Toyota may be preparing an electric HiLux, according to a slide shared on the careta_malaysia Instagram page (see below). 

The slide, taken at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, shows two new pick-up silhouettes alongside the bZ4X electric SUV, Yaris Ativ hybrid and LandCruiser FJ, with one of the utes identified as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). We may not need to wait long for confirmation either, with Toyota’s next-generation HiLux expected to break cover soon – in fact, a teaser (see below) released by Toyota Motor Thailand has revealed it will be unveiled on November 10 (November 11, Australian time).

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Leaked images and spy shots drip-fed throughout the course of this year suggest the next HiLux will be heavily facelifted rather than an all-new model, retaining the current IMV platform. The front and rear are completely redesigned, while the cabin and doors remain largely the same. 

Pre-production interior photos show a broader, more horizontal dashboard with a tablet-style display, soft-touch materials and subtle maroon accents, hinting at a more premium finish. Government filings also indicated Australia will likely get a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder 1GD-FTV engine, with both a standard high-output model and a mild-hybrid variant expected for higher-spec trims. The availability of the as-mentioned electric HiLux is unconfirmed.

The EV ute market in Australia is quite clearly still in its infancy, with only a handful of models confirmed or expected for the Australian market including the Ford F‑150 Lightning, LDV eTerron 9, Rivian R1T, Isuzu D‑MAX EV and JAC T9 EV. Check out the full list here!

Despite an electric HiLux currently existing exclusively for mining purposes – undergoing a 12-month trial with BHP – Toyota’s potential electric HiLux remains an eagerly anticipated addition to the consumer market.

MORE HiLux news and reviews!