Toyota Hilux EV First Drive: Is This Really A Hilux?

Toyota has actually electrified the Hilux. No, actually.

For decades, the Hilux has actually developed a track record as one of the hardest and most trustworthy pickups on the planet. From farms and constructing websites to a few of the harshest environments imaginable, it's made a devoted following by just finishing the job.

Now Toyota has taken that formula and added a battery.

In this video, Nicki Shields gets behind the wheel of the brand new Toyota Hilux EV to learn whether an electric pickup can still measure up to the Hilux name. With dual-motor four-wheel drive, major off-road credentials and Toyota's famous sturdiness, it certainly looks the part. But with a declared variety of simply 159 miles and decreased towing and payload figures, there are some essential concerns to address.

Can it still deal with hard terrain? Does the minimal variety matter in the real life? And who precisely is Toyota structure this electrical Hilux for?

Join Nicki in Bulgaria as she puts Toyota's very first electrical Hilux through its speeds both on and off-road.

#ToyotaHiluxEV #HiluxEV #ToyotaHilux #ElectricPickup #PickupTruck #EVReview #OffRoad #Toyota #ElectricVehicle

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MORE ABOUT ELECTRIFYING.COM. Electrifying.com is the # 1 destination for electric cars and truck evaluations, explainers and guides. Established by Ginny Buckley, we bring you the current updates on EVs and in-depth reviews of the hottest brand-new models. Whether you're switching to electric or simply curious, our plain-English guides and expert advice make it simple to navigate the world of electrical cars. Stay notified, make positive choices, and sign up with the electrical revolution with Electrifying.com! #ElectricCars #EVReviews #SwitchToElectric #GinnyBuckley #NicolaHume #nickishields. 0:00 A Very Baffled Start
. 0:34 Why The Hilux Became A Legend. 0:59 Toyota Did The Unthinkable: An Electric Hilux.

1:21 Battery, Motors & The 159-Mile Variety. 1:39 The Huge Range Issue
. 2:05 Who Is The Hilux EV Really For? 2:23 Charging Speed & Toyota's Technique.
2:54 Outside Style: Still Looks Like A Hilux. 3:42 Wading Depth & Off-Road Credentials. 4:14 Driving Impressions On The Road.
4:43 Trip Convenience & The Empty Load Problem.
5:16 Regenerative Braking Explained.
5:37 Efficiency & Power Figures.
5:54 Time To Go Off-Road.
6:07 Ground Clearance & Breakover Angle. 6:49 Off-Road Modes & Traction Systems. 7:18 Permanent AWD Advantages. 7:42 Off-Road Test & Unforeseen Wildlife. 8:12 Interior Evaluation: More Premium Than Before.
8:58 Storage, Practicality & Tech.
10:11 Driving Controls & Off-Road Functions. 10:40 Load Bed Size & Payload Capability. 11:22 Towing Capacity: The Most Significant Compromise? 12:30 Making it through Toyota's Off-Road Course. 13:25 Verdict: Does It Still Seem Like A Hilux? 13:49 Price & Design Range. 14:12 Who Should Purchase The Hilux EV? 14:54 Running Costs, Warranty & Ownership. 15:08 Has The Electric Pickup Age Lastly Arrived?

Comments

24 responses to “Toyota Hilux EV First Drive: Is This Really A Hilux?”

  1. @dcvariousvids8082 Avatar
    @dcvariousvids8082

    HiLux used to be almost breakable but in the past eight or less years, they’ve becoming almost as bad as the Transit & Ranger. So making it electric, can only improve the HiLux. Ok, so it might not have the range of an ICEd one but it’ll probably have a longer lifespan than 80,000mi.

    1. @the_lost_navigator7266 Avatar
      @the_lost_navigator7266

      Get under it and add rust proofing.

  2. @Gamen4Bros Avatar
    @Gamen4Bros

    Early for once, the truck looks awesome!

    1. @SteveHiemstraAKAspeg Avatar
      @SteveHiemstraAKAspeg

      I gagged a bit. 🤮 Why is it so bulky at the front? Looks like a muffin on steroids.

  3. @burkaanc Avatar
    @burkaanc

    Wouldnt be surprised if this is lower effort option to get some but not too many electric hiluxes on the street to see how various things work and what people want, similarly to early bz4x

  4. @timmurphy5541 Avatar
    @timmurphy5541

    I don’t really see the point in Europe but I have travelled around Southern Africa in a 1990s Hilux and it was the perfect Africa vehicle. We really never needed 4×4 but high clearance, 5 seats and yet lots of storage for luggage made it excellent. This electric one …..well I’m glad it exists but …. what does anyone in Europe really need it for? In Africa ….well the places you want to go will have 240v charging at best. The looks of a vehicle like this are unimportant IMO – it was deliciously function rather than form in the past. This one doesn’t seem like it has much clearance so that’s an immediate negative. The fancy interior isn’t a plus – you really want easy to clean and robust.

  5. @grahammcdonald Avatar
    @grahammcdonald

    Looks cool, but these tall heavy vehicles what are they like for pedestrian safety?

  6. @DavidKent0407 Avatar
    @DavidKent0407

    It is more expensive and inferior in all measurable ways than the Geely Riddara RD6 Ute that sells here in New Zealand for $10-16,000 less.

  7. @simonsmith1746 Avatar
    @simonsmith1746

    Is Nicki wearing the HiLux tent option?

  8. @TomanswerAi Avatar
    @TomanswerAi

    That’s a baffling range for 2026 😂

    1. @kensmith5694 Avatar
      @kensmith5694

      Imagine that Toyota doesn’t want to make EVs and it makes sense

  9. @peterhollings309 Avatar
    @peterhollings309

    Australia gets quite a few ev pickups

  10. @spudbeach Avatar
    @spudbeach

    It’s too darn big! I’m going to hold out for the Telo or the Slate.

  11. @KarlBornmann Avatar
    @KarlBornmann

    We love them Diesel Jobs in South Africa. Brave new World.

  12. @GruffSillyGoat Avatar
    @GruffSillyGoat

    What’s the point of it?

    Toyota comes across as just avoiding committing to a battery EV pick-up with a decent battery size and range. Most likely in case it disrupts their dreams of a hydrogen vehicle revival.

    Their first hydrogen attempt lost out in the electrified passenger cars race to BEVs due to high vehicle purchase and service cost, lack of and costly hydrogen fueling solution, compromised cabin/storage space (due to bulky on board hydrogen vessels), and short lifetime (hydrogen vessels only certified for 14 years of use).

    Now they’re trying a second bite of the cherry in the larger commercial vehicle category for hydrogen vehicles, at the same time producing a rather compromised, and expensive, BEV option whose primary design aim seems to be to make their hydrogen model option appear to be a better choice.

    They might as well give up as the competition will eat them in the segment as well, with more able BEV vehicles at a lower price point. Brand loyalty will only last so long, particularly in the price sensitive commercial space.

  13. @Ashley.D Avatar
    @Ashley.D

    Struggling to think of a use-case that a PV5 doesn’t do better for a lot less money. Doesn’t have the massive loading door I suppose…

    1. @mikadavies660 Avatar
      @mikadavies660

      Exactly… The PV5 is brilliant and they are adding crew cabs, flat beds and pickups to the PV5 range. 👍

  14. @PaulPaul-fo8qj Avatar
    @PaulPaul-fo8qj

    Any pick up is of limited use in the UK.
    To build one that is best suited to city commutes is very bizarre… Unless you have government targets to meet 😮

  15. @andys5841 Avatar
    @andys5841

    If you’re a builder you want it to carry an 850kg tonne bag in the back, and this won’t do it, a bit too limited for general use.

  16. @kensmith5694 Avatar
    @kensmith5694

    Toyota doesn’t want to make EVs. The phrase “kicking and screaming” applies. This thing doesn’t have enough range, enough load rating or enough ability to tow and when it fails to sell we can expect to hear “See nobody wants EVs”.

  17. @rossbransby Avatar
    @rossbransby

    EV’s can make amazing off roaders, look at the Rivian for example, but this just seems hamstrung by trying to electrify an existing design rather than going for a ground up EV design.

  18. @timothyshanks6799 Avatar
    @timothyshanks6799

    Why put that out even. Put a massive battery in it and high speed charge it might be useful

  19. @FrutigerDark1 Avatar
    @FrutigerDark1

    “159 miles”

    Yeesh.

  20. @williampisano7573 Avatar
    @williampisano7573

    The range is a joke it’s like Toyota did not want to make a EV truck 🛻 basically Toyota copied ford mistake of build a EV truck 🛻 at least ford is smart enough to realize it mistake and cancel it and correct it with a EREV f-150 and a 100% EV designed truck mid size truck that will directly compete with Hilux but come with a 200 miles range and that’s a small battery a 300+ mile range larger battery lol 😂

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