- The 2026 Toyota Hilux cabin gets an all-black interior with an angular dashboard and floating touchscreen; it is described as utilitarian and certainly not premium, but airy thanks to a whitish grey roof liner and large windows.
- Most surfaces are hard plastics alongside some soft ish materials, silver and gunmetal inserts, and leather cladding on the armrests; finish in areas such as the door pockets could be better.
- Ingress is not easy: the high floor requires using an A-pillar grab handle and side step, making the Hilux not senior-citizen friendly.
- The wide, firm front seats are upholstered in fabric instead of leather, with 6-way manual adjustment for the driver and only 4-way manual adjustability for the passenger.
- The cabin is user-friendly ergonomically, with thumb-contoured steering, an easy-to-press hornpad, a dual-tone horn that is barely audible inside, and steering adjustment for height and reach.
- Cabin storage includes a wireless smartphone charger, cupholders, 1L-friendly door pockets, two gloveboxes, and a deep storage bin under the centre armrest.
- Even the top variant omits a climate control system; the new car gets a manual HVAC unit with a PM2.5 air filter, and rear A/C vents are deleted.
- The Hilux offers a touchscreen with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay; the VX 4X4 AT gets a new 12.3-inch head-unit with 8 speakers, but several features are missing or deleted, including rain-sensing wipers, seat ventilation, ADAS and an electronic parking brake.
- Rear accommodation is just adequate, with thin cushioning, tight knee room for two 6-footers, an upright seatback and poor under-thigh support; rear A/C vents have also been dropped.
The 2026 Toyota Hilux introduces a new all-black interior that is modern yet utilitarian, primarily constructed from hard plastics. The dashboard features a floating touchscreen, but lacks premium materials, with only some soft touches present.12
The cabin is designed for durability, with silver and gunmetal inserts on the dashboard and leather cladding on the armrests. However, the overall finish, particularly in areas like the door pockets, leaves room for improvement.
Despite its high floor, which requires a grab handle for entry, the driver's seat offers good support and sufficient legroom for taller individuals. Yet, it lacks electric adjustments, with only 6-way manual for the driver and 4-way for the passenger.
The Hilux's ergonomics are user-friendly, featuring a well-designed steering wheel and clear instrument cluster. However, the absence of a climate control system in the top variant is surprising, as is the removal of rear A/C vents, which were present in the previous model.681213
The vehicle includes essential features like a 12.3" touchscreen with wireless connectivity, but many conveniences from the previous model have been omitted, including rain-sensing wipers and seat ventilation. The rear seating is adequate but not spacious, with thin cushioning and poor under-thigh support, making it less comfortable for taller passengers.
Overall, while the Hilux maintains a rugged appeal, the lack of certain features raises questions about its value in the competitive market.
“The front seats are fabric with 6-way manual driver adjustment, and the high floor needs an A-pillar grab handle, making it not senior-citizen friendly. Rear space is only adequate, with thin cushioning and tight knee room for two 6-footers; the VX 4X4 AT also lacks ADAS and an electronic parking brake.”
