New Toyota cars South Africans can look forward to in 2026

Toyota fans have a lot to look forward to this year, as the carmaker is set to launch what is arguably one of the most anticipated products of the decade – the next-generation Hilux bakkie.

The ninth-generation Hilux was unveiled in Thailand in November 2025, giving audiences their first look at the pickup that Toyota will be producing for years to come.

As a reminder, the current-gen Hilux has been around for a decade, which means the new design will likely stick around until at least 2036.

The new model is scheduled to go on sale in global markets this year, though Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has yet to confirm the local release date.

The Hilux is made in South Africa at Toyota’s Prospecton factory in Durban, so it’s possible the company is in the midst of upgrading its facilities to accommodate the new vehicle.

The vehicle itself has a new, slightly more angular body with a honeycomb grille reminiscent of the one on the facelifted Corolla Cross.

Slightly controversial is the fact that the Hilux will retain the ageing IMV platform, instead of the newer TNGA-F architecture.

The company explained that it opted to stick with the older platform because it has a proven track record for reliability and would make the product more affordable to consumers.

One area that has seen a big upgrade is the interior, as the new cabin is heavily inspired by the Prado SUV with a larger 12.3-inch floating infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch digital driver display.

The full list of powertrains has yet to be confirmed, but we do know that the familiar 2.8-litre GD-6 turbo-diesel engine will make a return.

Additionally, the Hilux is getting its first-ever electric model, which has an electric motor over each axle producing a combined 144kW.

It is currently unknown whether Toyota will launch the electric Hilux in South Africa.

What else is coming in 2026

The Hilux is not the only Toyota model we can expect this, as there are at least three other cars potentially in the pipeline.

This includes the new bZ4x, Land Cruiser FJ, and the next-gen Fortuner.

The Fortuner is an obvious choice, given that it shares a platform with the Hilux and is the one of the best-selling SUVs in South Africa.

Toyota has yet to unveil the new Fortuner, but the interior will presumably be near identical to its bakkie sibling.

The exterior will naturally see a few more changes, considering its large SUV body shape, but overall the two cars should be very similar, as we’ve come to expect from the pair.

Another SUV on the cards for South Africa is the new Land Cruiser FJ, which was unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show last year.

The FJ will go on sale globally in mid-2026, and TSAM has confirmed that it is under consideration for our market.

The new Land Cruiser has drawn comparisons to the Prado, as it essentially looks to be a smaller version of the popular off-roader.

Like the Hilux, the FJ’s cabin is very similar to the Prado, indicating that Toyota plans to use the same template for all its 4x4s this generation.

In Japan, the new car will use 2.7-litre petrol engine with 120kW and 246Nm, but we’d be very surprised if it doesn’t receive a turbo-diesel engine for international markets when it goes on sale later this year.

Last but not least is the electric bZ4x, which is set to launch in South Africa this year, according to a report by Reuters.

“We’re launching battery electric vehicles at the beginning of 2026,” TSAM CEO Andrew Kirby said to Reuters on the side of an industry event.

The bZ4x has been under consideration for South Africa for several years now, even featuring at Toyota’s annual State of the Industry showcase, but it has yet to be officially released.

It’s possible that Toyota previously thought our market wasn’t ready for its first electric car and has finally changed its tune, considering that Volvo and BYD’s models are starting to gain take off.