Could America also be in line for a more efficient mid-size pickup?
Hybrid pickups have become increasingly popular in recent years, with Ford and Toyota leading the way in the U.S. However, these have been conventional hybrids that can’t be plugged in. It seems that plug-in hybrid systems – which add a lot more weight and complexity – are not yet considered a good fit for pickups. That could be set to change over at Toyota, with a report from Japanese magazine Best Car indicating that a PHEV version of the Hilux pickup could be sold when the new one arrives in March next year. While America has the Tacoma, the Hilux is Toyota’s mid-size pickup in other markets, so could a Tacoma PHEV be on its way here too?
Plug-In Hybrid Could Be Toyota’s Most Efficient Pickup Yet
Toyota
Based on a Drive report, Best Car suggests that the plug-in hybrid Hilux will appear alongside the diesel variant in March next year. No technical details were shared, so it’s unknown what this hybrid pickup’s battery capacity or all-electric range could be. It would be a far cry from any other Hilux, as Toyota has so far only gone as far as installing a 48-volt mild hybrid system in the pickup.
In America, Toyota’s midsize Tacoma can be ordered with a non-plug-in hybrid powertrain known as the i-Force Max. Producing 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, it has a lot of power, but its efficiency of 23 mpg is good rather than remarkable, and merely matches that of certain non-hybrid Tacomas.
Tacoma PHEV Possible As Toyota Targets Increased Plug-In Sales
According to an article from CNBC in May, Toyota plans to increase PHEV sales volumes in the USA from 2.4% last year to 20% by 2030, as the brand continues prioritizing hybrids over EVs in this market.
“We are going to grow our PHEV volume through the lineup over the next few years,” David Christ, head of the Toyota brand in North America, told CNBC at the time. “We love the PHEV powertrain. We’re working to increase, perpetually increase, the amount of miles you can drive on EV-only range.”
While that statement doesn’t guarantee there’ll be a Tacoma PHEV, Christ didn’t rule out any particular segment of body style, either.
Toyota has experience with smaller PHEVs like the RAV4 and Prius, but the Tacoma is a much larger, heavier vehicle, so may require an all-new engine. Then again, the 2026 RAV4 PHEV makes 320 hp, so it’s not lacking in power.
If the rumors hold and the Hilux PHEV succeeds in markets like Australia, this could encourage Toyota to work on getting a Tacoma PHEV developed. Ford already sells a Ranger PHEV elsewhere, so this could make for a spicy tussle at some point in the future, should both automakers release such models here.