Toyota has announced it will start taking pre-orders for the new 2021 Hilux pickup in September. In the UK. This means the facelifted Hilux will be out before the end of the year. In the UK. Its top-of-the-line is the “Invincible” and “Invincible X.” The 2021 Hilux Invincible is the Pickup the US needs. But we won’t be getting it.

Besides Invincible and Invincible X models, there are Active and Icon models

Besides the Invincible and Invincible X models, there are the Active and Icon Hilux models. In the UK the Invincible starts at $45,746. It comes standard with a 2.4-liter diesel engine with 148 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed manual transmission is standard or for an additional $2,000 you can get a six-speed automatic. A 2.8-liter diesel is optional for a grand total of $46,368 with a standard six-speed manual or $48,333 with a six-speed automatic transmission. 

The Invincible comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, parking sensors, smart entry and smart start, climate control, de-icing for the windshield wipers, and heated front seats. With the Invincible X you can add dark matte grey on the grille frame, skid plates, side steps, and over fenders. Inside you get two-tone dark leather upholstery, power driver’s seat, ambient lighting, and a satellite navigation system. This jumps up the price to $53,016.

Standard on all Hilux models is Toyota Safety Sense

Standard on all Hilux models is Toyota Safety Sense. This is a driver assistance suite. When you bump up to the Icon model you can add an eight-inch infotainment system with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, side steps, LED front fog lamps, power-folding side mirrors, reversing camera, and a limited-slip differential. Shown is the new Titan Bronze metallic paint with more new colors available as well. Other optional accessories are hardtops, roll covers, locking tailgate, and a 12-volt outlet in the bed. 

Of course in the US instead of the Hilux we get the Tacoma. Toyota’s reason for this is that the Tacoma features a suspension system that more customers will like. It feels that the Hilux ride and handling is too harsh for American tastes. Since we have not had a chance to drive one we don’t know whether we would dismiss the Hilux so easily were we Toyota. 

The Hilux sees its highest sales in Thailand, South America, and South Africa

Worldwide sales are over 500,000 a year according to Toyota. The Hilux sees its highest sales in Thailand, South America, and South Africa. That should tell you it is a rugged truck. But it also is sold in Europe, Indonesia, and New Zealand. With the US chicken tax adding 25% to pickup trucks imported here if Toyota were to consider selling the Hilux here it would have to manufacture it here as well. 

So don’t expect the Hilux to be made here any time soon. We will get a new Tacoma sometime after 2022 but the 2020 model debuted some new features not found in previous years.