Daily Drive Brief: Toyota HiLux Goes Multi-Fuel, VW’s Electric Van Lands, and Why Cities Are Nervous About Their Cameras

I spent last week chasing dust on a backroad and this morning chasing headlines. The throughline? Our workhorses are evolving fast, and the clever tech that powers them can still trip over its own laces. If you tow on weekends, deliver on weekdays, or simply like being ahead of the curve at the café, today’s stories matter—especially if the badge on your dream ute reads Toyota HiLux.

2026 Toyota HiLux: Big Aussie Energy, Bigger Powertrain Spread

Toyota has rolled out the most Australian-leaning HiLux in memory—local tuning, local testing, local honesty. The headline isn’t just the stance or tray tricks. It’s fuel choice. A battery-electric Toyota HiLux for Australia is confirmed, and there’s a hydrogen fuel-cell program bubbling along, too. A plug-in hybrid? Also coming, but Toyota is openly saying it’s not around the corner.

What really struck me in Toyota’s briefings was the tone. No chest-beating about guaranteed sales crowns. With the Ford Ranger breathing down its snorkel and every tradie WhatsApp group having Opinions, this next-gen Toyota HiLux will need to win shoppers on more than just loyalty and resale.

Quick note from the dirt: the current HiLux can fidget on corrugations when it’s empty. On long stretches of washboard gravel, the cabin gets boomy and the tail goes light. If Toyota’s local team has massaged in more suspension compliance and tidied the NVH—thicker glass, smarter mounts, the works—that alone will earn it fans out bush and in town. Fingers crossed. I’ll be the first to report back after a proper ripple-strip test.

What the Toyota HiLux announcements actually mean

• Battery-electric Toyota HiLux: Locked in for Australia. Fleet managers with depot charging will be first in line.
• Hydrogen fuel-cell Toyota HiLux: Program confirmed. Think high-mileage routes with centralised refuelling—mines, utilities, government.
• Plug-in hybrid Toyota HiLux: It’s happening, but not soon. If you’re PHEV-curious, keep your powder dry for now.
• Sales outlook: Even Toyota says the new HiLux may not dominate immediately. Translation: long game on tech and durability over headline-grabbing volume.

Toyota HiLux EV: leaked looks and local flavour

Pre-reveal images have already shown an electric HiLux in the metal. Hardly shocking—Toyota’s been testing quietly for ages. The bigger story is how much local input this generation is getting. When I ran the outgoing model over washed-out sections, the body felt a touch floaty. If the new one tightens body control and hushes the cabin—watch for thicker glass, revised dampers, and clever bushings—you’ll notice the difference on day one. School run. Worksite. Beach track. It matters everywhere.

Fortuner is done—so what if you needed seven seats?

Fortuner, the HiLux’s seven-seat SUV cousin, is bowing out with no replacement planned. If you wanted a body-on-frame family rig, your cross-shopping just got simpler: Prado if you need the proper off-road and towing chops, or Kluger if you’re mostly blacktop and school-zone speed bumps.

Recall Radar: Toyota and Lexus Camera Fixes

Two camera-related fixes landed today. Toyota is addressing a camera fault across more than 100,000 vehicles, while Lexus is fixing a similar issue for over 27,000 cars. Separately, the Lexus GX and LX have their own recall items. If your reverse camera has been glitchy—freezing, lagging, blanking—that’s your nudge.

• What to do: Check your VIN with a dealer and book a no-cost inspection. Software and/or hardware remedies are on the table depending on build.
• Timing: Parts and workshop slots vary by dealer. If you rely on your camera for tight parking or trailer hook-ups, don’t delay.
• Service-lane tip: Pull your personal USB cables and accessories before you hand over the keys; techs often want a clean boot-up to verify the fix.

Volkswagen’s New Transporter EV Arrives (PHEV, Not Yet)

Volkswagen’s electric Transporter has touched down, finally giving mid-size van buyers a full-EV option from a mainstream name. The PHEV variant is delayed, which will frustrate anyone who wanted EV drive in town with petrol safety on longer runs. I’ve run e-vans in the city, and the difference is instant: silent loading before sunrise, no diesel waft on your jacket, and regen braking that makes stop–start traffic almost relaxing. Almost.

For suburban couriers and tradies with depot charging, the EV makes immediate sense. If you’re regional or on-street charging only, the delayed PHEV leaves a gap—either plan your charging routine like a pro or stick with diesel a little longer.

MG: The Comeback Kid Keeps Swinging

MG’s story keeps adding chapters: from British sports-car darling to a value-first, China-backed mainstream player. The modern formula is brutally simple—build what buyers actually want, price it keenly, and keep making it less of a hassle to live with. I’ve chatted with a few new MG owners at chargers who couldn’t care less about heritage; they wanted a stress-free EV or hybrid that could handle school runs and Costco raids. That’s the ballgame in 2025.

Two Wildcards: A Micro‑Lux Camper and City Cameras in the Spotlight

The tiniest luxury camper you didn’t see coming

A scrapped Tesla roof-tent idea has reappeared in spirit as what’s being billed the smallest luxury camper. Silly? Maybe, until you actually try weekending somewhere with a car the size of your lounge. I ran a micro-camper setup once and loved the simplicity: no tow ball, five-minute setup, hot tea under a hatch. If your garage is tight and your budget tighter, this micro-camper trend is worth watching.

Why a judge’s ruling has cities nervous about their cameras

A new court decision has councils scrambling over what’s been recorded by traffic and policing cameras. The driver takeaway isn’t panic—it’s awareness. Automated enforcement and plate readers are helpful until privacy rules change overnight. If you manage fleet compliance, keep an eye on policy shifts; data handling could be your next line item.

What the Toyota HiLux shift means for your next purchase

• If you want a Toyota HiLux now: Diesel remains the safe, simple bet. If most of your life is urban and you can wait, the BEV could slash running costs.
• If you were eyeing a Fortuner: Pivot to Prado for towing and tracks, or Kluger for school runs and road trips.
• If you run a van fleet: Trial the Transporter EV with a small group, map charging and driver training, then scale up if it pencils out.
• If you own an affected Toyota or Lexus: Book that camera fix. It’s not a nicety—it’s a safety item.

Bottom Line: Toyota HiLux Opens the Fuel Tap

The ute and van worlds are finally serving real fuel choice, not just PowerPoint promises. The Toyota HiLux now stretches from diesel to BEV, with PHEV and hydrogen in play, while Volkswagen’s Transporter EV gives fleets a credible, quiet workhorse. Recalls are a reminder that software matters as much as steel now. And in the background, privacy rulings and micro-campers both prod us to rethink how—and where—we drive. Honest truth? I wasn’t sure at first. But after a week of dusty lanes and city errands, this direction makes sense.

FAQ

• When will the new Toyota HiLux be in showrooms? Toyota has revealed its next-gen HiLux with multiple powertrains planned for Australia. Exact on-sale dates and trims will be detailed by Toyota in due course.
• Is an electric Toyota HiLux really coming to Australia? Yes. A battery-electric HiLux is confirmed, alongside a hydrogen fuel-cell program focused on high-utilisation use cases.
• Should I wait for the Toyota HiLux plug‑in hybrid? If PHEV is your sweet spot, be patient—it’s not arriving soon. If you need a ute now, diesel remains the pragmatic choice.
• What’s happening with the Toyota and Lexus camera recalls? Toyota is fixing a camera fault across 100,000+ vehicles; Lexus has a similar action for over 27,000, plus separate items for GX/LX. Check your VIN with a dealer for the remedy.
• Is the Volkswagen Transporter PHEV available? Not yet. The EV is here; the PHEV is delayed. If you need mixed power, plan around the EV or stick with combustion for now.