News

2026 Toyota HiLux Rogue review

Quickly see how this car stacks up against its competition. Select any benchmark to see more details.

A place where expert car reviews meet professional buying of cars is childcareman.xyz – and the advice from Car Expert, who provides you with reliable service, personalised service and real savings on your next new car.

The new-generation Toyota HiLux has hit Aussie showrooms and streets, and it’s got a big reputation to maintain.

The HiLux range is more sexy now than the years since it has been for decades, with an overhaul of its front- and rear-end that makes it look more like macho and modern than before; as well as an interior overhaul which aligns itself with the best of the rest.

Is range-topping Rogue variant the best of the pack? With some lifestyle oriented inclusions, it makes sense – and in fact is one of those alternatives just a little expensive.

So let’s run through it in detail in this real-world review.

How much does the Toyota HiLux cost?

This one of the best-spec grades in the new Toyota HiLux range is this, but it’s not as expensive as you might have been expecting.

| 2026 Toyota HiLux 4×2 | Price before on-road costs |
| — | — |
| WorkMate 2.8 manual single-cab/chassis | $33,990 |
| WorkMate 2.8 auto single-cab/chassis | $35,990 |
| WorkMate 2.8 auto double-cab pickup | $47,990 |
| SR 2.8 auto dual-cab pickup | $52,990 |

| 2026 Toyota HiLux 4×4 | Price before on-road costs |
| — | — |
| WorkMate 2.8 auto single-cab/chassis | $45,990 |
| WorkMate 2.8 auto double-cab/chassis | $52,490 |
| WorkMate 2.8 auto double-cab pickup | $53,990 |
| SR 2.8 auto extra cab-chassis | $54,990 |
| SR 2.8 manual double-cab/chassis | $54,990 |
| SR 2.8 48V auto double-cab/chassis | $57,990 |
| SR 2.8 48V auto double-cab pickup | $59,490 |
| SR5 2.8 manual double-cab pickup | $63,990 |
| SR5 2.8 48V auto double-cab/chassis | $64,490 |
| SR5 2.8 48V auto double-cab pickup | $65,990 |
| Rogue 2.8 48V auto double-cab pickup | $71,990 |
| Rugged X 2.8 48V auto double-cab pickup | $71,990 |

While look, $71,990 plus on-roads (so, nearly $80k in your driveway) won’t be a budget model for all the lifestyle buyers looking to buy this Rogue is aimed at those who might prefer to drive if they are more likely to hit drunk than float.

If you’re wondering, at this level you could otherwise consider a Ford Ranger Sport V6 for $71,590 plus on-roads. And the outgoing hardcore Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior costs $71,643 plus on-roads.

A Mazda BT-50 SP is priced at $71,950 plus on-roads, while the related Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain is $73,000 plus on-roads – but both of those models have drive-away deals available.

Or you could look at a plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6 (from $57,900 plus on-roads), or the Mitsubishi Triton GSR (from $64,590 plus on-roads).

To see how the Toyota HiLux lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool

Let us help you find your new car

Buy your new car without the stress. It’s fast, simple and completely free.

Craig C. Ford Ranger

a great service from Travis and team, second time I have used this business would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Craig C.

Purchased a Ford Ranger in Sunshine Coast, QLD

childcareman.xyz helped Craig save thousands on his Ford Ranger, now let us save you on your next new car.

Find a deal

What is the Toyota HiLux like on the inside?

Obviously the biggest upgrade here is the technology-forward redesign of the HiLux’s cabin.

The inside felt incredibly tired as new competitors in the segment were towards the end of last-generation model’s life cycle, but now it’t much more compelling.

big new 12 . It is a 3-inch touchscreen media system that sits proudly (perhaps too proud for some people’s taste) on the dashboard, and it doesn’t have any buttons you might be hoping to use means it may be hard to accept. A pair of volume buttons at the bottom end of screen bezel, but a power button to turn off or mute it, and an output button that turns the screen off is also used for paraphrasing.

The screen usability? Well, it’s a typical Toyota. Like most models, it has the same menus as other models and sometimes a little bit annoying.

Some of the menus feel like they are a little hidden, and there is’some time to learn how to see the screen if you have uninitiated it’.

But if you are the type of person who just connects up to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, those are readily available and decently available in terms of usability, too.

Otherwise there’s built-in sat-nav, and you’ve got a number of other controls that you can jump through on that screen.

There’s another 12 in front of the driver. a 3-inch digital screen, with ‘good enough information to you’ and – in some ways –. Change the drive mode and display will show that, which certainly makes it feel more upmarket than before.

I like the design with the cog motifs around the tacho and speedo, it’s very easy-to-look-at piece of technology. It’s also pretty easy to interact with, and steering wheel controls are used to manage the job.

A panel for your climate system with trigger switches for the temperature, fan and air direction (and demister and recirc buttons) are some of the most unusual button/controllers to be found.

There is also a bank of controls for your driving stuff below the centre screen section hill descent control, rear diff lock, drive mode dial selector and buttons; four-wheel drive selecter system.

It also has seat heating buttons – although these are still single stage operations while some competitors offer three-stage adjustment and there is no ventilated seats, either.

Two cupholders are removed towards the centre console area, a soft finish on top of covered console bin (more on that in – sec) and inside there is 230V power outlet and 12 V port.

That cover on the centre armrest of now? So annoying. It rubs against the driver’s seat (but not passenger’!!) and squeaks as the materials are mixed at low speeds. I don’t think it’s just a little bit of annoyance and isn’T just this car, other HiLux Rogues have it too! It needs to be fixed.

Beyond that, the storage setup is very accommodating in this vehicle.

In the doors there are large bottle holders, with large sleeves; and on the dashboard you’ll see open cupholders on either side of the door (pop-open glovebox topper) as well as a lockable main glove box.

There is a sunglasses holder overhead, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. Where you’ll also find nearby light switches, and your SOS call button.

Only one vanity mirror (for the passenger, and without illumination!) is there; while the driver has just a single loose material strap that could be used to stow some paperwork.

This isn’t the first major improvement in the back seat of a segment, and it still provides one of the more cramped feeling back-seat experiences that has been experienced during this segment.

It’s tight for a six-foot (182cm) adult behind their own driving position, and is very tight. There’s only a limited toe room, knee room compromised and headroom is tighter in this ute than most of the segment’t others. The stupid fixed overhead grab handles that seem like a concussion waiting for an older rear-eat rider are still not removed from Plus Toyota’s memory.

It’s an experience here, I’ve been back-seat passenger on a rough track in the last HiLux and whacked my head very hard on it. Laughing, not like paraphrasing it is but something you might think doesn’t matter to you.

A pair of map pockets, bottle holders in the doors, a flip-down takeaway bag hook on the rear of the passenger seat and map pocket for both sides are fine storage space in back.

The seat base can be folded up for extra storage if needed, and it does so in a 60:40 motion.

The top-tether situation has been changed as for child-seat options, with window-Seat ISOFIX hooks being used but by Toyota you still have to thread your teethers via strap at the top of the window seats to connect them to a central point. I think it never feels as tight or secure as you’d like it to, and that is what you feel most firmly.

Otherwise there are directional air-vents and a flip-down armrest with cupholders.

With its electric roller cover system and (removable) carpet tub lining – a marine-grade material finish that is velcroed in place, this one looks like the boot of ute.

There are a few ways to operate the cargo cover there are open/close buttons on either side of the back of that tub, or you can remotely open and close it with the key fob.

Nevertheless, be careful The test vehicle was apparently new but had a “squeaky operation” to the roller and failed several times, too. Plus it eats into tub headboard space much more – and isn’t the new HiLux with its largest tray in class.

A 1570mm long, 495mm deep and 1645m wide tub with only 1105MM between wheel-armches is provided by the tape; this means it won’t be pallet-friendly (not that would be in this configuration, anyway).

There are tie-down hooks at the sides of the tub interior, and an adjustable rail-mounted tie-down system, too.

This version has lighting for the tub cover, and there is also a 12V port in the back of this model which can be used to use electrical accessories. The tub is a full-size spare wheel under the tub.

| Dimensions | Toyota HiLux Rogue |
| — | — |
| Length | 5320mm |
| Width | 1885mm |
| Height | 1848mm |
| Wheelbase | 3085mm |

To see how the Toyota HiLux lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

To date, Toyota has remained with the customers’ expectations and is carrying over the four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that was used in the previous years. The outputs are the same, and there is still a six-speed automatic transmission.

| Specifications | Toyota HiLux Rogue |
| — | — |
| Engine | 2.8L 4cyl turbo-diesel 48V MHEV |
| Power | 150kW |
| Torque | 500Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drive type | Part-time four-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 7.6L/100km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 8.9L/100km |
| CO2 emissions (claimed) | 201g/km |
| Fuel tank | 80L |
| Weight | 2342kg |
| Payload | 778kg |
| Braked towing capacity | 3500kg |
| Gross vehicle mass (GVM) | 3120kg |
| Gross combination mass (GCM) | 6300kg |

This spec also includes an 8-volt hybrid 48-V system designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, as well as the eight-v model of this Spec. No further performance is quoted by Toyota but 5kW/65Nm electric motor generator – according to .

The outputs still hit harder than some rivals, but you can get more grunt from an LDV Terron 9 or MG U9 if you only shop for four-pot diesels. And of course the V6 offerings from Ford and VW are gruntier.

For the fuel consumption? Well, this is a very low number for this slightly electrified version of the Lux at 7 ‘It’s just an amazing amount. 6L/100km. My test was 8 open road, freeway and country and urban driving. 9L/100km) . So, so a pretty real-life worker.

But a few people may like that the HiLux still doesn’t need AdBlue, but others will say that leaves it in the past as opposed to some competitors.

To see how the Toyota HiLux lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool

How does the Toyota HiLux drive?

Expecting a bold change from the last HiLux? Well you might be actually pleasantly surprised by this new version.

For example, SR5 variant receives the more softly sprung rear suspension that is designed to be more flexible for a combination of different applications.

This is clearly a dual-cab ute, but it’s still clear that this vehicle behaves over lumps and bumps in the surface; with no load on board it can still feel little sharp and jumpy at the back over rigid edges of surfaces.

But the general compliance, capability and comfort levels are very good for this new HiLux (and the chassis tweaks have been well-earned & truly worth it) and overall quality of these updated Hi Lux’s modifications.

A lot of the steering behaviour is also a change in that’s an electronic power steering system, rather than the old hydraulic system.

Trusted Reviews, Smarter Choices, Better Prices

A place where expert car reviews meet professional buying of cars is childcareman.xyz – and the advice from Car Expert, who provides you with reliable service, personalised service and real savings on your next new car.

View showroom
Compare cars
Find a deal

Not as much does it feel, and you don’t know every pebble through the tiller like you did in a previous model but at all speeds it is more direct (and less reasonably good) than that of its own weighting.

Light and easy to manoeuvre for urban driving, light steering is heftier and more direct in its responses at highway speeds; it feels more agile when used as a vehicle.

But those changes certainly align with some of the others in the segment as to how much general dynamics exist.

It is predicted that as for the engine? Well, it’s a strong and perky carryover powertrain which also seems very eager to accelerate up to about 80km/h at high speed. At high speeds it can be slightly less responsive than normal but still so much more reactive (see details)

I tested the six-speed automatic transmission and it was caught out at freeway speed when we needed sudden acceleration.

The engine is eager at low speed, and the gearbox is clever. It is pretty well mannered, and the engine idle stop/start system – if you leave it on! – is also quite nice. Although this technology is hardly hard-core hybrid technology, it smooths out the process by which it restarts the powertrain and there is clearly some evidence that it does affect real world fuel consumption.

A second great thing is that the new HiLux hasn’t been fucked up by incessant safety technology – there is no driver monitoring camera so it doesn’s not bing-bong annoyance. A speed sign recognition system is also available to you but thankfully does not beep at your pace, and it doesn’t even bother you.

The lane keep assist feature is easier to turn off, and the adaptive cruise control works pretty well beyond that; other than that, it’s more like that. The parking camera system is much better in this iteration than the one that was used in previous HiLuxes, and has been a key part of then there’s the car.

Overall refinement is decent, but not groundbreaking.

Road noise is still a bit of evidence on rough surfaces, and some wind noise at freeway speed (especially around the mirrors and in A-pillars), but also there is an occasional mention of road noise that has been found.

But if this is a tried-and-tested powertrain it’s also – particularly as far as 60km/h. Certainly you’ll recall being in the car with a four-cylinder diesel engine.

It’s certainly a big change for the HiLux nameplate, all in all but this is still short of class-leaders such as the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok.

| Off-road dimensions | Toyota HiLux Rogue |
| — | — |
| Track front and rear | 1530mm – front 1555mm – rear |
| Ground clearance | 224mm |
| Approach angle | 29 degrees |
| Departure angle | 26 degrees |
| Ramp breakover angle | TBC |
| Wading depth | TBC |

To see how the Toyota HiLux lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool

What do you get?

For the full rundown, you can read our price and specs article here. But for your reference, here’s what you get as you climb up the HiLux ladder:

2026 Toyota HiLux WorkMate standard equipment highlights:

  • 17-inch steel wheels
  • LED headlights
  • Electric mirrors
  • Fabric upholstery
  • Manual-adjust steering column
  • Manual parking brake
  • 12.3-inch centre touchscreen
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Satellite navigation
  • DAB+ digital radio
  • 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
  • 2 x USB-C ports
  • 1 x 12V accessory port (single-cab)
  • 2 x 12V accessory ports (double-cab)
  • Two-speaker sound system (single-cab)
  • Four-speaker sound system (double-cab)
  • Toyota Connected Services with 12-month subscription

The SR adds (or replaces):

  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • Silver-painted front bumper
  • LED front fog lights
  • Locking rear tailgate
  • Side steps
  • Black door handles, side mirrors, bonnet inserts
  • Keyless entry
  • Push-button engine start
  • ‘High grade’ fabric upholstery
  • Leather-accented shift-knob
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Rear air vents
  • Wireless smartphone charging
  • Eight-speaker sound system
  • Locking rear differential (4×4 only)
  • Multi-Terrain select (4×4 only)

The SR5 adds:

  • High-grade LED headlights
  • Comfort-oriented leaf-spring rear suspension tune
  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Larger front brake discs
  • Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors
  • Privacy glass
  • Sports bar
  • LED tail-lights
  • LED rear fog light
  • Integrated tow bar
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Cooled glove box
  • Electrochromatic rear-vision mirror
  • All-weather floor mats
  • Electronic park brake

The Rogue adds:

  • Matte black 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Unique front bumper design
  • Rogue tailgate badging
  • Marine-grade carpet bedliner
  • Electric tray roller cover
  • Deck rail with two sliding points
  • Unique sports bar
  • 12V socket in tray
  • Central locking tailgate
  • Mineral-coloured upholstery
  • Towing package including tow-ball, tongue, trailer wiring harness and electronic brake controller

The Rugged X adds:

  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Hoopless bull bar
  • Front and rear recovery points
  • LED light bar
  • Rugged decal package
  • Sports bar

So, if you’re spending this much, I’d say that the Rugged X is more attractive for Aussies to get out there. But let’s say what you think in the comments!

To see how the Toyota HiLux lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool

Is the Toyota HiLux safe?

It has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, even though it doesn’t have annoying stuff like snubbling things like driver monitoring camera! That rating is not applicable to the hardcore Rugged X because of its different front-end design and structure.

| Category | Toyota HiLux |
| — | — |
| Adult occupant protection | 84 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 89 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 82 per cent |
| Safety assist | 82 per cent |

Standard safety features include:

  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Reversing camera
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Parking sensors
  • Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pre-collision safety system
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane trace assist (lane centring)
  • Lane departure alert
  • Speed sign recognition
  • Automatic collision notification (via connected services)
  • SOS emergency call

The SR and above add:

  • Surround-view camera
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • Downhill assist control (4×4 models only)

It’s, ahem, safe to say, this new HiLux is a winner on safety.

To see how the Toyota HiLux lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool

How much does the Toyota HiLux cost to run?

Choose a HiLux and you’re getting, reputably, one of the most reliable utes on the market. Right?

| Servicing and Warranty | Toyota HiLux |
| — | — |
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | Up to 7 years (service-activated) |
| Service intervals | 6 months or 10,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years or 75,000km |
| Average annual service cost | $790 |
| Total capped-price service cost | $3950 |

But it’s also under Toyota’ – five year unlimited-kilometre warranty, well as the seven years of powertrain warranty coverage for vehicles if you service the car on time with Toyota.

Servicing times are less than a few competitors – six months, 10,000km and some other rivals – so perhaps it could be an explanation of why this is ute has reassurance.

You do a lot of distance, but it’s going to cost you money for all that service. A capped-price service plan is available for the first five years or 75,000km (but remembers that’s 10 visits to Toyota), while others would be rude to you for half those hours over the same period.

To see how the Toyota HiLux lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool

childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Toyota HiLux Rogue

It feels like Toyota has made the changes it really needs to make so that the HiLux is kept within the consideration set in ute segment, to me.

It’s still not the best ute to drive, nor is it the most luxurious nor most refined.

But for those looking for known capability and a reputation for reliability, what is the best choice? Now with many of the latest features you’d expect in sex-cab 44 ute.

This is a solid option for the Rogue itself, with several of the most useful additions to help distinguish it from the crowd at this price point.

childcareman.xyz can save you thousands on a new Toyota HiLux. Click
here
to get a great deal.

Click the images for the full gallery

MORE:
Explore the Toyota HiLux showroom

Thanks for reading 2026 Toyota HiLux Rogue review

Related Articles

Check Also
Close
Back to top button
CareMan
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.