Toyota Hilux

The thought of driving a Toyota Hilux pickup might sound unreasonable to a majority of car buyers in India, and rightly so. It is massive in size and not particularly budget-friendly. For something that costs as much as a luxury 7-seater, it does not offer an equally luxurious cabin experience either. Still, people vouch for the Hilux worldwide, and it is certainly a dream machine for many in India. Toyota has recently poked the Hilux itch among fans with the launch of the 2026 version. It now gets an all-new design, cabin, and a lower starting price than before. We test-drive the new Hilux and here's what makes it even more irresistible than before.

If you thought the earlier version of the Hilux looked butch, then the sharper look of the new Hilux might look polarising in pictures. In the real world, that impression quickly changes as the new cyber sumo design gives the Hilux a much more menacing appearance than earlier.

It now has a taller bonnet line, its hood gets muscular bulges, and slim projector LED headlamps add a dose of bling with the DRLs. The Toyota legacy badging sits proudly in the centre, as we have seen on the Land Cruiser. The lower part of the bumper gets angular shapes, a pair of LED foglamps, and overall the pickup looks the part. If I saw that face in my rearview mirror, I would surely get out of the way.

From the side profile, you can see similarities to the earlier version. This is because the Hilux is still the same car underneath, based on the proven IMV platform. The cabin is the same in shape and size. However, the new rugged design for the 17-inch alloy wheels looks really good. Interestingly, there is no chrome badging on the Hilux; it now gets piano-black badges.

The tail-end also gets new LED taillamps. The design looks more modern but still carries heft like the older ones. Toyota has used halogen bulbs for the indicator and reverse lamps, which looked out of place. For easier access to the loading area, the new Hilux now has a side step built into the rear bumper, below the fenders. This also made stepping onto the tailgate a lot easier than before. The loading bed has a cargo capacity of 500 kg, making it suitable for a variety of adventure requirements.

Just like the outside, Toyota has also overhauled the cabin of the new Hilux. It now features a minimalistic and sharp design. The dashboard looks almost tactile, finished in black. At the centre, you have a high-resolution 12.3-inch touchscreen; no complaints here. The 7-inch driver information display is decent, but the new steering wheel unit will make Toyota fans drool. The steering wheel is again a detail that looks inspired by the new Land Cruiser. It gets the Toyota legacy badging, chunky control panels, and a three-spoke design.

The updated centre console brings all the advanced 4x4 tech to your fingertips. There are dedicated buttons and dials for the Multi-Terrain Select, 4-wheel-drive system, limited-slip differential and more. It looks and feels like a command centre, giving the cabin a purposeful vibe.

However, this is where some odd details start standing out about the new Hilux. Unlike the earlier version, the new Hilux does not get leatherette seats, a powered driver seat, automatic climate control or rear AC vents. Even if you are not familiar with the Hilux, the absence of these basic features is most likely to stand out at the price point. Nevertheless, the front seats offer ample support and the rear seats are still upright, have less under-thigh support and are best for only two adults at a time.

With the basics out of the way, let's get to the crux of a Toyota Hilux: driving it off-road. During our drive, we tested the pickup on state highways and off-road mountain trails before pushing its limits over nine purpose-built obstacles, built near Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The Hilux 4x4 comes with a 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine producing 203 PS and 500 Nm of torque. For the 2026 model, Toyota has also silently removed the manual gearbox. The pickup now gets a 6-speed torque-converter automatic as standard, even for the new 4x2 variant.

Despite having no load at the rear and only two passengers, the Hilux felt very composed on the tarmac. One expects such a tall, bulky SUV to exhibit noticeable pitch and lateral movement, but the sensations were well masked. Unless you start pushing the pickup or switch lanes abruptly, the Hilux will feel well planted, even at highway speeds.

The novelty of driving a Hilux also lies in the commanding view from the driver's seat. The high seating position, the sound of the turbo diesel and solid build quality lead to a king-of-the-road feeling which can be quite addictive.

The mountain trails looked dangerous as it had been raining constantly. This meant the mud was deep and porous and the rock patches weren't really visible. We also crossed several flooded patches, but the Hilux simply glided over them all. Trust us, it went by that easily.

Apart from selecting 4H (4 High) on slow patches and switching back to 2H (2 High) on dust roads, we did not have to help the Hilux in any way to keep moving forward. With our fingers crossed for the first few rough patches, it quickly became clear that the Hilux was not even breaking a sweat on these trails. Soon we felt relaxed even while going over mud, slush, rocks and rainwater. The feeling was unique, and if there is one word to describe the Hilux's off-road behaviour, it would be effortless.

The nine obstacles that we conquered with the pickup were designed to push the Hilux and demonstrate its limits. It is important to note that even here, only two obstacles required us to put the 4x4 in 4L (4 Low) mode and lock the differential. The Hilux also comes with an automatic limited slip differential. This meant that with the rear axle halfway in the air, we still caught traction automatically via the other wheel, which was in contact with the ground. All this, without having to make any complicated adjustments. On the inside, it felt effortless to come out of the deep pits that seemed impossible to climb out of at first glance.

Once you experience how well the Hilux 4x4 performs off-road, it is difficult to forget the feeling. For someone considering daily driving a Hilux, this would become even more complicated, as they would quickly realise it is purpose-built for a lot more than just road presence.

Going to your office in a Hilux could feel like taking a majestic Tiger for a casual walk to the local pet park. You will feel this, and you will start making frequent outdoor plans that may sound unusual to your family. Ultimately, you might even consider switching to remote work because the Hilux will tempt you to be out in the world. After all, that is where it belongs.

For all its positives, the Toyota Hilux is still best suited for people with an outgoing lifestyle or those who need to be on the road with above-average cargo for extended periods. It looks great but does not solve any problems for the average car user. It will stick out in a basement parking lot or a hotel lobby. It is also not particularly comfortable for a family of four or for elderly passengers. Parking it will be a hassle at most places, and the kind of attention it attracts might not be to everyone's liking.