New Hilux driven at Toyota Matsuri

We headed down to the festival to get a closer look at the newly designed flagship workhorses and took a brief, initial drive to see if South Africa's favourite bakkie still rules the roost. Spoiler alert: It has evolved into a far smarter, sharper machine.

Design

The first thing that hits you when you see the new Hilux in the metal—especially the striking orange double cab showcased at Matsuri—is the aggressive new front fascia. Guided by Toyota’s new "Cyber-Sumo" design philosophy, the bakkie ditches the traditional face for a massive, interlocking hexagonal grille and a deeply sculpted front bumper.

The swept-back LED headlamps and aggressive black cladding around the fog light housings give it more road presence. It looks wide, muscular, and reminiscent of its larger American sibling, the Tundra.

Around the back, the changes are more subtle. The charcoal grey Raider X Xtra-Cab model on display highlighted a revised rear tailgate structure, featuring prominent "TOYOTA" block lettering stamped across the tailgate, paired with redesigned, sharper LED taillights. From workhorse to weekend overlander, the aesthetic upgrades elevate the Hilux into the modern era.

Step inside

Historically, the Hilux has been praised for functionality rather than cutting-edge cabin tech. The new Hilux looks to change this. Stepping inside the cabin reveals a modernised dashboard architecture. The old integrated setup makes way for a dual-display cockpit. A larger central touchscreen infotainment system handling wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto takes centre stage, accompanied by a digital instrument cluster for the driver.

Ergonomics have been vastly improved, and the integration of Toyota Connect services makes the cabin feel like an SUV rather than a utilitarian bakkie. Material quality feels robust yet tactile, striking a balance between luxury and the wash-and-wear appeal Hilux owners demand.

How does it drive?

Our time behind the wheel at Matsuri was brief, but it yielded some immediate revelations. While the 2.8-litre GD-6 turbodiesel engine remains the beating heart of the upper-tier range, the mechanical enhancements beneath the skin are where the changes have happened.

Toyota has retuned the suspension suspension bushes and spring rates, and critically, introduced a heavily revised electric power steering (EPS) system.

• The result? The traditionally heavy, slightly agricultural steering feel of old is gone. Around the tight corners, the steering feels light, more precise, and up to par with its contemporaries.

• Ride comfort: Unladen bakkies are notorious for a bouncy rear end, but the revised suspension tuning damping improves things noticeably.

Toyota also highlighted the rollout of its 48V Mild-Hybrid (MHEV) tech across the 2.8 automatic range, which promises a 5% improvement in fuel efficiency and a smoother stop/start experience in traffic.

Tech and Safety

The new Hilux is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3, which introduces a comprehensive suite of driver assists, including:

• Pre-Collision Braking

• Adaptive Cruise Control

• Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert

• Safe Exit Assist

• A  360-degree panoramic view monitor (a lifesaver when navigating tight off-road trails or parking spaces at the mall).

Verdict

The Ninth-Generation Toyota Hilux officially goes on sale in June 2026.

By blending its legendary Quality, Durability, and Reliability (QDR) with an entirely new look and a genuinely tech-forward cabin, Toyota has done what it needed to ensure the new model continues its sales dominance. It is modern, smarter, and more refined than ever before. Ford and Isuzu, you have officially been warned.

Stay tuned to AutoTrader for our upcoming, in-depth road test where we put the new Hilux through its paces on a long-distance trek.