The Toyota Hilux is a compact pickup truck sold by the Japanese Automaker in many markets worldwide. The moniker was introduced back in 1968 and continues to run successfully to date. It was sold in the States when it was introduced, but the company pulled it out after eight years in 1976 and replaced it with the rather generic “Truck” badge. We do have its twin here sold since 1995, called the Tacoma.

The Hilux is presently in its eighth-generation that was launched in 2017. While the next-gen Hilux is expected to arrive in 2023, a mid-cycle refresh was on the cards for later this year. However, a website called Milele Motors has published images of the 2021 Hilux, although CarAdvice mentions that these could just be renderings based on the Hilux facelift.

The 2021 Toyota Hilux Looks A Lot Sharper And Bolder

The upcoming Hilux is said to be inspired by the U.S.-based Tacoma and Tundra. However, what we see in the images here is an exaggeration of the facelift. In these images, you can see the Hilux with a big nose and sharp design cues on the face. Milele also mentioned that it’ll ride on either 17-inch or 18-inch Aluminum wheels. Chrome elements are reserved for the higher trims.

The website lists that there are two headlight designs. The lower trims will receive a halogen + LED combination, whereas the higher trims will feature full-LED ‘Bi-Beam’ setup. Two new colors – Oxide Bronze and Dark Blue – are also listed alongside the standard palette. The taillights are also revised, but the rest of the truck looks similar.

The Hilux is the best-selling vehicle in Australia for four consecutive years now. It is sold in different body configurations across the lineup and features three engine options as well. The same engine with a manual gearbox generates 174 ponies and 310 pound-feet of torque. The facelift is expected to receive a power bump.

Toyota GR Hilux Is Coming!

Earlier this month, news about the GR Hilux had surfaced the internet. This high-performance truck will reportedly take on the Ford Ranger Raptor with a V-6 engine borrowed from the upcoming 2021 LandCruiser 300 Series. According to Carsguide.com.au, the LandCruiser 300 will feature this new engine and is likely to share it with other products in the lineup. Currently, the V-8 diesel engine in the LandCruiser 200 Series makes 268 horses and 479 pound-feet of torque. It is also expected to receive stronger brakes, suspension and chassis upgrades, and differentiating design elements from the standard Hilux. The outlet believes that the new V-6 will either exceed or will at least match these figures, so expect the GR Hilux to be way more powerful than the current tamed-version with the four-cylinder mill.

Final Thoughts

The Hilux is a very important product for Toyota in Australia, so you can expect a lot of changes with the facelift. However, CarAdvice mentioned that “the showroom versions may not be quite as dramatic" as what has been depicted in these images. The renderings published by Milele Motors are believed to have been inspired by confidential internal illustrations of possible Toyota HiLux design themes. So, take it with a pinch of salt, and let’s wait for the official images to appear.

As for the inspiration and resemblance with the Tacoma, there are rumors that Toyota is planning to unify the two badges. Perhaps, this is the first step in that direction. What are your thoughts about these renderings of the 2021 Hilux? Share them with us in the comments section below.