Next-gen Toyota HiLux 2026 ute could be set for a game-changing 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine: report

Could Toyota’s new turbocharged four-cylinder engine – designed to succeed the iconic 2JZ in-line six engine – be HiLux-bound as part of the ute's next-generation model expected to be revealed in 2025?

According to Japanese publication Karuma News, with quotes published by the Lexus Enthusiast, that could very well be the case.

Journalists from Karuma News reportedly attended a “multipathway workshop” event in July, an opportunity for Toyota and its strategic partners – Mazda and Subaru – to discuss each company’s future powertrain ambitions with the press.

At the event Toyota showed off its two new 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engines, the latter of which was reportedly fitted to a Lexus IS and Toyota HiLux for journalists to test drive.

Blurred-out vision from the Toyota Times shows what appears to be the Lexus IS prototype tearing up the track, though the HiLux doesn’t appear on camera.

According to Lexus Enthusiast, however, the HiLux model was in fact driven by journalists at Karuma News, who reported it was mated to a six-speed manual gearbox that transmitted about 220kW of power.

Translated to English, the quotes read: “we tested the Toyota Hilux (6-speed MT) and Lexus IS (Paddle Shift) equipped with a 2-litre turbo.

"The Hilux engine is 300 horsepower (220kW) (red zone: 6200 rpm), and the IS is different with 400 horsepower (294kW) (red zone: 7100 rpm).

"Both of them had a light acceleration feeling of zero start, and there was almost no turbo lag, and it was simply fun to ride.”

According to Karuma News, one of Toyota’s engineers present on the day said the 2.0-litre engine was designed to “surpass” the iconic 2JZ engine that popularised the Toyota Supra.

If the rumours are true, the fact that it can be applied to both the Lexus IS sports car and Toyota HiLux work vehicle is set to make it Toyota’s most versatile engine ever.

In the age of electrification, introducing two new internal-combustion engines is a bold move for Toyota, especially when the vast majority of automakers are gradually winding down production of vehicles with internal-combustion engines.

Toyota’s justification for the move can perhaps be found in the Toyota Times’ promotional test drive video in the IS with Toyota’s Chief Engineer, Takashi Uehara, who states that the engine “will be very low emissions” and “made for car lovers who expect something a little extra” in the EV era.

It comes as one of Toyota Australia's most senior executives, VP of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, alluded to a big incoming announcement on the aging HiLux to CarsGuide earlier this month.

"We're certainly not giving up on HiLux, I can tell you that," Mr Hanley said.

"We've got a lot happening. But nothing I can announce today."