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Fresh reports point to worrying signs for the Toyota HiLux, with the latest coverage suggesting a new model won't arrive until 2026 – and that when it does, that it will be a revised, rather than all-new, model.
That is challenging news for the HiLux, which has already surrender its number-one position to the Ford Ranger. If accurate, it would mean Toyota will soldier on with its ute even as new models like the Kia Tasman, BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger PHEV chip away at sales.
The latest news comes from Brazil's Autoesporte, which quotes official Toyota documents it claims to have sighted that report the new ute will soldier on with diesel (presumably the mild-hybrid version of Toyota's venerable 2.8-litre turbodiesel) and that production is now scheduled for Thailand (for Australian vehicles) as well as South America and South Africa.
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The new HiLux project code is 640X, according to the reports, and the launch forecast is for 2026.
The ute world will be a very different place by the time the new HiLux finally arrives, if the reports prove accurate.
The model's core rival, the Ford Ranger, continues to innovate, with a plug-in hybrid model scheduled for launch in 2025. Some of that model is still shrouded in mystery, but we do know that it will pair a 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol motor, an electric motor and a 11.8kWh battery.
It will deliver a 45km all-EV driving range, and will still tow 3.5 tonnes.
“We ensured our first PHEV pickup in Australia and New Zealand would be a hugely capable tool for work and off-roading, as well as a smart vehicle with the tech, connectivity and EV-only capability for family life,” said Ford Australia boss, Andrew Birkic.
The other ute stealing headlines at the moment is the BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid. It pairs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol(135kW and 260Nm) with a 170kW/310Nm front electric motor, and a second, 150kW/340Nm rear electric motor.
Payload is only 750kgs, while towing is a braked 2500kg, but that hasn't appeared to dent enthusiasm for the new ute, with BYD already holding more than 2000 orders – a number that has executives forecasting big things.
“We knew the market was wanting a vehicle of this calibre but to see so many orders so quickly has taken us by surprise. What gives me even more confidence that the Shark 6 will end up being the number one vehicle sold in Australia is that we haven’t even started test drives,” said local boss Luke Todd.
Finally, the Kia Tasman wants to upset the dual-cab apple cart, albeit in a more familiar fashion, with the Korean brand targeting up to 25,000 annual sales of its first ute.
Its 2.2-litre diesel produces 154kW and 441Nm, but that's enough to secure a 3.5-tonne towing capacity, a tone-plus payload, and the Tasman features an interior fit and finish that wouldn't feel out of place in a upscale SUV.
Toyota, meanwhile, appears destined to soldier on with its HiLux for as long as two years. Will it be able to maintain its popularity in the face of newer, flashier rivals? Only time will tell.
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