Your questions answered: When will the all-new Toyota HiLux go on sale?

The interest in EVs and hybrid cars keeps bubbling away in the carsales mailbox, with many readers keen to learn more about upcoming new models – from the facelifted Tesla Model Y to the new Hyundai Kona Electric and long-awaited Kia Sportage Hybrid.

There’s also still lots of attention on conventional cars, including when the next-generation Toyota HiLux ute is likely to turn up.

Question: I’m looking to buy a new ute sometime this year and have the Toyota HiLux on the top of my list. But I’m worried that there will be a new model around the corner. What do you know? When can we expect a new HiLux? And is there likely to be a hybrid? – John T

Answer: The Toyota HiLux may have been the top-selling car in the country for many years, but it’s also starting to feel a tad tired in what is a very competitive ute segment. The Ford Ranger beats it on most metrics, including tech, how it drives, performance and safety features.

And Ford sells a lot more 4x4 models than Toyota, with the latter dominating at the more affordable 4x2 end of the ute market.

One area the Ford Ranger doesn’t beat the Toyota HiLux is on its reputation for reliability and ruggedness and bulletproof resale values. That’s partly why people in the bush swear by a HiLux. It’s taken decades to build that reputation and any rival will likely take just as long to seriously muscle in on that terrain.

So, yes, there is an all-new HiLux under development and we’d expect it to be fairly special. We know nothing concrete about the new model but we’d expect it around 2025, which is 10 years after the current shape went on sale.

A few months ago rumours out of Japan suggested the new HiLux could break cover in 2024 but would likely not arrive in Australia until 2025. That makes sense given Toyota has a fuel-saving 48V assist system coming in some models of the current model early this year; car-makers typically don’t do a significant update like that as the car approaches runout because they need to sell some to recoup the R&D investment.

It’s a fair bet the new model will be bigger than today’s car and you can guarantee it’ll have a whole lot more tech.

You can also expect hybrid and/or electric drivetrains at some stage during the life of the yet-to-be-seen next-gen HiLux. Toyota has committed to hybrids on most models by 2030 – and the hybrid is included in that.

Question:

Answer: There’s not a bad selection in the trio you’re considering. Each has pros and cons. The Tesla Model Y is the easiest to charge (courtesy of the widespread Tesla charging network as well as chargers for all other EVs), the Polestar 2 is the most upmarket and luxurious and the Kia EV6 – carsales’ 2022 Car of the Year – is the best to drive.

As for when the updated Model Y makes an appearance, that’s anyone’s guess and trying to figure out how Tesla operates can often lead to brain pain. The company doesn’t typically follow the traditional car company way.

So, yes, we’re expecting the Model Y to eventually get similar upgrades to what was applied to the Tesla Model 3 – improvements to the driving dynamics, ventilated front seats, ambient lightning, a design update, etc – but exactly when that will happen comes down to an educated guess.

Keep in mind the Model Y has been the top-selling car in the world this year, including one of the biggest sellers in Australia. Whenever a car is proving popular car-makers tend to let things tick along, all the while being ready to respond to shifts in the market and new arrivals.

Question:

Answer: The long-awaited Kia Sportage Hybrid is not that far away, Sarah! Kia tells us that they’ll be in dealerships during the first quarter of 2024. Word on the street suggests they should be available for delivery by February. So hopefully it’s only a matter of weeks!

Kia’s sister brand Hyundai is also readying its Tucson Hybrid that arrives around mid-2024. And don’t ignore some other alternatives to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – which still has long wait times. The Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER and Honda CR-V Hybrid are both worthy of consideration.

Question: Any news on when the 2023 Hyundai Kona EV will be on sale in Hobart, Tasmania, please? – Geoff R

Answer: The Hyundai Kona Electric was due in dealerships before Christmas but there have been some delays along the way. Either way, expect to see them down your way early in the New Year.

The big thing we’re still awaiting is the price of the Kona Electric, which we’re hoping can undercut the Kia Niro Electric that uses the same underpinnings; it starts from $66,590 plus on-road costs.

Question:

Answer: We’re not aware of any plans to launch the Baojun brand in Australia. It’s one of more than 100 Chinese automotive brands that most Australians never would have heard of. The Yep was created as part of the joint-venture between SAIC (which also owns brands such as MG and LDV), General Motors and Wuling.

It’s certainly a cool-looking SUV that would no doubt turn heads in Australia. They’ve also created a ute version, too. But as you can no doubt appreciate, there’s a whole lot more that has to happen to bring an automotive brand to Australia.

Question:

Do you have any idea as to where I could find the number or where I could buy this much-needed accessory? – Erin

Answer: Obviously Toyota dealers offer a range of accessories for their heavy-duty four-wheel drives and there are various accessories for the Toyota Yaris Cross. But something like mudflaps on a Yaris Cross aren’t usually in hot demand, hence they’re not offered.

So I’d be heading straight to Dr Google for something like that. Type in “Toyota Yaris Cross mudflaps” and you’ll be peppered with options.

There are loads of suppliers around the world – particularly out of Japan and China – that will look after things like this.

The challenge with buying non-genuine accessories (those not developed or approved by the factory) is there is a huge range when it comes to quality and how fit-for-purpose they are. Sometimes the cheapest may not always be the best option.

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