Toyota Hilux Hybrid NZ Review: Buying Guide

The Toyota Hilux hybrid is a new edition to the brand’s double cab ute range here in New Zealand. Hybrid technology helps Toyota’s cars and SUVs cut fuel consumption and lower emissions. Hybrids have become so popular with buyers here, that most of Toyota’s passenger models are now only offered with these fuel saving petrol/electric powertrains. 

Recently, the term hybrid has been applied to the Hilux, all of its double cab automatic variants adding hybrid tech to help lower emissions. But, not all hybrids are equal. The Hilux has a ‘48V mild-hybrid’ set-up which uses a much smaller electrical device and battery than Toyota’s full hybrid models like the RAV4 and Highlander. 

This electrified system allows for longer ‘engine off’ periods compared with the conventional model, when the diesel would otherwise be idling away when stopped at the lights for instance. These integrated starter generator (ISG) electric devices replace the conventional alternator and starter motor, and provide more instant and seamless re-starts of the engine. The ISG is connected to the engine via the belt pulley system. Toyota says the 48-volt system ensures "engine re-starts are done quickly, quietly, and with minimal vibration". 

These mild-hybrid sorts are also able to give a small boost of torque to the engine to get things moving. There is a small 48-volt battery positioned under the seat in the rear and a DC/DC converter device to help control it all. 

There is no need to plug this sort of hybrid in to recharge the battery, the system does this itself. Toyota says; "during deceleration, energy is recovered by the motor generator which is fed back into the battery, combining with the engine braking to provide natural deceleration characteristics."

For those worried about the electrical bits getting damaged when driving your Hilux off road, Toyota says the electric motor "has been positioned high in the engine bay to allow for successful and safe water crossings."

While there is no change to the stated output of the 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine, that being 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque, the ISG does help improve off the mark performance, helping reduce the effects of ‘turbolag’, the time it takes for a turbocharged engine to build up torque. The hybrid tech has no detrimental effect to the towing capacity of the Hilux, the hybrid rated at the same 3.5 tonnes braked maximum as the rest of the range.