Toyota HiLux vs Fiat Scudo

What's the difference?

The ninth-generation Toyota HiLux is not really a new HiLux in the true sense of the word, but there’s enough going on with it to have generated plenty of excitement in the ute-loving public.

This ‘new’ HiLux, in essence, is an update but it’s an update with substance: the HiLux now sports a new retro design, new interior layout, new suspension tune (softer rated springs and dampers for improved on-road comfort) – and it even has an electric park brake now.

So, with no major mechanical upgrades, is this HiLux enough of an improvement over past iterations to warrant your attention?

About a decade has passed since the Fiat Scudo mid-size (2.5-3.5 tonne GVM) van was last sold in Australia, when it shared its underpinnings with the Peugeot Expert before Fiat-Chrysler and PSA (Peugeot-Citroën) merged to become the giant Stellantis group in 2021.

In 2026 the Scudo (which means ‘shield’ in Italian) has returned under the Fiat Professional Australia banner as the Series 3 or third-generation, again sharing its underpinnings and core styling with the Peugeot Expert but now based on the latest Stellantis 'EMP2' platform.

We recently spent a working week aboard Fiat’s new commercial offering to see how it measures up from a tradie’s perspective in this popular van segment.