Refreshed Toyota Hilux shows its face early in new leaked images!

UPDATE: Toyota’s refreshed Hilux has since been fully revealed. Check it out here.

Low-resolution images of the facelifted Toyota Hilux have emerged online ahead of the refreshed bakkie’s official unveiling in Thailand.

Posted by @almuraba on Instagram, the photographs give us our best look yet at the updated Japanese bakkie’s new face.

As suggested by earlier leaks, the Hilux’s revised nose is dominated by a redesigned grille, complete with an oversized Toyota logo and chunky surrounds (here in grey). There are also revised foglamps and new air-intakes.

The second and third images appear to have been taken while examples of the facelifted bakkie were being transported on a truck. They provide further glimpses of the updated front and rear ends (and the new wheels), although in each case the lights are covered.

Toyota recently released a short teaser video confirming the facelifted Hilux will gain extra oomph from its 2,8-litre turbodiesel engine. As a reminder, the four-cylinder oil-burner currently generates 130 kW, plus 420 N.m in manual guise and 450 N.m in automatic form.

Meanwhile, a report out of Thailand claims this oil-burning engine in the Fortuner (and, by extension, in the Hilux) will feature increased outputs of 150 kW and 500 N.m.

The company previously said the Hilux would gain “revised suspension geometry to maintain its reputation for world-class quality, durability and reliability”.

In May 2020, low-resolution images seemingly showing the GR Sport version of the facelifted Toyota Hilux emerged online about a month after we had our first unofficial look at the refreshed Japanese bakkie.

In addition to styling and powertrain upgrades, the bakkie is expected to gain minor revisions to its cabin, including an upgraded infotainment system complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Hilux, of course, is produced at Toyota South Africa Motors’ Prospecton plant in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and holds the title of the country’s best-selling vehicle (and best-selling double-cab). An upgraded version of the bakkie hit the local market in May 2018 in the form of the limited-edition Dakar, before the updated face was rolled out to other derivatives.