Exclusive: Toyota HiLux Hybrid fast-tracked for Australia

Development of a Toyota HiLux Hybrid is being accelerated for Australia amid the boom in sales of hybrid and electric cars.

The Toyota HiLux ute – Australia’s top-selling vehicle outright for the past seven years and also the top-selling four-wheel-drive in 2022 – is due to get the option of hybrid power well before the 2030 deadline originally pledged by the Japanese car giant.

While diesel engines dominate the double-cab ute market in Australia, the option of petrol-electric hybrid technology for the Toyota HiLux would eliminate the customer inconvenience of diesel utes that require top-ups of emissions-reduction additives such as AdBlue – while still delivering heavy-duty performance and frugal fuel economy.

For now there are no hybrid double-cab utes on sale in Australia, however the Ford Ranger is expected to add the option of a plug-in hybrid petrol variant within the next two years.

Mitsubishi has also foreshadowed a plug-in hybrid variant of the next-generation Triton ute, due to be introduced from 2024.

The new Toyota Tundra full-size pick-up (pictured below) is already available with petrol-electric hybrid power in the US and that model is capable of towing in excess of 4.5 tonnes with a heavy-duty hitch.

For now it is unclear whether hybrid technology will be introduced on the current-generation Toyota HiLux – or with the arrival of the all-new model due in 2025 or 2026. And whether it would be a four-cylinder or V6 hybrid.

Toyota Australia has, for now, refused to rule out the possibility of hybrid technology being added to the current-generation Toyota HiLux.

Toyota Australia vice president, sales and marketing, Sean Hanley told Drive: “We have a number of really exciting things happening on HiLux.

“You know, we talk about … electrification (of Hilux) as we’ve seen in Thailand (pictured below). There are electrification prototypes, we’re looking at in that market. 

“We will always continue to evaluate all the new models for Australia as they become available, particularly when it comes to electrification.”

When asked if a Toyota HiLux Hybrid variant would arrive before the end of this generation within the next few years, or after the next-generation arrives in 2025 or 2026, Mr Hanley said: “We’re always looking at developments.

“So whilst I wouldn’t confirm or deny anything on the current HiLux, I’ll never rule out any potential going forward of further electrification being accelerated.

“We’re always looking at ways to improve HiLux for our customers.” 

When pressed again on whether a hybrid option would be added to the Toyota HiLux range as the current generation approaches the end of its lifecycle, or wait until the next model arrives, Mr Hanley said:

“You’ll have to wait and see on that one. What I will say is that electrification is accelerating. But when I say that, Toyota’s perspective hasn’t changed.

“Our position is clear: carbon-dioxide emissions are the enemy here. We are playing a role in reducing CO2 emissions in the Australian market now. And 72,000 Toyota hybrid vehicles (sold last year) indicates customers see that as well.

“Australian new-car buyers are gravitating towards hybrid, and it’s also true that electric vehicle sales are accelerating in the market. 

“What we’re saying is the market will determine (what cars people buy) and the market must have choice.”

The Toyota executive repeated earlier claims the Japanese car giant will have a range of low-emissions or zero-emissions vehicles by 2030, but also underlined the importance of introducing technology that suits the diverse needs of Australian motorists.

“In Australia, right now, plenty of people are towing caravans, plenty of people are using cars for leisure and in industry,” said Mr Hanley.

“Electric vehicles will suit some customers, hybrid vehicles will suit some customers, and fuel-cell vehicles will suit some customers. We’re going to give them the choice. Our position has not altered.”

When asked when a solely electric version of the Toyota HiLux might be available to buy – following the unveiling of a concept vehicle in Thailand late last year – Mr Hanley indicated Toyota would prioritise a hybrid alternative because it is more afforddale.

Toyota hybrid cars today typically have a $2500 price premium over the equivalent petrol model, but real-world testing shows hybrid vehicles use half as much fuel as an equivalent petrol model.

Toyota says halving the fuel bills and emissions of the 315,000 hybrid cars sold locally over the past 20 years has delivered the same emissions reduction as putting 95,000 electric cars on Australian roads. Last year 33,410 electric vehicles were reported as sold.

Although the Toyota executive did not mention Australia’s first electric ute by name – the LDV eT60 from China, priced from $92,990 plus on-road costs (pictured above) – which went on sale late last year, Mr Hanley said: “There’s an electric ute in the market in Australia right now. What price is it?

“Are you better off having 72,000 hybrids on the road that are affordable, practical and deliver on what customers want? Or a handful of (electric vehicles) right now … that don’t have the scale right now to meet customer requirements (in terms of driving range and price).

“Car companies don’t decide what cars people buy, the customer decides.”