2018 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Toyota Hilux, over the decades this Japanese pickup has built a reputation for being rugged and reliable. While the popular pickup continued to evolved and slowly move upmarket as it gained more luxuries, its biggest evolutionary jump was with the introduction of the seventh generation Hilux in 2004. This was the first twenty-first century iteration of the Japanese carmaker’s pickup; it was also the first generation to be built on Toyota’s new Innovative Multi-purpose Vehicle architecture. It offered a modern more aerodynamic body, improved safety, more interior space, better ride comfort, and modern D-4D diesel engines. This was replaced by the current eighth generation Hilux in 2015, a model that’s more stylish and more refined than its predecessor but continuous the tradition of being a tough pickup.

The current Toyota Hilux was first introduced in the Philippine market in July 2015. It featured a more curvier more muscular design. Just like other new IMV-based Toyota, the current Hilux has a refined car-like interior designed for comfort. Its instrument cluster has a complete set of analog gauges and a vertical multi-info screen. The long slim horizontal central AC vents are mounted up high to make room for a 6.5-inch touch screen; the lower trim variants come with a 2-DIN stereo. 

The rugged looking Conquest variant which is based on the G variant joined the lineup in 2018.

The Toyota Hilux’s standard safety equipment consists of driver and passenger SRS airbags, driver’s knee airbag, and antilock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution. The 4x4 automatic transmission variants get additional safety kit like side airbags, curtain airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, and trailer sway control.

For 2020 Toyota gave the E, G, and Conquest Hilux variants a makeover aswell as updated versions of its D-4D engines.  The entry-level J variants as well as the commercial workhorse variants continue with the old pre-facelift design.

Like before the Toyota's pickup is offered with a choice of two diesel engines. 4x2 variants and the 4x4 J variant get a 2.4 liter D-4D mill which produces 148hp and 400Nm of torque, in the 4x2 J variants, it makes 343Nm of torque.  The 4x4 Conquest variants get the more powerful 2.8-liter D-4D unit which now puts out 201hp and 500Nm of torque, when equipped with an auto tranny, the motor is rated at a lower 420Nm of torque. Both powerplants can be paired to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission. The 4x2 J comes exclusively with a five-speed stick shift.

2024 GR-S

New for 2024, the upgraded GR-S variant gains more aggressive styling and mechanical upgrades. Under its hood is a more powerful 2.8-liter diesel unit which now puts out 221hp (224PS) and 550Nm of torque. The new GR-S has wider tracks and a reworked Gazoo Racing suspension. It receives new GR alloy wheels shod with 265/65R17 all-terrain tires. The GR-S now has disc brakes on all corners.

Its Emotional Red paint finish costs an additional P20,000.