First spy shots of ‘new’ Toyota Hilux shows 2026 model could be an extensive facelift

The next-generation Toyota Hilux is surely one of the most highly anticipated bakkies of the decade, and the Japanese carmaker is remaining extremely tight lipped about it.

Although it was widely speculated that the next Hilux would be modelled around the new US-market Tacoma, graduating to the TNGA-F platform that also underpins the Land Cruiser 300, spy shots emanating from Thailand imply that the upcoming bakkie could instead be an extensive facelift of the existing model.

These images, published this week by Thai publication Headlightmag, show a prototype vehicle with the same bodyshell and doors as the current Hilux, but with front and rear sections disguised by camouflage material.

The current generation Toyota Hilux has been around internationally since 2015, launching in South Africa the following year, and has received numerous facelifts during its life cycle.

The 2026 iteration, however, will be a far more extensive update, with a completely redesigned front end, which appears to feature a two-tier lighting signature, and a revised rear end design.

It's almost certain that the bakkie’s interior will be given a significant makeover too, while speculation abroad also points towards upgraded suspension, the fitment of rear disc brakes and a new electric power steering system, which will enable new driver assistance technology, such as lane-centring assist.

The turbodiesel engines are likely to carry over from the current range, with the 2.8-litre GD-6 flagship having already been revised in the current Hilux with 150kW and 165kW versions. HeadlightMag does however speculate that changes are being made to improve its emissions compliance.

This will be an extremely important vehicle for Toyota South Africa, with the Hilux being South Africa’s best-selling vehicle by a vast margin. The locally built bakkies are also exported to international markets such as Europe.

There’s little else that we can tell you about the new Hilux for now, but we do hope that the updates are extensive enough to retain the vehicle’s competitive edge in the cut-throat bakkie market. That said, given how the current version still dominates the market so late in its life cycle, could it ever set a foot wrong?

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