Toyota Australia says it will introduce a locally developed factory-engineered gross vehicle mass (GVM) upgrade option for selected HiLux 4×4 grades from August 2026, aimed at increasing the vehicle’s carrying capacity for fleet and private customers.
The upgrade, which will be offered as a factory-fitted option priced from $4,000, is set to increase payload capacity by between 372kg and 435kg depending on the variant, allowing for a maximum payload of about 1,525kg.
According to Toyota, the GVM upgrade option has been developed in Australia and is designed to retain the full five-year warranty coverage of the donor HiLux vehicle while remaining compatible with the vehicle’s safety systems.
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations John Pappas said the upgrade was intended to expand the utility of the HiLux range.
“Introducing a GVM upgrade option for the new HiLux will allow customers to maximise the vehicle’s already-excellent load-carrying capabilities, providing benefits to both fleet and private buyers,” Pappas said.
“Being Toyota’s very own factory-fitted option, it ensures the HiLux retains its Toyota five-year warranty and is compatible with all safety systems giving it a real advantage over its aftermarket competition,” he said.
Toyota said the upgrade package includes longer monotube rear shock absorbers, increasing ride height by up to 10mm. Front axle capacity rises by 100kg, while rear axle capacity increases by 280kg.
It noted the upgrade option will be available on six work-focused HiLux 4×4 variants: the WorkMate double cab-chassis, WorkMate double-cab pick-up, SR extra cab-chassis, SR double cab-chassis, SR double-cab pick-up and SR5 double-cab pick-up.
All eligible variants are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, dual-range part-time four-wheel drive and a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 150kW and 500Nm. Toyota said SR and SR5 double-cab variants also feature 48-volt V-Active technology.
