2026 Toyota HiLux details for Australia exposed months before global reveal

Higher-output 2.8-litre turbo-diesel power could be standard in every 2026 Toyota HiLux, details published on a publicly-accessible Federal Government database overnight have hinted.

The paperwork suggests it would form part of a streamlined HiLux line-up that the paperwork suggests could add 48-volt 'mild-hybrid' technology to most high-grade models, but ditch petrol power in the cheapest model – and the extra-cab body style.

Such a move could push the price of Toyota's cheapest cab-chassis ute from $27,730 plus on-road costs today, to close to $35,000.

Documentation published on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts' ROVER database overnight has revealed key information about a HiLux 'AN2', believed to be the new, as-yet-unseen model.

The paperwork – in effect from September 29, 2025 – does not name it as the new model, but the timing of its filing suggests so, as does a string of model variant codes commencing with 'GUN2', compared to 'GUN1' on today's model.

It is common for documentation such as this – which confirms the vehicle meets Australian motor-vehicle standards – to be published before a new model arrives in showrooms, but it would be almost unheard of for it to leak before a vehicle is revealed globally.

Toyota Australia has been contacted for comment on the information.

Detailed, speculative analysis of the paperwork by Drive – using the model codes of today's HiLux to decode the designations listed for the 'AN2' – suggests the new HiLux is slated for a shrunken line-up, ditching the base 2.7-litre petrol engine, and the extra-cab body.

It is evidenced by all model codes starting with 'GUN' – referencing the brand's 'GD' diesel engine series, rather than 'TUN' prefixes for the petrol engine today – as well as either 'BT' (single-cab) or 'DT' (dual-cab) later in their designations, without 'CT', which is Toyota-speak for an extra-cab.

Many of the details in the Federal Government filing are currently hidden from public view, including how much power the engine will produce in each of its forms, compared to the current automatic HiLux SR5's 150kW/500Nm.

What remains to be seen is whether the 2.4-litre continues into the new range, or – as analysis of the documentation hints – the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel in today's high-grade models could become standard across the model range.

It would mirror the Mitsubishi Triton's move to standard twin-turbo diesel power for the latest model, skipping the less powerful single-turbo options offered overseas that would have once powered entry-level variants.

A clue is in the final page of the paperwork, which makes reference to two versions of the 2.8-litre engine: the "1GD-FTV (HI) - AT" and 1GD-FTV (MHV)".

'MHV' is believed to be short for mild-hybrid vehicle, indicating the 48-volt 'V-Active' boost introduced on today's model will continue.

Both engine variants listed are believed to be automatics – the former given the inclusion of 'AT' (often used to shorten 'automatic transmission'), and the latter given the mild-hybrid (MHV) on today's HiLux is not mated to manual grades.

The paperwork lists three engine variants of the new HiLux, which are referenced in the documentation – in the first half of the model code – as the 'GUN226', 'GUN227', and 'GUN236'.

In similar documentation for the current HiLux, 'GUN126' and 'GUN136' are the model codes for the 2.8-litre engine in rear- and four-wheel-drive forms, respectively.

Meanwhile, the latest paperwork shows the second-last letter of the model codes of 'GUN237' variants as 'R' – used in model designations of the current HiLux to signify 48-volt technology, compared to 'X' on variants without.

It all points to dual-cab, four-wheel-drive, high-grade versions offering three configurations: 48-volt automatic pick-up, 48-volt automatic cab-chassis, and a non-electrified, but manual pick-up.

All of this information remains speculation for now. It is not uncommon for car companies to file homologation documents for more model variants than they plan to launch, so not every model listed may come to showrooms.

Listed in the documents are, using the current HiLux as a guide, what appear to be four equipment levels – 'L', 'M', 'H' and 'P', denoted by the third-last letter in each code – which are thought to correspond to WorkMate, SR, SR5, and a new, high-grade variant either above or just below SR5.

Two-wheel drive ('GUN236') appears to have been homologated in less expensive model grades, as well as a non-electrified engine with an automatic gearbox and 4x4 in the 'L' grade, believed to reference today's WorkMate.

A full list of model codes listed in the paperwork – and the variants they are expected to eventuate as, based on analysis by Drive – is included at the bottom of this story.

As previously reported by Drive, spy photos show the first new HiLux in a decade will not be an all-new vehicle, and will instead mate its predecessor's cabin and underpinnings with restyled front and rear ends.

The interior is poised for an overhaul, according to leaked images, with what appear to be dual widescreen displays, Prado-inspired switchgear, and a new dashboard intended to provide a more contemporary look.

More details of the 2026 Toyota HiLux are expected in the coming months.

Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner

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