The updated and refreshed 2021 Toyota Hilux makes its world debut in Thailand, Australia, and other markets. This is not an all-new truck with drastically new design and style. It’s an iterative improvement on the current popular truck and ute that is sold around the globe – outside of the United States. Can we glean anything from this changes about a future Toyota Tacoma for the U.S? Let’s see.
2021 Toyota Hilux
The new Hilux gets an upgraded 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine that produces about 15% more power than before. The new power rating is close to 201 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This 2.8-liter or the 2.4-liter diesel engines have not been offered in the United States, and we do not expect these to make the trip to our shores.
The springs and shocks on the new Hilux are tuned for better ride quality on rough road or with light loads. We know that the Hilux has to do not some heavy lifting in the markets where it’s sold. It means, the Hilux suspension has been tuned for heavier loads. This new suspension tuning seems to put more emphasis on a more comfortable ride without load. As the Hilux gets more popular, perhaps the customer requirement are also changing. More of these trucks are driving around bigger cities with not much load in them.
The truck has an updated 8-inch infotainment system with available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The trucks gets updated front fascia, lights, and styling updates in the back as well.
At this time, it is not clear what elements on this new 2021 Hilux could make it onto the next generation of the Tacoma. Perhaps some of the interior components and the headlight / tail-light design could be on the list of changes. We will have to wait and see.
