Confirmed: Toyota HiLux hybrid coming early next year

Toyota Australia has announced it will offer mild-hybrid power for its top-selling Toyota HiLux for the first time within 12 months.

The confirmation follows a similar move announced in South Africa last month, but in this case Toyota Australia has not confirmed a mild-hybrid version of the closely related Fortuner.

And rather than a traditional petrol-electric series-hybrid powertrain, as now seen across almost the entire Toyota range, the HiLux’s 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel will be fitted with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that’s claimed to reduce fuel consumption by about 10 per cent.

Because traditional Toyota hybrid systems use up to 50 per cent less fuel than equivalent petrol-only models, to avoid diluting its trademark powertrain technology Toyota Australia will not include the word 'hybrid' in its promotional material for the new mild-hybrid tech, instead referring to it only as '48-Volt Technology'.

And the electrified turbo-diesel will only become standard in premium 4x4 dual-cab SR5 and Rogue variants – and optional for the SR 4x4 Double Cab – of the HiLux sometime “in the first half of 2024”, said Toyota Australia.

The mild-hybrid (MHEV) system combines the existing 2.8-litre turbo-diesel and six-speed automatic transmission with an additional 48-volt battery, small electric motor-generator and other components.

Toyota says that in addition to reduced fuel consumption, thanks in part to a fuel-saving automatic engine idle-stop system, the mild-hybrid tech will bring improved driveability and reduced noise, vibration and harshness, without any impact on the capability or the 3500kg braked towing capacity of HiLux 4x4 models.

Toyota Australia says it will announce further details closer to the technology’s release in 2024 and is yet to confirm the extent of price rises the mild-hybrid system is certain to bring for HiLux 4x4 models, which are currently being outsold by the new Ford Ranger 4x4.

Following the release of the new range-topping Toyota HiLux GR Sport flagship in coming months, the updated MY24 HiLux range is likely to be the final upgrade for Australia’s most popular vehicle range before it’s replaced in 2025.

Toyota has committed to releasing hybrid versions of every model its sells (except for GR performance vehicles) by 2030, but it's now unclear whether the all-new HiLux will be available with a petrol-electric series-hybrid powertrain, of if the mild-hybrid system will be spread across the range.

Toyota Australia is currently investigating the viability of a full battery-electric version of the HiLux, and has promised to release three EVs by the end of 2026.

For now, Toyota Australia’s vice-president for sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley said the introduction of 48-volt tech to the local market leader’s best-selling model will demonstrate Toyota’s commitment to increasing the efficiency of its vehicles without compromising the performance and capability demanded by customers.

“We are continually striving to reduce the fuel consumption of our vehicles to help reduce ongoing costs for customers, as well as helping reduce our environmental impact, and the addition of 48-volt technology to our biggest-selling vehicle line will contribute to this,” he said.

“This new technology will not only improve fuel consumption, but customers will also benefit from enhanced on- and off-road performance, making the HiLux even more appealing for a weekend away or longer term excursion into the Outback,” said Hanley.

It's not yet clear whether the electrified 2.8-litre turbo-diesel will power either the new Toyota Prado, which will be revealed this year and released Down Under in 2024, or the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, which is expected to become available with a four-cylinder diesel automatic powertrain alongside the existing 4.5-litre V8 diesel manual, although the 70 Series order book will remain closed until at least next year due to overwhelming demand.

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