Toyota’s all-new Hilux truck is ready to take on the most grueling terrain on earth

By Ronan Glon April 29, 2015

Leaked images have prematurely revealed the all-new 2016 Toyota Hilux, a rugged Tacoma-sized pickup truck sold in well over 100 countries worldwide.

Entirely new from A to Z, the Hilux gets a much more modern look that falls in line with Toyota’s latest design language. The bulk of the upgrades are found up front, where the truck is fitted with elongated headlights, a muscular-looking bumper and a sizable three-slat radiator grille. Sculpted fenders and bed sides partially hide the Hilux’s utilitarian roots.

The leaked images show the Hilux crew cab, but the lineup will also include single and extended cab models.

Inside, the Hilux follows the truck industry’s shift towards more car-like dashboards. The instrument cluster boasts a configurable TFT screen, the steering is commanded through an ergonomic three-spoke multi-function wheel and the truck can be ordered with a large touch screen that runs the latest generation of Toyota’s infotainment system.

WorldCarFans reports the 2016 Hilux will be offered with at least three turbodiesel engines. The entry-level mill will be a 2.4-liter four-cylinder available with either 148 or 164 ponies, while buyers after more grunt will be able to order the truck with a 2.8-liter oil-burner tuned to churn out 174 horsepower and gobs of torque.

A gasoline-burning engine will also be available, though it will represent a tiny percentage of sales. Interestingly, industry rumors indicate the next Hilux could get a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain for the first time in the nameplate’s history.

A manual transmission will come standard, and an automatic unit will be available at an extra cost on select engines. As always, Toyota will offer both two- and four-wheel drive versions of its next pickup.

Now that the cat is out of the bag, we expect the 2016 Toyota Hilux will be officially unveiled online in the coming days.

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Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…

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