Back in 2004, Toyota debuted its ‘Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle’ platform (or IMV for short), which spawned the 7th generation Hilux and the 1st generation of the Fortuner and Innova. As for the Hilux, it moved on to the 8th generation in 2015 and we now have this, the new 9th generation model, still underpinned by the IMV platform, albeit with major modifications and updates.
2026 Toyota Hilux Exterior Design and Engineering – 7/10
IMV platform sees massive update; front styling goes all angular
As with its predecessors the ladder-frame construction remains, but plate thickness in the frame side rails has been increased to enhance rigidity and better resist torsional forces. The body too has seen an increase in rigidity with the floor featuring an additional 36 spot welds, this also helps decrease vibrations.
Interestingly, the platform is now fully electrified. Impressive given that installing a battery pack with a ladder frame is tricky given the narrower – than the body – width and the presence of cross members too. It shows, the all-electric Hilux features a rather modest 59.2kWh battery pack, it’s unlikely to make its way here though.
Other changes to the platform include a switch from hydraulic to an all-electric power steering system and spring and damper tweaks to improve ride comfort. As with the previous two generations, wheelbase remains the same at 3,085mm and the length is identical to its predecessor at just over 5.3 meters.
Front styling sees the biggest difference from the earlier car, its now all very edgy and sharp. Cyber-Sumo is how Toyota describes it, a cyborg Sumo wrestler if you will. The headlights feature sharp DRLs, are much slimmer and flow into a black panel emblazoned with the Toyota lettering. Below is a honeycomb grille flanked by triangular stylistic insets and the lower end of the bumper carries on with the angular treatment with sharp cuts to define its shape.
The side however is more curved with the doors gently profiled and resembling the previous car, the cladding however is a bit angular and runs the length of the car. At the rear end there is now a side step to make loading and unloading cargo easier. Rear taillights are sharply outlined and flow more into the side profile and of course, the rear sees the now iconic large Toyota lettering across the tailgate, which has a damped release.
2026 Toyota Hilux Interior Space and Comfort – 7/10
Adequate cabin space, but not what you might expect given the overall size.
Like the front-end styling, the new dashboard sees a big departure is styling too, very retro-modern with straight lines and chunky elements, similar to the Land Cruiser Prado. It houses rectangular AC vents and a pop-up center touchscreen with chamfered lower edges. The steering wheel looks like a straight lift from the Prado with the same three spoke design, rectangular center boss and chunky rectangular buttons.
The 8th gen Hilux received a larger interior cabin volume and this cabin carries over to the new 9th gen car, space inside is thus decent but going by the large vehicle footprint you’d be forgiven if you expected more. At the rear, legroom is adequate even with a taller adult seated front, the seat backrest is still upright when seen against regular SUV but the seats themselves have been reprofiled and that makes it feel just a bit more reclined than before. Headroom is good and seating three adults at the rear is possible but will feel sung. At the front, the seats feel nice and supportive and are well profiled with prominent side bolstering that should suit a wide body frame well. They are also upholstered in a fabric that feels nice to the touch.
The load bed is large enough for stuff like camping gear but it’s quite high off the ground so you’ll have to haul stuff in and out. The bumper has an integrated step at the rear and on either side as well, to make this easier. Toyota has not yet disclosed payload capacity but expect it to remain the same as before at 470kgs.
2026 Toyota Hilux Features and Safety – 7/10
High on safety kit, but many comfort and convenience features missing
The new Hilux comes in three grades with the top spec car featuring kit like a 360-degree camera view – though resolution is poor – an 8-inch digital instrument panel and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen with wireless phone connectivity. The native OS styling appears quite outdated but the screen resolution is good. There’s a wireless phone charging slot but quite deep and retrieving you phone needs slim hands.
Besides these and basic bits like power windows and ORVMs, there’s not much else on the new Hilux. Features like auto HVAC, powered or ventilated seats, rear defogger are all missing even at the top spec car.
Safety kit is good, with 7 airbags standard on all variants as is also ESP, a tyre pressure monitoring system however is only present on the top variant. As for a crash rating the new Hilux does not come with a Bharat or Global NCAP rating but the Australia spec scores 5-stars under the ANCAP protocol.
2026 Toyota Hilux Performance and Refinement – 9/10
Good pulling power with a very refined engine and a vibe free interior
The new Hilux carries on with the same 2.8 liter 4-cylinder diesel. It makes an identical 204 hp and 500Nm of torque. A 6-speed torque convertor automatic is now the only gearbox option and for the first time Toyota India is offering the Hilux with a 4X2 drivetrain too.
There are three drive modes – Eco, Normal and Sport, all feel quite useable. Performance is strong and even when pushed hard it never feels like its out of breath. There’s a good amount of power to be had low down in the rev range and through a forest trail with stones and muck it was easy modulating power to keep momentum.
Shifts are expectedly smooth from the 6-speed autobox and in Sport mode the downshifts are quick enough both when left to its own system or via inputs from the gear lever.
At high revs the engine does get vocal, but for what is a workhorse its quite acceptable. In fact, at every day motoring speeds sound levels are low and refinement is excellent, with minimal to no vibrations around the cabin. Toyota says they have worked on improving this aspect with both hydraulic and shear type engine mounts, a stiffened body frame and better cabin insulation.
2026 Toyota Hilux Mileage and Efficiency – 8/10
With a kerb weight of over two tonnes, expect single digit real world efficiency figures
Toyota have yet to disclose ARAI rated fuel efficiency figures but given the carry over powertrain expect a similar figure of around 12kpl on the standard test cycle. In real world usage figures will hover in the single digit zone and only relaxed highway cruising would see you get double digits.
2026 Toyota Hilux Ride Comfort and Handling – 7/10
Comfy and unfazed over the big stuff but skittish and firm on smaller ruts and bumps
Suspension architecture carries over with an independent double wishbone coil spring setup at the front and a rigid axle with leaf springs at the rear. Toyota says they have reworked it to bring in a bit more comfort, it’s hard to say in isolation and perhaps a back-to-back drive would indicate this. On its own, it can soak up the tough bits like large rocks and deep potholes, sharp edges too are well smoothened. Through a forest trail strewn with loose rocks it felt confident and sure footed. Much of the trail was manageable in 4X2 mode, but some bits required 4X4 which was all too easy for the Hilux. There’s also a 4-Low ratio as well as terrain modes that help traction over loose surfaces.
Where is gets unsettled is over the smaller ruts and bumps that really shake up the cabin. The main reason here is the rigid rear-axle which with the load bed empty simply skips over these imperfections resulting in a skittish and bouncy ride. Rear passengers in particular will feel this more. A weighed down rear will improve things but will not bring this to passenger SUV comfort levels.
As for handling, high-speed stability is good but you know it’s a heavy car and you can feel its weight through corners. The switch to electric power steering hasn’t changed effort which remains heavy at low speeds, and with the cars massive length it feels quite ponderous.
2026 Toyota Hilux Value for Money – 7/10
4X2 makes it affordable than before, but there’s lots of features missing
Toyota has launched the new Hilux with the top variant priced the same as before; Rs 36.69 lakh ex-showroom India while the entry 4X2 variant starts lower than any previous variant coming in at Rs 31.99 lakh ex-showroom. But in doing so there’s a lot of features missing even going by its predecessors list. Its appeal then depends on which aspect of its ‘lifestyle pickup’ description you value more.
It’s sharp styling and sheer size give it that lifestyle vehicle presence, however inside it feels utilitarian, the cabin isn’t premium with regards to materials and its very under equipped. The heavy steering and bouncy ride also mean a workhorse like experience rather than luxury SUV.
But that workhorse bit is exactly where the Toyota Hilux excels. The load bed is handy and can haul odd bits of gear, the engine it torquey and powerful and what’s nice is that its refined too. The 4X4 system is very capable and it’s got tough bones that will outlast pretty much anything you can throw at it. If a luxury SUV is what you’re after, you’ll be better off elsewhere, but if you’re looking for a rough and tough, go anywhere, do anything, outdoors kind of vehicle that looks the part and plays it too, then in all probability your search will end right here.
