Toyota Hilux Hybrid (2025) Review

Introduction

The Toyota Hilux has been around for what feels like forever – in fact, in a few years, it'll celebrate its 60th birthday. In the decades since, it’s sold well over 25 million examples.

It is the second most popular pick-up worldwide, behind the (inevitably) American Ford F-Series (although some exclude the F-Series, given it refers to more than one truck). Still, given that over 95% of F-Series models are sold in the USA, the Hilux can make a credible claim to the number one spot amongst the rest of the world.

With over a total of eight generations to date, it’s proven its near-indestructibility in numerous guises, with combinations of petrol and diesel engines of all shapes and sizes. But, as electrification becomes more commonplace, the Hilux has never been a hybrid - until now.

The recent ushering in of a hybrid powertrain promises a new era for the rough, rugged beast of the off-road course. Or does it? After all, it's based on an engine that has already existed in its range for several years. And, when you look closely, it’s difficult to see what this so-called ‘48V Hybrid’ model actually does.

Is there a catch? We have taken one for a test run to find out.

At A Glance

Given that pick-up trucks tend to have a specific, consistent shape, it's easier to look at the Hilux's distinguishable features.

The front boasts a cladded grille surround, almost looking like a goatee, split in the middle by a horizontal piece of cladding that separates the upper and lower grilles. Just beneath the top of the grille surround, there’s a silver bar, bringing attention to the Toyota badge, which divides the bar.

The headlights have a distinctive frown to them, while beneath, the bodywork is chiselled with fake air intakes, which house fog lights on higher models.

Around the sides, the bodywork is smooth, apart from a crease towards the bottom of the doors, while thick cladding moves its way around the wheel arches.

The rear features ‘E’- and ‘3’-shaped red taillights, the gaps created by them allowing room for squarer indicators and reversing lights.

The tailgate is flat and vertical, underneath which there’s a thick cladded bumper with a cutout in the middle, accommodating the number plate.

It is hard to call a pick-up truck pretty – such a term would likely offend it. The Hilux looks tough and rugged, and ready to tackle any terrain thrown at it.

Key Features

The hybrid model we’re focusing on is only available in one trim: the Invincible X.

It comes with 18-inch black alloys, an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, black leather upholstery, a rear-view camera, heated seats, automatic dual-zone air conditioning, and privacy glass.

You also get keyless entry and go, front and rear parking sensors, a black front spoiler, dark grey rear bumper styling, a front underrun, six speakers, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, and blue ambient lighting. LED lights and daytime running lights are also included.

All Hilux trucks, including our 48V Hybrid, feature all-wheel drive. This model is equipped with a mild-hybrid (MHEV) powertrain, comprising a 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 204PS, paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Find out more about hybrid vehicles in our guide to hybrid electric vehicles (HEV).

This Hilux is only offered as a double cab, which has an impact on it's Benefit in Kind tax classification. We will examine that later on, though.

Performance & Drive

As we’re testing the 48V Hybrid, it commits us to the Invincible X trim – the only grade it’s offered with.

The top speed is 109mph – and zero to 62mph takes 10.7 seconds, which is hardly a pacey time. But then, pick-up trucks aren't exactly built for speed (unless taking part in a rally, it would seem).

Our test truck’s hybrid system’s tiny electric motor aids smoother acceleration, helps it idle for longer in traffic, and improves fuel consumption. Or, at least, that’s the theory.

The limited-slip differential aids traction off-road, while Toyota's Multi-Terrain Select system is now available and exclusive to the 48V Hybrid. This provides a range of modes depending on which surface you’re travelling on, including an automatic mode.

The automatic transmission is smooth and refined, and although any diesel lump sounds a bit rattly, the Hilux’s powertrain rarely gets excessively loud, unless you command every dollop of poke it’s got with your right foot.

Toyota, though, claims that the Hilux drives like a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) – but we’d argue that, if you want an SUV driving experience, you’re better off leasing an actual SUV.

Yes, the ride doesn’t feel excessively bouncy, nor does it seem utilitarian in terms of feeling ungainly to ride along in. But any vehicle with the ground clearance of a pick-up truck is going to have a higher centre of gravity than any SUV and, quite simply, is always going to feel like a pick-up truck.

Nevertheless, Toyota deserves praise for the level of refinement it's managed to engineer into the Hilux. Still, it can’t deliver the level of ride comfort or handling you’d expect from an SUV. The Ford Ranger, by comparison, puts up a more spirited fight against standard SUVs when cornering.

If you're looking for a capable off-roader, you'll be pleased to know that the Hilux performs very well, especially when all-wheel drive is engaged. The body-on-frame architecture and ladder frame chassis are integral to the Hilux's strength, durability, and torsional rigidity. The rear suspension, equipped with robust leaf springs and twin shock absorbers, ensures reliable off-road performance.

Indeed, the Hilux's "go-anywhere" credentials are further enhanced by a ground clearance of 310mm and approach and departure angles of 29 and 27 degrees, respectively. What’s more, the Hilux can lug up to 3,500kg (braked).

Running Costs & Emissions

Toyota says that one of the benefits of the 48V Hybrid Hilux is a more fuel-efficient drive. The problem is that’s not always the case.

All Hilux powertrains have MPG returns in the high 20s to early 30s. The official MPG figures for the 48V Hybrid are 27.9 to 30.1, with CO2 numbers up to 265g/km.

In terms of road tax (VED), the Hilux enjoys a flat-rate for LCVs - so it's £345 a year with no big first-year hit and no expensive car uplift.

There's less good news, however, if you're running the Hilux as a company car (and it's going to see any private use). Since April 2025, double-cab pick-ups have been reclassified as cars, rather than commercial vehicles, as they used to be. That means company car Benefit in Kind (BIK) rules apply. The previous flat rate has disappeared and been replaced with one based on emissions. And that's going to make the Hilux pricier to run than an electric equivalent. For a full explainer on BIK rules for pick-ups, head here. 

There is better news, reliability-wise, as Toyota enjoys a stellar reputation. Indeed, the Japanese automaker often comes at – or near – the top of vehicle dependability surveys.

Interior & Technology

The Toyota Hilux’s interior is somewhat disappointing, and there's not much to shout about.

Why? Well, it lacks the contemporary touches you’d find in modern cabins, with the shape of the dashboard and the materials looking rather dated.

Bits of silver decor, the go-to colour of most manufacturers to brighten things up, are distinctly lacking, leaving the interior looking and feeling rather drab. It is not terrible by any stretch, but a Volkswagen Amarok’s presentation looks luxurious by comparison.

Everything is plastic, and there’s a complete lack of plush, soft materials. Yes, Toyota will say that’s intentional – this is a rugged off-roader after all – but it risks making the cabin look excessively cheap while foes saunter off into the distance with their niceties.

The layout of certain plastics also appears inconsistent, with some elements looking ill-fitting in terms of their finish when placed next to one another.

The infotainment screen is only eight inches, which is tiny by modern standards (you can get up to a 12.0-inch screen in both the Amarok and a Ford Ranger), and the system itself is poor, outdated and sluggish. However, thankfully, the Hilux 48V Hybrid, on test here, comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There is no full-size digital instrument display, but you do get a small, 4.2-inch screen between the analogue dials, which lists some helpful information.

At least one consolation of the outdated infotainment unit is that physical controls are fully retained for the air conditioning system - that in itself is refreshing.

There is also the MyToyota smartphone app, meaning you can lock and unlock the Hilux from your phone and manage the air-con to cool or warm the cabin before your trip. Additionally, the app provides important vehicle information and can be used for scheduling services and setting reminders.

Otherwise, rawness, simplicity and ruggedness are at the heart of a Hilux, and some may argue that it wouldn’t be a Toyota Hilux if it had the same level of modernity as most cars. Yet that hasn’t stopped competitors from doing so – and Toyota has tried to bring a modern, SUV-style touch with things like ambient lighting and improved drivability.

The harsh reality is that it can't hope to please everyone, and the Hilux has ended up with a bit of a mishmash of everything as a result.

Practicality & Boot Space

Finding a comfortable driving position in the Toyota Hilux is okay as we get electric seat adjustment in our Invincible X 2.8-litre 48V test truck.

You are perched fairly high up, so you get a commanding view of the road ahead. Meanwhile, the windscreen is swept back, and the front pillars aren’t particularly thick, which helps forward visibility and your view at junctions.

It is not too bad out of the rear of the Toyota, though, of course, if you're reversing towards something quite close, the bed of the truck will get in the way of anything lower to the ground. Thankfully, a rear-view camera is included, which does help your confidence when backing up.

In terms of space, you’ll have no issues with headroom or legroom in the front seats. And, as we have a double cab, we also get three seats in the back of the Hilux.

The rear seats aren't exceptionally comfortable, partly because the backs are vertical, but there's plenty of headroom, although legroom might be a little tight if you’re a grown-up and sit behind someone taller than six feet. Likewise, three adults sitting next to each other will feel a bit squeezed.

There are plenty of storage spaces inside the Toyota's cabin, but some are a bit on the small side, though you do get two glove compartments.

On the outside, the new Hilux Hybrid 48V has a substantial street presence, measuring 5,325mm in length, up to 1,900mm in width, and 1,865mm in height.

It is a practical pick-up, paired with a 1,555mm long bed. The mild hybrid system doesn't compromise its load-carrying capability, either: the payload is 1,040kg, and, as mentioned earlier, the towing capacity is 3,500kg.

Safety

The latest Toyota Hilux hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP yet.

The old Hilux earned a three-star score, but that was back in 2016, so the rating has long since expired, and Euro NCAP's testing criteria have changed significantly since then. Most Toyotas comfortably score four or five-star ratings nowadays, though.

The Hilux has also been more recently tested by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), where it achieved the maximum five stars. 

The Hilux comes with automatic emergency braking and Toyota Safety Sense, which includes a pre-collision system, along with adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, road sign assist, and automatic high beam.

The enhanced pre-collision system can effectively detect pedestrians at night, cyclists during the day, and oncoming vehicles or pedestrians at intersections. When it identifies such hazards, the system provides audible and visual alerts before applying the brakes if necessary.

Adaptive cruise control with road sign assist enables you to quickly adjust your speed in response to changes in the speed limit. The technology can also automatically slow the Hilux, ensuring that you maintain an appropriate speed while navigating bends.

When driving in the dark, the automatic high beam function eliminates the need for manual switching of headlight levels to avoid dazzling other drivers. It detects approaching vehicles and adjusts the lights precisely and instantly, maximising high beam use when it's safe to do so.

Trailer sway control, active traction control, and hill start assist are also included.

Options

There is no shortage of optional extras for the Toyota Hilux.

Various bed liners, utility boxes or sliding deck floors can be added, along with covers, floor mats and tow bars.

There are also packs for off-roading, which include guards and protectors, a full Protection Pack which offers even more shielding against the elements, and a Transport Pack which comprises roof rails and crossbars.

More aesthetically focused upgrades include different alloy wheels, sports bars, chrome and black styling packs. Various accessories are also offered, including dash cams.

Body colours include the default crimson red, along with white, white pearl, silver, orange, dark grey, black and bronze.

Rival Cars

There are several pick-up truck rivals to the Toyota Hilux.

The Ford Ranger, Volkswagen Amarok and the KGM (formerly SsangYong) Musso are all worthy of consideration.

The much-improved Isuzu D-Max should also be on your leasing radar.

Alternatively, there’s the Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster, but it’s very expensive.

Then there’s the Maxus eTERRON 9 - a fully electric pick-up truck, although it’s also considerably pricier than the Toyota Hilux Hybrid 48V.

Verdict & Next Steps

The Toyota Hilux Hybrid 48V is an excellent pick-up – if it's serving its true purpose.

It is rugged and features an interior that is okay, if dated and bland, and offers plenty of usable features that outperform the competition, such as its high towing capacity.

We recommend leasing the 48V Hybrid we tested – but only if you're off-roading, so you can take advantage of Toyota's exclusive Multi-Terrain Select System, which is available only on the hybrid. If you’re not off-roading, though, there’s little benefit to this.

The Invincible X trim we tested has some nice features, but in all honesty, if you’re leasing this thinking it's like an SUV on the tarmac, you’ll be disappointed and may regret not choosing a vehicle like a Ford or Volkswagen.

If you don’t need a pick-up at all, and if you aren’t going off-roading, then a proper

SUV will be much more refined than this – it’ll handle better, be more comfortable

and offer far superior fuel consumption to the Hilux.

Nevertheless, the Toyota lives up to its reputation as a tough, durable and rugged

workhorse with many improvements over its predecessor.

Indeed, the Hilux remains one of the best pick-up trucks on the market – and Toyota’s excellent reliability record only makes it more attractive to lease.

It is just a shame that Toyota has missed out on an opportunity to really bring it into the modern day.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Toyota Hilux Pick Up.

**Correct as of 17/11/2025. Based on 12 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 12 monthly payments, or £5,721.72 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.