Last month, it was reported that the
Toyota Hilux would receive a second facelift to keep up with its newer rivals,
and we’re now getting a look at what this redesign will look like. Dubai dealer
Milele Motors has released a number of what seem to be official internal images
of the revised pick-up truck, and it looks like the Hilux is in for a major
overhaul – at least, on the exterior.
The first facelift, introduced just two
years into the truck’s lifecycle, already added a large Tacoma-style hexagonal
grille, but for 2021 it will apparently be even bigger, with twin slats that
are finished in metallic black on higher-end models. Toyota is clearly
following the lead of Isuzu, which introduced a gaping maw to its new D-Max
last year.
The surrounding trim, available in either
metallic grey or chrome depending on the variant, is also much thicker and it
is flanked by new, more angular headlights (the first facelift reused the
original lamps). Lower-end variants will continue to get halogens but with LED
indicators and positioning lamps, whereas top-of-the-range models will receive
bi-LED projectors to replace the outgoing LED low beam and halogen high beam.
Finishing off the front fascia are the
L-shaped fog light surrounds that frame the grille, along with a slim centre
inlet. Higher grades will also gain redesigned LED tail lights with hexagonal
light guides. The alloy wheel options will also be revised, with the base
17-inch six-spoke rollers appearing to have been lifted from the Fortuner, and
the 18-inch items getting a redesign with a more distinctive two-tone look.
We even get a glimpse of the available
colours, with Emotional Red II from the latest Prius and Camry joining the
list. Certain markets will also receive a new Oxide Bronze Metallic and Dark
Blue Mica – the latter should be familiar to owners of the new Vios. A report
from CarAdvice suggested that the Hilux will also get some mild interior
tweaks, including the fitment of a new infotainment system that is compatible
with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (UMW Toyota Motor has its own head unit on
higher-end models, which already has these features built in).
The facelift should also see revisions to
the 1GD-FTV 2.8 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, with higher outputs and
updates to address particulate filter clogging issues (this is specific to
countries that have the filter, which Malaysia doesn’t get). Japanese reports
suggest the mill could also make its way to the more rugged next-generation Land
Cruiser, and it should also be introduced in the Fortuner and the Land Cruiser
Prado.
Australian models, even the most basic
ones, already come equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver
assistance systems, including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian
detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and traffic sign
recognition. The facelift could see these features be rolled out across more
regions – especially in Southeast Asia – to compete with more modern pick-ups.
The aforementioned CarAdvice report floated an Australian launch as soon as
late July or early August, but warned that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic
could shift that timeline.
