The Electric Toyota Hilux Is Finally here, But It’s Not Cheap

Key Points

• Toyota launches its all-electric Hilux in Australia, starting at $74,990 AUD.
• Features a 193-hp dual-motor AWD powertrain and up to 196 miles NEDC range.
• Both SR and SR5 trims are well-equipped, with Toyota Safety Sense standard.

Toyota’s all-electric Hilux will go on sale in Australia next month, marking the first time the battery-powered pickup is available outside Thailand, its home market.

That gives us an idea of how much the first-ever electric Hilux costs, and it’s not exactly cheap. Prices start from $74,990 Australian dollars, which is the equivalent of around $52,000 US, plus on-road costs. Market-specific conditions aside, that’s quite a lot for a mid-size truck, even an all-electric one; at least it’s well-equipped.

The Hilux BEV will be available in two trim levels in Australia—SR and SR5—and both will only come with a dual-motor AWD powertrain. The base price is for the SR chassis double-cab version, which means that the cheapest Hilux BEV pickup is the SR double-cab version priced from AUD $76,490 (US $53,050). As for the range-topping SR5 double-cab pickup, it is priced from AUD $82,990, which is roughly $57,600 in US currency.

Dual-Motor AWD With 193 HP, Up to 196 Miles of Range NEDC

So what do Australian customers get for the money? For starters, the battery-electric powertrain, which is shared across all variants, consists of a 59.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack and dual-motor AWD system. The latter includes a front motor rated at 82 kW (110 hp) and 206 Nm (152 lb-ft) of torque, plus a more powerful rear motor that delivers 192 kW (257 hp) and 269 Nm (198 lb-ft) of torque.

Mind you, the combined system output is 144 kW (193 hp), with torque distribution variably controlled between the front and rear axles during on-road driving to provide high-traction full-time AWD. When going off-road, the Toyota Multi-Terrain Select traction control system offers six different drive modes that adjust the amount of wheel slip to suit the driving conditions and keep the vehicle moving in low-grip situations.

The maximum driving range is 196 miles for the pickup variants and 152 miles for the chassis-cab version. The figures are calculated using the outdated NEDC test cycle, which is known to exaggerate range by up to 30%—this explains why the European-spec Hilux BEV has a maximum range of 149 miles on the more realistic WLTP cycle.

The battery can be replenished from 10 to 80% in as little as 30 minutes thanks to 150kW CCS2 DC charging capability, while the maximum three-phase AC charging capacity is 10kW, enabling customers to charge from 10 to 100% in about 6.5 hours.

While the Hilux BEV shares the body-on-frame design with the diesel versions, it does have some modifications to accommodate the battery-electric powertrain. Those include a unique suspension system with frame reinforcements, beefed-up MacPherson strut front suspension and a De-dion rear leaf spring setup that integrates the rear electric motor while retaining the live axle setup. Ventilated disc brakes are also part of the package. The HiLux BEV offers a maximum braked towing capacity of 4,409 lbs in Australia in double cab-chassis guise.

Well-Equipped SR Base Grade, Upmarket SR5

Equipment-wise, the Toyota Hilux BEV SR grade features a closed-off upper front grille, aero-enhanced 17-inch alloys, LED headlights with manual leveling, body-color front bumper, side mirror caps, and door handles, as well as a shark fin antenna and side steps.

Inside, the most affordable Hilux BEV grade gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system paired with a 12.3-inch digital cluster, and a four-speaker sound system. The infotainment system also offers embedded satellite navigation, and voice commands, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, DAB+ digital radio, and a pair of USB-C ports in the front and rear.

Hilux BEV SR customers also get a fabric upholstery, all-weather floor mats, dual-zone automatic climate control, power windows, smart entry and start, and a 1500W inverter in the center console box that can power small appliances.

As for the SR5 top grade, it adds exterior upgrades like LED headlamps with auto-leveling, LED fog lamps and taillights, power folding and heated side mirrors, rear privacy glass and painted hood moulding and radiator lower grille. The cabin is more luxurious courtesy of a leather-accented upholstery, heated front seats with powered driver’s adjustment and two-way lumbar support, heated steering wheel, electrochromatic rearview mirror, carpeted floor, eight-speaker audio system, and wireless phone charger, among other things.

All models get the Toyota Safety Sense active safety suite including Pre-Collision System autonomous emergency braking, dynamic radar cruise control, lane trace assist, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking support brake (pickup only), road sign assist, and automatic high beam. A panoramic view monitor, front and rear parking sensors (pickup only), tyre pressure monitor, and eight SRS airbags are also standard on all grades.