the front bumper has become more muscular, the radiator grille now has no silver edging, and its upper section has received a honeycomb pattern.
An updated front end design has been announced for the most popular versions of the Workmate, SR and SR5, while the expensive and decorative versions of the Rogue and GR Sport are likely to retain the same appearance. Announced interior upgrades include wireless smartphone charging in the front of the cabin and two USB-C ports for rear passengers on versions with a two-row, four-door cab. The tailgate is now equipped with gas shock absorbers.
Pre-reform Toyota Hilux SR5 for Australia 1/3 
Pre-reform Toyota Hilux SR5 for Australia 2/3 
Pre-reform Toyota Hilux SR5 for Australia 3/3
A mild hybrid add-on in the form of a 48-volt starter-generator, which assists the internal combustion engine when starting from a standstill and intense acceleration, comes in combination with a 2.8-liter turbodiesel (204 hp, 500 Nm), 6-speed automatic transmission and full and drive, and only on versions of the SR, SR5 and Rogue with a two-row four-door cab, since space for the backup battery is only provided under the rear seat. Included with the mild-hybrid add-on is the proprietary Multi-Terrain Select system, which optimizes the pickup's driving character for different types of soil — six different modes are available.
Other engines remained in service — this is a 2.7-liter gasoline “aspirated” (166 hp, 245 Nm), 2.4-liter turbodiesel (150 hp, 400 Nm) and a more powerful version of the 2.8-liter turbodiesel (224 hp, 550 Nm ) for the GR Sport version.
Various versions of the pre-reform Toyota Hilux for Australia 1/3 
Various versions of the pre-reform Toyota Hilux for Australia 3/3
Sales of the updated Toyota Hilux in Australia will begin in March, prices have increased slightly compared to pre-reform cars and range from 26,475 to 74,310 Australian dollars (from 1.56 million to 4.37 million rubles translated at the current exchange rate).
According to the Australian Drive magazine, next year the Hilux will enter its ninth generation and become related to the fourth-generation American Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, that is, it will become larger, more expensive and more solid. The Hilux Champ pickup truck is now responsible for the workhorse segment at Toyota.