Toyota HiLux BEV launched in Australia with three double-cab variants

Electric HiLux joins the Australian range

Toyota has launched its first battery-electric HiLux in Australia, 4X4 Australia reported in a July 2026 first drive. The publication identified three local double-cab all-wheel-drive variants: an SR cab-chassis, an SR pick-up and an SR5 pick-up. Its reported figures give the electric ute a shorter rated driving range and lower towing capacity than the diesel HiLux it compared. ²

The Australian first drive sits alongside Toyota’s announcements about its ninth-generation HiLux for Europe. Toyota describes that European battery-electric model as its first fully electric body-on-frame vehicle. European equipment and specifications should not be applied to the Australian variants described by 4X4 Australia. ²³

Australian prices and variants

4X4 Australia listed the SR double cab-chassis at $74,990, the SR double-cab pick-up at $76,490 and the SR5 double-cab pick-up at $82,990. It also reported a $675 premium-paint option and three available colours: two shades of white and one shade of grey. These are the prices the publication gave in July, not location-specific drive-away estimates. ²

For a diesel comparison, 4X4 Australia listed a 4×4 SR double cab-chassis with the 2.8-litre diesel, 48V mild-hybrid system and automatic transmission from $57,990. It listed the diesel SR5 double-cab ute from $64,990. On those published figures, both diesel examples start below their electric counterparts, while the two powertrains also differ in range and towing capacity. ²

Battery, range and equipment

According to 4X4 Australia, the local HiLux BEV has a 59.2kWh lithium-ion battery and one motor at each axle, with a maximum combined output of 144kW. The publication rated the front motor at 82.2kW and 205.5Nm and the rear at 129.3kW and 268Nm. It described a multi-terrain selector with Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Mogul and Snow modes, alongside brake-operated electronic traction control to manage wheel slip. ²

4X4 Australia gave the pick-up variants a stated range of 315km on the combined NEDC test cycle, compared with 245km for the SR cab-chassis. It reported an official charging time of 30 minutes using a 150kW DC charger, or 6.5 hours on AC power. The outlet listed the BEV’s towing capacity at 2000kg, against 3500kg for the diesel HiLux in its comparison. Those range ratings are test-cycle figures, rather than distances established by the first drive while towing. ²

The publication described a De Dion-type rear suspension arrangement for the electric model, with a crossmember, locating links and driveshafts to the rear hubs. Inside, it reported a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a three-pin AC outlet powered by a 220V/1500W inverter. ²

First-drive observations

On a moderate off-road track, 4X4 Australia found the electric HiLux quiet and responsive, but said its rear suspension felt stiff on rough surfaces and unsettled occupants more than the diesel vehicle. It observed brief front-tyre slip while climbing steps before traction control intervened. The outlet also reported that the low rear crossbeam scraped as the vehicle dropped into a rocky creek bed. Those observations describe its drive, not a measured limit for every terrain or load. ²

4X4 Australia judged the BEV’s range and towing capacity less suited to long-distance four-wheel-drive touring than those of a diesel HiLux. It also reported that Toyota Australia had run electric HiLux prototypes with large Western Australian mining fleets for more than two years. ²

Toyota’s separate European plans

Toyota’s June 2026 European announcement describes a ninth-generation Double Cab range with a battery-electric version and a 2.8-litre diesel 48V mild hybrid. It says conventional diesel and petrol options are for Eastern European markets, while a hydrogen fuel-cell HiLux is expected to launch in 2028. In November 2025, Toyota had said UK sales of the new generation were due to commence in June 2026. ¹³

Toyota labelled the electric HiLux figures in its November 2025 UK announcement as tentative and pre-homologation: approximately 715kg of payload, 1600kg of towing capacity and about 150 miles of WLTP driving range. They are not Australian-market specifications. In particular, the tentative UK towing figure and WLTP estimate have different market and measurement bases from the Australian figures reported by 4X4 Australia. ¹²