2016 Toyota HiLux | spy shots

The eighth-generation of Toyota’s top-selling HiLux has been spotted undergoing evaluation in Victoria, with two lightly-disguised mules giving us our first taste of how the new model will look.

Not expected on sale until 2016, eagle-eyed Carsguide reader Colin Ozzie Wiese snapped the two prototypes parked in Ballarat, and appear to represent entry grade 2WD and high-riding 4WD dual-cab models.

The lower 2WD model is wearing ‘Caution Left Hand Drive’ signage on the rear, suggesting that the mules’ presence is part of the new HiLux’s global evaluation. 

The HiLux prototypes appear to be wearing production head and taillights, with the 4WD mule wearing what looks to be a Toyota Genuine Accessories bullbar with added driving lights.

The frontal styling of the new model looks to follow the muscular detailing of the new Kluger SUV, while also referencing the full-size Tundra truck sold in the US.

A deeper rear window can be seen, and the new model looks to continue with the current model’s slanted tailgate design, with the upright taillights featuring similar blocky detailing to the current Prado SUV.

The taillights also appear to wrap around to the bodyside more than previous models, following a similar but inverted approach to the current Mazda BT-50.

The two mules are pictured alongside a current-model SR5 4WD dual cab and Ford Ranger XTR dual cab, with the two production models likely being used by engineers as a benchmark for the new model.

The current seventh-generation model was the third best-selling car on the Australian market in 2013, despite being on sale locally since early 2005, and continues to outsell the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara at the top end of the light commercial ute segment in 2014.