An overseas website has published images of what it claims is the updated Toyota HiLux ute due in showrooms this year.

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The 2021 Toyota HiLux has been revealed in fresh images that have appeared on the internet overnight. The website Milele Motors has published what appears to be computer-generated renderings of the mid-life facelift of the Toyota HiLux. As reported exclusively by CarAdvice last month, Toyota dealers in Australia have been told they will receive the updated HiLux range towards the end of July this year. However, that timing forecast was announced prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and global car factory shutdowns.

CarAdvice understands the 2021 Toyota HiLux is a “heavy facelift” of the current generation model that was introduced in mid-2015. It is believed the Toyota HiLux will get a bold new nose and revised tail-lights, but most of the bodywork will carry over from before. Toyota insiders who have seen the updated HiLux say it has a tougher appearance inspired by the US Tacoma and Tundra pick-ups. While the renderings show the HiLux appears to have adopted the bold grille theme from its US siblings, CarAdvice understands the showroom versions may not be quite as dramatic as what has been depicted in these images.

The renderings published by Milele Motors are believed to have been inspired by confidential internal illustrations of possible Toyota HiLux design themes. As reported by CarAdvice last month, the 2.8-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder in the updated Toyota HiLux is due to receive a modest increase in power and torque from the current output of 130kW/450Nm (automatic) and 130kW/420Nm (manual). It is unclear if the towing capacity of the automatic HiLux will be upgraded to 3500kg to match manual versions. The updated Toyota HiLux will arrive at a good time for the Japanese brand. Four-wheel drive versions of the Ford Ranger ute have outsold the equivalent Toyota HiLux for the first three months of this year, after notching up eight consecutive monthly sales wins last year.

The Toyota HiLux remains Australia’s top-selling vehicle outright when both 4x4 and 4x2 models are combined. The Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger have led the Australian new-car market for the past three years in a row; the HiLux has been number one for the past four years in a row. CarAdvice expects official photos of the updated Toyota HiLux to be released in the coming weeks ahead of its July showroom arrival, unless there are delays due to interruptions in production caused by COVID-19 lockdowns. MORE: HiLux news, reviews, comparisons and videos

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