The buzz around Toyota’s rugged SUVs just got louder. While everyone is still drooling over the retro-cool Land Cruiser FJ, Toyota quietly dropped the ninth-generation Hilux โ and it basically hands us a crystal ball for the upcoming Fortuner. These two have always been mechanical twins under the skin, so whatever the new Hilux brings, the next Fortuner is almost guaranteed to copy-paste most of it.
Brutal New Looks That Scream “Don’t Mess With Me”
Toyota calls the Hilux design theme “Tough and Agile,” but let’s be real โ it’s straight-up copied from the latest Land Cruiser family homework. The front end now looks like it ate a protein shake: boxy grille, razor-thin LED headlights connected by a thick bar that spells “TOYOTA” in capital letters, and a taller, more upright posture that says “I own this road.”
Expect the new Fortuner to rock the exact same angry face. The body will bulk up with sharper shoulder lines, deeper creases along the sides, and an overall stance that looks ready to climb mountains or intimidate traffic equally well. No more soft curves โ this thing is going full beast mode.
Cabin Glow-Up: From Truck to Luxury Lounge
Step inside the new Hilux and you’ll swear you’re in a Land Cruiser, not a workhorse pickup. Toyota completely redesigned the dashboard to feel wider, cleaner, and way more premium. Soft-touch materials everywhere, buttons that actually feel expensive to press, and proper ergonomics so you don’t twist like a pretzel reaching for stuff.
The star attraction? Twin 12.3-inch screens โ one for gauges, one for infotainment โ floating above the dash like in high-end luxury cars. The Fortuner will 100% get this setup because sharing is caring (and saves Toyota serious cash).
Higher variants throw in wireless phone charging, extra USB-C ports for rear passengers, and full smartphone integration through the MyToyota app. You can check fuel levels, lock doors, see where you parked, or even monitor battery status if you somehow end up with the electric version โ all from your phone. The next Fortuner copying this connected tech package? Bank on it.
Steering Goes Electric โ Finally!
For the first time ever, the Hilux ditches old-school hydraulic steering for electric power steering. Translation: lighter steering in parking lots, laser-sharp response on highways, and better control when crawling over rocks. The Fortuner has been begging for this upgrade forever, so expect it to arrive standard across the range.
Safety Game Leveled Up Hard
Toyota Safety Sense just received a massive steroid injection. The new Hilux packs:
- Automatic braking if you’re about to hit something at low speed
- Smart cruise control that actually reads road signs
- Emergency stop if the driver passes out
- Blind-spot warning with door-opening alert
- Camera that watches YOUR face to catch drowsy driving
Every single one of these will jump straight into the next Fortuner. Zero chance Toyota skimps here.
Engine Choices: Diesel, Hybrid, or Full Electric?
The new Hilux menu is wild: regular diesel, petrol, 48V mild hybrid, AND a proper battery-electric version for fleets. India will probably stick with the tried-and-tested 2.8L diesel (maybe with hybrid assist), but the 2.7L petrol lives on, but that full EV Fortuner? Don’t hold your breath โ our market isn’t ready yet.
Also Read – Exciting Tata Electric Vehicle Offers Reaching Up to Rs. 1.90 Lakh This October 2025
When Do We Get It in India?
The refreshed Hilux should hit Indian showrooms within months. The all-new Fortuner? Toyota is playing the long game โ look for it sometime in late 2026 or early 2027. When it lands, expect starting prices to jump โน4-6 lakh thanks to all the extra tech and premium feel.
Final conclusion : If you love the current Fortuner but want something that looks meaner, feels richer inside, drives sharper, and packs proper modern safety โ just wait. The next one is basically a Hilux wearing an SUV suit, and it’s going to dominate the segment all over again.
