Toyota has been testing a new SUV based on the ninth-generation Hilux BEV pickup, its first fully electric version. The Hilux is Toyota’s top-selling pickup globally and one of the most popular pickups in the world. For its ninth generation, Toyota is adding an all-electric version for the first time.
The Hilux is set to launch in Europe in April, with a camouflaged Toyota SUV, based on the same platform, recently spotted testing in Thailand. The mysterious SUV is thought to be the Toyota SW4, sold as the Fortuner in global markets.
Although it’s covered, you can see the design takes cues from the new Hilux, with slim LED headlights linked to a light bar and a redesigned rear end. This suggests that the electric SUV will share many design elements with its gas-powered counterpart.
While Toyota has yet to reveal any details, since the SW4 is based on the same body-on-frame IMV platform as the Hilux, it could be offered with electric, hybrid, diesel, and hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains. This flexibility in powertrain options will likely appeal to a wide range of customers.
The electric Hilux BEV is powered by a 59.2 kWh lithium-ion battery, delivering a WLTP range of up to 257 km (160 miles). In the city, Toyota said it can achieve a WLTP range of 380 km (236 miles). Its all-wheel-drive setup delivers a combined 473 Nm of torque.
This impressive range and torque output make the electric Hilux BEV an attractive option for customers who need to haul heavy loads or tow large trailers. The SUV's payload capacity of 715 kg (1,576 lb) is also noteworthy.
The Toyota SW4, or Fortuner in global markets, will likely feature a similar setup to the new Hilux, with dual 12.3″ driver displays and central multimedia screens. However, it’s unclear whether the electric variant will retain its diesel engine or switch to an electric powertrain.
Toyota is also expanding its electric SUV lineup, with four fully electric models set to launch by the end of the year, including the three-row Highlander EV. This move suggests that Toyota is committed to electrifying its entire lineup in the coming years.
The electric Hilux BEV-based SUV will likely play a key role in Toyota's efforts to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. As the automotive industry continues to shift towards more sustainable options, companies like Toyota are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.
The electric pickup segment is gaining momentum, and Toyota's entry into this market with the Hilux BEV-based SUV will likely put pressure on competitors to follow suit.
