Facelifted Toyota HiLux due in “two or three months”

A facelifted Toyota HiLux is coming: here's what we know

An updated version of the Toyota HiLux — including the first examples with 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrains — will arrive in Australia within “two or three months” as the popular dual-cab ute gears up for yet another facelift.

Wheels has learned the first examples of the updated HiLux, which will feature revised styling, additional equipment and price rises on some variants, are already on their way to Australia and that customer deliveries could commence as early as March.

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The new 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrain, known internally at dealerships as “new tech change”, will be offered on the SR, SR5 and Rogue 4X4 model grades and cost around $1000 more than their pre-facelift equivalents.

Versions of the new HiLux powered by the 48-volt powertrain won’t carry a hybrid badge as the new tech doesn’t deliver the same kind of fuel savings as Toyota’s existing petrol-hybrid tech used on models like the RAV4 and Camry.

Buyers can expect the 48-volt tech to reduce their fuel bills by around 10 percent from 8.4L/100km to 7.6L, however, and to benefit from improved drivability and an uplift in refinement thanks to less noise and vibration intrusion.

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Adding the 48-volt tech is just part of a series of changes set to be made throughout the 2024 HiLux range.

Toyota has made a habit of regularly updating the HiLux, with this latest facelift the sixth running change introduced to the popular dual-cab in the last three years.

“The arrival of the 48-volt battery will be the third major update for HiLux since October last year,” said Toyota’s vice president of sales and Marketing Sean Hanley in September last year. “And we have at least one more HiLux surprise in store for next year.”

It’s likely this facelift is the ‘surprise’ Hanley was referring to – click here to read all of his quotes – however Toyota is yet to make an official statement about the updated HiLux or to reveal any images.

Without any official picture it’s unclear just how different the updated HiLux will look, although Wheels understands the updated styling — which will focus on the headlights and grille — is more of a minor cosmetic tweak than a wholesale change.

One facelifted model that is set to look markedly different is the popular SR5. Drive has unearthed further details about the updated HiLux and reports the SR5 will gain a 'blacked out' exterior with dark detailing around the grille, headlights, mirror caps and sports bar.

Drive also reports the facelifted HiLux will gain the fitment of front and rear parking sensors on some variants, as well as the addition of a wireless charging pad and rear USB ports. We’ll update this story as more details come to light regarding updates for specific variants.

Prices will also be tweaked across the 2024 HiLux range, with some variants set to remain unchanged while others will increase by between $300-$1000.

It’s likely this 2024 update will be the last change made to the current Toyota HiLux as an all-new model is due to arrive in 2025.

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It’s understood the all-new HiLux, which will ride on Toyota’s latest TNGA-F ladder-frame platform, will be noticeably taller, longer and wider than the current ute.