Upgraded Toyota HiLux delayed

The anticipation surrounding the upcoming 2021 Toyota HiLux – which will bring a new look inside and out, along with a power hike – may need to be tempered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The continued closure of auto factories in Thailand – including the one that builds the HiLux, until at least May 7 – will likely have an impact on the new Toyota HiLux's Australian launch date, which was originally scheduled to be in late July.

The Australian introduction of the facelifted Toyota HiLux may now not take place until October, or even later if the temporary factory closures are drawn out further due to Thai government regulations around the coronavirus outbreak.

As the replacement for Australia’s and Toyota’s top-selling vehicle, the updated HiLux is vitally important for the Japanese giant, especially since it will face new challenges from the completely new Isuzu D-MAX and Mazda BT-50, both of which are scheduled to arrive in Australia later in 2020, and the next generation of its arch-rival, the Ford Ranger, in 2021.

The 2021 Toyota HiLux is tipped to get a slightly angrier new exterior design, previewed in these CGI renders by Dubai-based website Milele Motors, but the facelifted Toyota HiLux's headline upgrade will be a much-needed powertrain upgrade that’s expected to deliver more power, a fix for its embarrassing DPF issues and, potentially, improved towing capacity.

While the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine in the HiLux will return for active duty, the powerplant has been at the gym and is expected to bring more muscle – with power and torque tipped to rise from its current 130kW and 420Nm (450Nm for the auto).

There's talk of 150kW and 470Nm but those figures have not been confirmed by Toyota Australia yet. That said, any bump up in power could give automatic HiLux utes an uptick in towing capacity from 3200kg to 3500kg, finally matching the Ranger.

There has been a lot of controversy – and legal proceedings – around the HiLux’s problematic diesel particulate filter and it is understood the engine upgrade will fix the issue that has plagued around a quarter of a million vehicles (including Fortuner and Prado) over the past five years.

Updates to the cabin design and trim levels are also tipped to make the grade, as the ute segment continues to evolve and customers demand more technology and luxury. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will be offered in the new HiLux as well.

The 2021 Toyota HiLux facelift is the most significant change to the popular pick-up since it was launched in 2015 and will need to be bold enough to keep the model relevant until the next-generation model arrives in 2024.

Like the upcoming LandCruiser 300 Series, the next Toyota HiLux will – eventually – be offered with a hybrid powertrain for the first time.