Toyota has finally electrified the Hilux… and after driving it off-road, I finally understand why some traditional four-wheel-drivers might be nervous. At the official launch, I grabbed the keys and put a BEV Hilux through steep climbs, loose terrain and technical sections designed to show that the Hilux is still a kiwi farm favourite, being able to boldly go anywhere in comfort with a level of control that - as you can see in the video - almost borders on ridiculous. No gearbox juggling. No turbo lag. No hunting for the right ratio or battling with diff locks. Just instant torque and point-and-go simplicity. There's no other way to say it: it really does feel like cheating. I planned to talk mainly about price, range and specs but after just a few minutes on the off-road course, I soon found myself showing off how easy off-roading has now become, thanks to dual electric motors and intelligent software replacing cogs, clutches and levers. My only regret is that I didn't have more time to play! The part that seemed to surprise both the petrol-heads and EV enthusiasts alike at the event was how surreal it felt to climb silently up embankments with no noise but total control, letting the computers deliver controlled power to each wheel more precisely than a human driver could manage, all while minimising damage to paddocks and farm tracks by limiting wheelspin through intelligent software. All this happens without the driver having to think. The only complaints after experiencing a range of terrains are that the ride in the BEV version is noticeably firmer than the mild hybrid diesel Hiluxes when unsprung, as utes tend to be, and that the estimated range per charge of around 260 km may not be enough to win over the hardest of combustion fans, and that the initial purchase price for the BEV version may be higher than what some Hilux buyers are willing to pay. Regardless, whether you love EVs or came here to defend diesel in the comments, in terms of off-road ability, no one can deny that this battery powered version is definitely a 100%, true-blue Hilux. 📽️IN THIS VIDEO: 0:00 - Introduction & Price 2:02 - Climbing wet grass 3:15 - Uneven ground 4:20 - Wheels off the ground 4:55 - Range estimations 6:00 - Drive modes to the rescue 7:08 - Hill descent control 7:58 - Utes in the city? 9:35 - Approach & departure angles 10:45 - Road driving & cornering 12:20 - Walk-around 14:02 - Interior 💚MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO: Riddara RD6 review and off-road challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZdLyDb0f0I BYD Shark 6 review and off-road challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIJa4B-J3uE Subaru Solterra review and off-road challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ2IGw_HqHw ⚡JOIN US: Keen on cutting your carbon footprint while getting great prices on electricity? Join us at Ecotricity! Switch today and join the good fight: https://www.ecotricity.co.nz 🌏MORE ECOTRICITY CONTENT: Facebook: / ecotricitynz TikTok: / ecotricitynz Instagram: / ecotricity_nz DISCLAIMER: This video is produced by Ecotricity NZ and is not sponsored by any brands mentioned.
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MG U9 coming to Australia soon nearly twice the power, twice the range and 3500kg tow capacity. Do Toyota not look at what the competition are doing?
Wet grass? Looked like a track to me!
can you give the car at least a challenge, this tracks i do with my corolla 96 with eyes closed
Loved the end showing all the utes parked like utes. Diagonally across the spaces so they couldn't all park. [chef's kiss]
That range is ridiculously low. That's what happens when you don't build from the ground up.
Well, it is Hilux running gear after all. Going further and towing more calls for a bigger truck. But for a farmer who already a stock rig, running around the property or to town on backyard solar is a good move.
that range is ridiculous with all the Chinese are coming out with 500 to 800km now
In Australia, it has a maximum capacity of 240 km which isn’t very much to drive anywhere or do anything and that’s in an ideal testing environment. Once you start adding people and payload and wind resistance, and you put the heater on in the rain, you’ll probably go 50 kg before you have to recharge
Whilst it is nice to see Toyota entering the BEV arena, couple of issues for me, range and towing, being the first two that come to mind. I am going to say nice first try Toyota but really not good enough.
Impressive, but Toyota are kidding themselves with the range. Triple it and you have my attention again.
The range is disappointing. Might be aright for round town tradies.
~200 km range BEFORE towing is shockingly bad. Not a Toyota specific problem but a problem nevertheless. What's the range going to be towing 2 tonnes?
That proximity alarm going off every 5 seconds tho...
I have a strange feeling I have never felt before - the feeling of wanting a Hilux
I've been waiting for the reviews to finally hit YT (big thanks!). I have no issue with the range, its designed to be Toyota reliable for local regional work. If I had the $$$ & wasn't worried about depreciation, I'd take this over a diesel variant hands down.
Looking forward to a full review when you get the opportunity, Gav 🙂Be interesting to see the spud score - does the tray count? 😀 This will definitely be a hit with the "Remuera Tractor" crowd, guessing rural types would probably go for a hybrid version.
We have a dual cab ute for carting our Dogs around the country for competitions. We use our BYD Dolphin for day to day driving , the Ute is deisel and costs a lot to run around town. Our ute is used for LONG HIGHWWAY trips , usually 4-500Km in the morning and another 3-400km in the afternoon towing our small 1800kg van, to get home from a dog trial at 780km from home. So 1 stop between start and lunch would be OK, so 250km between charges , when towing a van at 110km/h is the minimum requirement.
This course seems to be have been curated by Toyota.
Great to see Toyota finally stepping up in the EV market. I'm still looking forward to an EV sedan from them.
The price tag is insane for a Hilux, do you think it is better than a BYD Shark?