Since the nameplate’s debut in 1968, the Hilux has earned the trust of customers in over 195 countries as a symbol of reliability and endurance. Designed and engineered to be all-around usable—durable for heavy-duty tasks, yet comfortable for urban driving, and capable for light adventure, the Hilux has been long considered as a “Partner for Life.”
When the Hilux shifted onto the IMV or Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle platform in 2004, the highly adaptive global platform helped regionalize the Hilux’s development. Each iteration since represents the accumulated years of listening, learning, and developing vehicles that truly serves the needs and requirements of its customers.
Ms. Anyarat Sutthibenjakul, Regional Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Asia Co., Ltd. revealed, “For the new model, we travelled extensively across the region from the deserts of the Middle East, the highlands of South America, to the bush of Africa, to the outback of Australia and the icy extremes of Europe. Every market is unique. We learned from the roads, climates, and customer lifestyles—and those insights became our ‘blueprint.’ That’s why we have developed the new Hilux regionally to tailor to local conditions while upholding Toyota’s global standards in safety and performance.”
Toyota refers to this practice as, “Genchi Genbutsu,” a unique company philosophy where they evaluate things with their own eyes and ears. It’s a way for them to understand and respond to customers’ needs, whoever and wherever they are. It’s for this reason why the Hilux remains relevant, dependable, and grounded in real needs.
Despite this, the platform itself has received internet flak and for good reason. The IMV platform is over 20 years old, and to some, it might be showing signs of being long in the tooth. Toyota, however, thinks differently. The carmaker points to a Japanese principle—Monozukuri—which is a synthesis of technological expertise, skill, and a dedication to continuous improvement towards one goal: perfection.
As such, Toyota believes there’s still some potential left in the IMV platform to further refine its comfort, refinement, and even safety performance.
For the 9th generation Hilux, Toyota reveals that the platform’s body in white (the basic skeletal structure) is lighter, yet more rigid than the current Hilux. It features more spot welds, particularly in the floor for added strength.
From there, Toyota has opted to employ different suspension tunings across the range. Fleet-oriented models, for example, have their independent Double Wishbone and rear Leaf Spring suspension geared for heavy load carrying and towing. On the other hand, lifestyle-oriented variants feature what’s called, at least in Thailand, Dynamic Cloud technology which uses different spring rates and an optimized suspension stroke for enhanced riding comfort.
There are also new hydraulic engine mounts and shear-type cabin mounts to help further reduce vibrations. Even the front suspension tower thickness has been increased and the number of fitting bolts increased from three to four to quell unwanted vibrations and to accommodate the new electric power steering system. The two frontal frame cross members have also been revised for better crash safety. To cap it all off, the seat mounting and seat design has been changed to improve ergonomics and comfort.
These detail changes pale in comparison to what Toyota has managed to show in terms of the IMV’s flexibility and almost future-proof nature.
With this generation, Toyota unveiled a battery electric version of the Hilux for the first-time. And unlike other pickup trucks which have been compromised in its combustion engine to all-electric transformation, the Hilux EV keeps all of its design parameters intact—be it performance, suspension articulation, water wading, payload, and towing. And if that’s not enough, Toyota has confirmed that a fuel cell version of the Hilux is coming in 2028, further demonstrating that the IMV still has a story to tell for the foreseeable future.
Any news regarding next gen Fortuner? Apparantly it is being discontinued for the Australian market. I expected the Australian market to be the biggest driver to make the Fortuner a better product (aussie market is a much more competitive landscape, where product quality and substance is much more important than image or status - image and status is why the Fortuner sells so well in 3rd world markets) but instead, it is being discontinued there. This tells me that Toyota might not have a next generation Fortuner in the works, and will probably stick with the current gen since it is still perfect for its intended markets and outselling its competitors by a huge margin.
ReplyDeleteLike the Innova (not Zenix). Toyota will no longer introduce a new version of it, maybe just give light updates. PPV market is shrinking anyways, so Toyota may have realized that making a new PPV would be not be worth the R&D costs.
DeleteToyota will still release a next generation Toyota Fortuner around late 2026 or 2027 as this SUV Is still popular in Indian and SEA countries.
DeleteToyota Australia removed the Fortuner due to the very poor sales of that PPV SUV as buyers in Australia would rather buy a Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X which are way more refined and better overall than the aging Fortuner.
When they introduced the wide track width version of the Hilux Conquest 4x4 (and GR-Sport), I thought it was Toyota preparing that setup for the new generation. Alas, they have ditched it completely lol. That was probably the biggest improvement in the way the IMV platform drives but they removed it. This makes me really doubtful of the so-called "improvements" that Toyota made with this platform when they are not even building on top of the best version of the outgoing generation.
ReplyDeleteSo that explains the same dimensions as the current hilux. I have trust issues about toyota saying "improved". Sana lang bumawi sa overall performance tong bagong hilux na to. Even though i'm a toyota fan but i hate it when the brand only holds the term reliable and just giving its costumers a bare minimum with a d*mn high price.
ReplyDeleteA disappointment. Body is still the same. More of a facelift than a new model. While reliability is a given for Toyota, expectations were improvement in looks and interior feel that would be better than the current Ford Ranger.
ReplyDeleteInterior is new as in it looked modern as in LC 250 ish... But the ride should be the same as before.
ReplyDelete