The new Toyota HiLux ute is looking to wrest leadership back from the Ford Ranger, offering an Aussie design, revamped cabin, higher tech and both diesel and EV powertrains. Here’s everything you need to know about the ninth-generation HiLux now on sale.
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2026 Electric Toyota HiLux: price, specs and release date in Australia
Toyota has confirmed the first-ever battery-electric Toyota HiLux BEV will launch in Australia in the first half of 2026, joining the diesel and diesel-hybrid models which arrive in dealerships in December 2025.
The new electric Toyota HiLux ute will be available in SR and SR5 4x4 double cab configurations, with Toyota Australia making assurances HiLux will retain its off-road capability and worksite readiness.
Promising a limited driving range of 315km (NEDC), the HiLux EV is unlikely to have broad appeal but Toyota says it is likely to be of interest to fleets, farms and mine sites that have a specific 'back-to-base' use case for an electric vehicle that can perform in rugged terrain.
Here's what we know so far about the battery-electric 2026 Toyota HiLux EV and how it compares to alternative-fuel utes including the plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger PHEV.
More: Research and compare utes and vans on sale today in Australia
In this article
- When does the electric Toyota HiLux go on sale in Australia?
- How much does the new electric Toyota HiLux cost?
- 2026 electric Toyota HiLux design and specification
- What powers the new electric Toyota HiLux?
- What is the towing capacity and payload of new electric Toyota HiLux?
- Is the 2026 electric Toyota HiLux good off-road?
- What safety and technology features on the new electric Toyota HiLux?
The 2026 Toyota HiLux BEV will be available in SR and mid-spec SR5 model grades.
When does the electric Toyota HiLux go on sale in Australia?
The first-ever Toyota HiLux BEV will go on sale in the first half of 2026, joining the rest of the ninth-generation Toyota HiLux range which is on sale now.
It won't be the only alternative-fuelled HiLux for long, with a hydrogen fuel cell HiLux FCEV arriving in 2028 as part of Toyota's multi-pathway approach. This approach has seen the company focus development across multiple powertrain solutions including electrification in its drive towards carbon neutrality.
More: Australia’s best utes of 2025
How much does the new electric Toyota HiLux cost?
Official pricing for the battery-electric 2026 Toyota HiLux EV is yet to be announced but is expected to be positioned well above the equivalent 4x4 turbo-diesel mild-hybrid SR and SR5 grades which are priced from $57,990 and $65,990 plus on-road costs respectively.
Expect an on-road price for the electric HiLux around $90,000- $100,000, reflecting its advanced electric drivetrain and specialised engineering.
The HiLux EV will be one of only a few battery-electric utes available in Australia when it goes on sale. The most affordable electric ute is the new 2026 KGM Musso Musso EV, which starts from $60,000 drive-away. From there, the next most affordable EV ute is the LDV eT60, which is closer to $100,000 drive-away.
Plug-in hybrid choices are growing with options including the best-selling BYD Shark 6 PHEV priced at a competitive $57,900 plus on-road costs, Ford Ranger PHEV from $71,990 plus ORCs and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV priced from $57,490 drive-away.
The Aussie-designed Toyota HiLux Rogue (front) with SR5 (right) and WorkMate single cab-chassis.
2026 electric Toyota HiLux design and specification
The 2026 battery-electric Toyota HiLux is based on the same platform and occupies the same footprint as the new-generation HiLux line-up, which features a bold, locally-led exterior design, muscular “Cyber Sumo” theme, sharper front end, slimline headlights and pumped wheel arches.
On the interior, the cabin is completely redesigned, offering a two-tier dash, ergonomic controls,and digital instrument clusters (7.0-inch for SR, 12.3-inch for SR5).
The HiLux BEV retains the robust ladder-frame chassis, with the propulsion battery installed within the frame for a low centre of gravity and no intrusion into cabin or tub space.
What powers the new electric Toyota HiLux?
The 2026 Toyota HiLux BEV is powered by a compact 59.2kWh battery, driving front and rear electric e-Axles.
It delivers 205Nm of torque to the front wheels and 268Nm to the rear, with a full-time electronically controlled all-wheel drive system. Toyota’s multi-terrain system offers selectable modes for Rock, Sand, Mud, Dirt and Moguls, further aiding its off-road performance.
As the Toyota HiLux BEV was designed to be as rugged as its diesel counterparts, Toyota says its limited electric driving range (315km NEDC) is "ample" for its intended customer usage.
Toyota is positioning the HiLux BEV squarely for “back-to-base” fleets, emphasising predictable, depot-return duty cycles over long-haul endurance in 4WD low.
DC fast-charging the high-voltage battery from 10–80% in around 30 minutes and AC charging from 10–100% in roughly 6.5 hours should suit mining, agriculture, airports and government operations that prioritise uptime and scheduled charging rather than extended highway legs.
This aligns with Toyota’s framing of the vehicle as fit-for-purpose, bolstered by a year-long BHP trial reporting no downtime under extreme heat, dust and humidity.
The electric version of the Toyota HiLux SR5 will have a driving range of 315km (NEDC). Image features diesel SR5.
What is the towing capacity and payload of new electric Toyota HiLux?
While final figures will be confirmed closer to launch, the 2026 Toyota HiLux BEV is likely to have a payload of approximately 715kg and a braked towing capacity of 2000kg.
This is down on the segment-benchmark 3500kg braked towing available in the standard diesel HiLux but aligned with the anticipated deployment of the vehicle on sites.
Gross combined mass (GCM) and other key weights are also yet to be revealed.
More: The best utes and SUVs for towing a caravan
Is the 2026 Toyota HiLux any good off-road?
The Toyota HiLux BEV offers the same class-leading 700mm wading depth, 29-degree approach and 25-degree departure angles and 218mm ground clearance as its diesel siblings.
Its full-time 4WD system should see it tackle challenging terrain too, while its selectable drive modes will assist with progress in more rugged areas.
An upgraded interior is featured across the new Toyota HiLux range.
What safety and technology features on the new electric Toyota HiLux?
Every Toyota HiLux EV comes equipped with Toyota’s latest Safety Sense suite, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, lane trace assist, automatic high beam and road sign recognition.
The multimedia system features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, voice recognition and satellite navigation.
As with the standard new HiLux, expect important technology such as eCall and breakdown assistance as well as a host of connected vehicle tools which have been added to HiLux for the new generation and include remote start.
More: What is eCall and how crash detection technology can save lives
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