Re-casting an icon: Toyota Hilux pick-up goes electric

Rather like discovering that Arnold Schwarzenegger is vegan, the news that Toyota’s Hilux pick-up has gone electric will come as a surprise.

Just as the 79-year-old former Mister Universe is still pumping iron, however, the Japanese carmaker is keen to stress that its legendary load carrier remains true to its established strengths.

Its large frame certainly remains intimidatingly purposeful.

Without a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine to serve as warning, its tall bonnet can easily loom up on pedestrians in a car park, slender light clusters glaring like a squinting Schwarzenegger.

The Hilux BEV is available in Icon (£57,845) and Invincible (£60,695) trims, the former of which was tested here.

Prices are £9,000 above those of the equivalent turbodiesel. However, the UK government’s £5,000 plug-in van grant significantly cuts the arrears, while a 0% Benefit-in-Kind tax rate ensures substantial company car tax savings.

Owners also benefit from improved driveability.

Replacing tough mechanical differentials with Toyota’s eAxle electric drivetrain has removed the driveline shunt that afflicts diesel-powered pick-ups.

The Hilux BEV is also far more manoeuvrable at low speeds and will reach 62mph almost three seconds faster than the turbodiesel, at a whisker over nine seconds.

Comfort is surprisingly good in the standard double cab interior.

Design traits from Toyota’s Land Cruiser are in evidence, particularly in the broad centre console and new steering wheel, but hard plastics abound and the Icon-spec Hilux features fabric seats, making it feel rather basic.

Those wanting a rugged EV with some style and polish will need to delve into the options list.

Nonetheless, heated front seats, steering wheel, a wireless phone charging plate and a new Android Auto and Apple CarPlay-equipped 12.3-inch Toyota Smart Connect infotainment system are all part of the Icon’s standard kit.

Toyota has gone to great lengths to ensure the BEV lives up to the Hilux’s rugged reputation.

Multi-Terrain Select automatically adapts the drivetrain to suit off-road conditions, including rock, sand and mud, dirt and bumpy mogul surfaces.

It shares the turbodiesel’s ability to wade through 700mm water, albeit with ground clearance down from 309mm to 212mm.

However, the rear bed’s maximum capacity is 710-750kg – down from over a tonne – while the towing capacity for a braked trailer is well down on the turbodiesel’s 3,500kg, at 1,650kg.

Also, driving range will be a significant consideration for many buyers.

The Hilux BEV’s 59kWh battery will charge from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes on a 150kW fast-charger. However, its 159-mile (WLTP combined) range will be insufficient for some.

Toyota itself concedes that the Hilux BEV will be “particularly suited to single-location operations”.

What is clear, though, is that electrification imbues the Hilux model range with a specific set of strengths, broadening its appeal to a whole new audience.

Toyota Hilux BEV Icon

Price: £57,845

Engine: 59.2kWh battery

Power: 193bhp

Torque: 474Nm

Transmission: single speed

Top Speed: 87mph

0-62mph: 9 seconds

Range: 159 miles (WLTP combined)

CO2 emissions: 0g/km