2026 Toyota Hilux could have a carry-over engine

Expectations of the familiar 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine being retained by the next-generation 2026 Toyota Hilux have been given added credence by Toyota Australia.

Sean Hanley, the local operation’s vice president of sales, marketing & franchise operations, launched into a stout defence of the engine when asked by carsales about media reports suggesting the next-gen Hilux would don a new body over existing mechanicals.

The new Hilux is expected to be revealed in 2025 and go on-sale in Australia the following year, replacing a vehicle that was Australia’s best-seller every year from 2016 to 2022.

Hanley, who’s rolled out by Toyota Australia at virtually every media event it conducts, rarely, if ever, veers from his message. So discussing the 2.8 in the context of the new HiLux was clearly intended.

While denying his commentary was warming Australians up for the 2.8’s retention, he added:

“But is it [2.8] the future? You will have to wait and see,” he said.

Reports originating in Brazil claim the next Hilux will not only retain its familiar 1GD-FTV powertrain, but be based on a modified version of the current IMV ladder frame chassis rather than transition to the TNGA-F platform already underpins the LandCruiser 300 Series, new-generation Prado and the locally remanufactured Tundra pick-up.

“Speculative reports,” Hanley said. “What I will say about Hilux is pretty simple.

“Everybody talks about the current Hilux like there is something wrong with the powertrain.

“There is nothing wrong with the powertrain. It’s an extremely capable and reliable powertrain.

“The second thing is whatever we decide to do with Hilux – and it’s purely speculative what you are reading – we know that it has to maintain that reliability and capability.”

“That’s all you need to know about Hilux, and I can assure you the new model will absolutely look the part and will be absolutely capable of doing the things Australians expect of it.”

A couple of things to note there: Hanley didn’t actually say the reporting was wrong, and in eulogising the powertrain, he omitted its diesel particulate filter issues and the resulting court case loss Toyota has since appealed.

He also left out the dusting issues carsales encountered during an outback test of the current Hilux that subsequently required a widespread fix.

The likelihood appears to be a wider application of the 48V mild hybrid version of the engine employed in a couple of HiLux models as well as the latest Prado and LandCruiser 70 Series.

The Prado could also feasibly donate its eight-speed automatic transmission to make the most of and help extract more performance from the aging donk.

There is also speculation the wide-track version of the HiLux ladder frame introduced in 2022 and employed in Australia by the top-end Rogue and GR Sport models, could become the chassis for next-gen variants.

“Anything you are reading into that is pure speculation,” Hanley responded.

Asked to resolve the speculation, he added: “I can’t, you’re asking the wrong person.”

However, he did state categorically that the new Hilux was not currently testing in Australia, despite its position as Toyota’s centre of excellence for 4x4 development.

The new Prado was only tested outside Japan in Australia.

“At the appropriate point it will [test in Australia] but I am not aware of any one that’s here right now,” Hanley said.

“I am not aware of any testing of the [next-gen] Hilux in Australia right now.

“Certainly, I think that Australia is a big market for Hilux and you’d expect we’d have some involvement.”

By the time it arrives in 2026, the ninth-generation Hilux will be facing a vastly different set of ute opposition with more electrified drivetrains heading our way and more new Chinese rivals.

The Ford Ranger Super Duty, capable of hauling 4.5 tonnes, will also be on-sale in 2026.

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