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Toyota HiLux Workmate 2026 review: snapshot

EXPERT RATING
7.4

Likes

Noticeable improvement in ride comfort
Gutsy 2.8L turbo-diesel
Better road manners

Dislikes

A $6000 jump to enter into a HiLux
Cramped interior compared to larger and cheaper rivals
Short warranty and service intervals
Byron Mathioudakis

Contributing Journalist

2 min read

The Toyota HiLux Workmate is the entry-level version of the long-lived Japanese ute series.

The news does not start off well, since the deletion of the cheaper 2.7-litre petrol and 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engines have helped entry into the HiLux soar by over $6000.

Three 4x2 models are available, starting from $33,990 (all prices before on-road costs) for the Single Cab-chassis manual, $35,990 for the auto and $47,990 for the Double Cab pick-up auto. Likewise, there are three 4x4 auto models, starting from $45,990 for the Single Cab-chassis, $52,490 for Double Cab-chassis and $53,990 for the Double Cab pick-up.

As the name suggests, this is the workhorse HiLux, so the Workmate features (albeit revised) heavy-duty suspension from the previous range, for superior carrying capability. Across the whole HiLux range, 4x2s have a 2900kg braked towing capacity and 4x4s have a 3500kg braked trailer towing capacity.

Standard equipment in Workmate rises compared to the version it replaces, with LED headlights, electronic instrumentation, USB-C ports, a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, reversing camera, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, sat-nav, 17-inch steel wheels with a full-sized spare tyre, a damped tailgate on pick-up, side-step entry into the tub, connected services for emergency callouts, up to eight airbags where possible including a front-centre airbag, and a host of Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) technologies, such as AEB, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring. But there’s no lockable tailgate.

The 4x4s add a part-time 4WD system with high-and-low ratio off-road gearing and a rear differential lock.

Under the HiLux’s bonnet is a revised version of the (1GD-FTV) 2.8-litre common-rail twin-cam four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit. Replacing the previous 2.4-litre diesel and 2.7-litre petrol choices, it makes 150kW of power, and either 420Nm of torque in the six-speed manual version or 500Nm in the six-speed automatic. The 0-100km/h sprint-time is about 11 seconds while top speed is 176km/h.

Finally, the HiLux Workmate’s official combined-average fuel consumption figures are 7.3 litres per 100km (for a carbon dioxide rating of 192g/km) for the manual and 7.4L/100km for the auto (equalling 194g/km of CO2 emissions). Topping the 80-litre tank with diesel can mean over 1000km between refills.

Read the full 2026 Toyota HiLux review

Toyota Hilux 2026: Workmate

Engine Type
Fuel Type
Fuel Efficiency
Seating 0
Price From $33,990

Pricing Guides

$71,516
Price is based on the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the lowest priced Toyota HiLux 2026 variant.
LOWEST PRICE
$33,990
HIGHEST PRICE
$82,990
Byron Mathioudakis

Contributing Journalist

Byron Mathioudakis connected with cars right from the start. His earliest memory is a dream of him driving an Austin A30. Soon after, Byron fell in love with movies watching Duel (1971) where a Valiant sedan takes on a murderous Peterbilt truck. Meanwhile, at Tottenham Primary, teacher Mr Chitty prised opened his world with Wheels magazines, later leading him to perform a one-person musical about the then-new Ford XD Falcon. Everyone thought he was strange. Eager to keep his car passion separate from work, he graduated from Advertising at RMIT, but wasn’t happy in that industry, so did the ‘90s Gen X thing of back-packing, with stints in hospitality, exploring his love of music working in a record store, tending bar, acting, dancing, modelling and even being a singing telegram, thankfully in faraway Canada. His eventual YouTube debut happened as an extra in a Violetine video of that era, You Know. Anyway, by 28, Byron realised he wanted to write about cars and nothing else, and on the eve of his 30th, landed a job at John Mellor’s Australian Automotive Business, a predecessor to GoAuto, where he still feels he belongs after four decades, breaking through with an unsolicited road test of his mother’s Peugeot 306. Going freelance in 1999, he worked at the long-defunct eauto.com.au (it’s still on Wayback Machine), then picked up a gig at Wheels magazine, citing 11 years of Car of the Year judging as a life-changing employment experience. Among scores of amazing people, it was there he became great friends with Peter Robinson, the editor of that first car magazine he devoured back in ’77. Do meet your heroes. In 2020, Byron started at CarsGuide, where he is a Contributing Journalist to this day. Other regular media outlets he writes for include the RAC WA and Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine. Note: though Byron has many old cars he loves, he has never owned an Austin A30, Valiant, XD Falcon or Peugeot 306. To paraphrase Bjork, to do so may break the charm. You can find Byron on LinkedIn. Education Associate Diploma in Advertising, RMIT | 1987-1990 Awards 2024 Newspress Australia Road Tester of the Year Featured Publications GoAuto | 1997-2022 Wheels | 2009-2021 CarsGuide | 2020-present RAC WA Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$33,990
Lowest price, based on new car retail price.
For more information on
2026 Toyota HiLux
See Pricing & Specs

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