Toyota has officially rolled out the ninth-generation Hilux in India, and the lifestyle pickup segment just got a lot more interesting. Priced from Rs 31.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the new Hilux brings a bolder design, a tech-heavy cabin, and a familiar diesel heart that has earned this truck its rugged reputation worldwide.
Pricing and Variants
The 2026 Hilux is offered in three variants. The entry-level GX 4×2 AT starts the range at Rs 31.99 lakh, the GX 4×4 AT sits in the middle at Rs 33.69 lakh, and the range-topping VX 4×4 AT tops out at Rs 36.69 lakh, all ex-showroom. Compared to the outgoing model, which started at around Rs 28.52 lakh, the entry price has gone up by roughly Rs 3.47 lakh, a notable jump, though Toyota has kept the hike at the top end relatively modest at around Rs 69,000.
Design: Tough and Agile
Toyota describes the new design language as “Tough & Agile,” and it shows. The front end is now more upright, with slim LED headlamps, a honeycomb-pattern grille, and bold TOYOTA lettering replacing the traditional badge, a styling cue borrowed from the Land Cruiser and Tacoma. Around the sides, expect black wheel-arch cladding, roll bars, a footboard for easier cabin access, and new alloy wheels (17-inch on lower variants, 18-inch on higher ones). At the rear, vertically stacked LED tail-lamps with C-shaped detailing give the truck a more premium stance, and the cargo bed retains a practical 500 kg payload capacity.
Cabin and Technology
Step inside and the biggest change is immediately obvious: twin 12.3-inch displays, one for the digital instrument cluster and one for the touchscreen infotainment system, dominate the redesigned dashboard. The system supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the cabin also gains a wireless charger, dual-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, and a 360-degree camera for tighter maneuvering features that were sorely missed on the previous generation.
Powertrain
Under the hood, the familiar 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine carries over, now producing 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque, paired exclusively with a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The manual option has been dropped this time around. A new 48V mild-hybrid system has also been added for improved efficiency. Four-wheel drive comes standard on the GX 4×4 and VX variants, complete with a low-range transfer case, Multi-Terrain Select, and Downhill Assist Control for serious off-road capability.
Should You Buy One?
For buyers who value genuine off-road ability, body-on-frame durability, and Toyota’s dependability record, the new Hilux is a compelling, if pricier, upgrade. Bookings are open now, with deliveries expected to begin in the second week of August 2026. It continues to lock horns with the Isuzu V-Cross in India’s small but growing lifestyle pickup segment.
Rajababu Kushwaha is the Founder and Editor of AutoCrest. He covers the latest car news, reviews, comparisons, EV updates, and buying guides for Indian car buyers.