The arrival of a fully electric Toyota Hilux marks one of the biggest turning points in the history of a pickup that built its reputation on toughness, dependability, and real-world utility.

Toyota is opening this new chapter first in Australia, where the Hilux BEV is scheduled to reach showrooms in May 2026. That makes Australia the first market outside Thailand to put the electric Hilux on sale.

The first thing buyers will notice is that the move to electric power is not cheap. Using the recent AUD/USD rate of about 0.69, the Hilux BEV range starts at roughly $51,900 for the SR double cab chassis, rises to about $52,900 for the SR double cab pickup, and reaches around $57,400 for the SR5 double cab pickup, all before local on-road costs.

Toyota’s official Australian pricing is A$74,990, A$76,490, and A$82,990, respectively.

Toyota is keeping the lineup simple. Australian buyers get two trims, SR and SR5, and every Hilux BEV uses the same dual-motor all-wheel-drive layout. There is no cheaper rear-wheel-drive fleet special at launch.

Toyota is clearly positioning the truck as a more premium, more specialized product aimed at commercial, fleet, and business users who want electric power without giving up the basic pickup format.

An Electric Powertrain With Familiar Hilux Priorities

The powertrain is built around a 59.2 kWh lithium ion battery and two electric motors. Toyota says the front motor makes 82 kW and 206 Nm, while the rear motor produces 130 kW and 268 Nm, for a total system output of 150 kW, or about 201 hp. Official range is up to 196 miles on the NEDC cycle for pickup versions and up to 152 miles for the cab chassis. DC fast charging peaks at 150 kW, allowing a 10 to 80% charge in about 30 minutes, while 10 kW AC charging can refill the battery in around 6.5 hours.

Toyota also wants to reassure buyers that this still behaves like a Hilux when the pavement ends. The truck keeps full-time all-wheel drive, Multi-Terrain Select, and a specially developed chassis setup with reinforced frame sections, MacPherson strut front suspension, and a De Dion rear axle designed around the rear motor.

Published Australian specs also point to about 8.6 inches of ground clearance, 27.6 inches of wading depth, and up to 4,409 pounds of braked towing capacity. Those numbers show that Toyota is trying to preserve the Hilux’s working identity, even if the electric version still cannot match the towing muscle of its diesel relatives.

Well Equipped, But Still A Real Work Truck

Equipment is generous even in base form. The SR includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch driver display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, smart entry and start, and a 1,500-watt power outlet.

The SR5 adds leather-accented trim, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an 8-speaker audio system, and extra visual upgrades. Toyota Safety Sense is standard across the lineup, adding features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane support systems, and other active safety technology.

The Hilux BEV is not just another new trim. It is Toyota’s attempt to prove that one of the world’s most trusted work pickups can be adapted for the electric era without abandoning the qualities that made it famous.

The price is high, the range is modest by truck standards, and the compromises are real. But the bigger message is clear. Toyota is no longer treating electric pickups as a distant future idea. With the Hilux BEV, it is finally putting one in front of customers and testing how far the old formula can evolve.

This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.

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