Daily Drive Brief: 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? Utility vehicles are evolving fast, and the tech that makes them clever can still trip over itself. Here’s what matters today if you tow on weekends, deliver on weekdays, or just like being ahead of the curve at the café.

The 2026 Toyota HiLux: Big Aussie Energy, Bigger Powertrain Spread

Toyota has pulled the covers off what it’s calling “the most Australian HiLux ever,” and the headline isn’t just the stance or the tray solutions—it’s the fuel options. Toyota has confirmed an electric HiLux for Australia and, more intriguingly, a hydrogen-fuel-cell ute program it’s calling “game-changing.” A plug-in hybrid is also on the way, but Toyota says it’s not around the corner.

What caught my ear in the briefings was a dose of realism: Toyota doesn’t expect the new-gen HiLux to automatically top the sales charts. That’s refreshingly honest in a world of victory laps. With the Ford Ranger snapping at its heels and every tradie having a group chat of opinions, the next HiLux will need to win on more than loyalty.

Quick personal note: the current HiLux can fidget on corrugations when unladen; if Toyota’s local team has baked in more suspension compliance and better noise suppression—as their “most Australian” claim implies—that alone will win it friends out bush and in town.

What Toyota has said (and what it means)

• Battery-electric HiLux: Confirmed for Australia. Expect fleet interest first, especially where depot charging makes sense.
• Hydrogen fuel-cell HiLux: Program confirmed for Australia. Think longer-range, heavy-duty routes where refuelling could be centralised.
• Plug-in hybrid HiLux: It’s coming, but not soon. If you’re PHEV-curious, your patience will need a long leash.
• Sales outlook: Toyota itself says the new HiLux may not be the outright best-seller. Translation: they’re playing a long game on tech and durability, not headline numbers.

Leaked looks and local flavour

Pre-reveal imagery has already shown an electric HiLux variant in the metal. No shock there—Toyota’s been testing quietly for a while. The bigger news is the tone: more local input, more focus on Australia’s unique conditions. When I tried the outgoing model on washboard gravel, the cabin could get boomy. If Toyota has tightened body control and cabin NVH—watch for thicker glass and smarter engine mounts—owners will notice on day one.

Fortuner is done

The Fortuner—HiLux’s seven-seat SUV cousin—has been axed with no replacement planned. If you were budgeting for a body-on-frame family hauler, your cross-shopping just simplified: look to Prado or consider a wagon like Kluger depending on how often you leave the tarmac.

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 in over 27,000 cars. Separately, the Lexus GX and LX have also been recalled. If your reverse camera has been glitchy, hanging, or going blank, that’s your cue.

• What to do: Check your VIN with your dealer and book a no-cost inspection and software/hardware remedy as instructed in the notices.
• Timing: Dealers can advise parts availability and workshop slots; don’t wait if you rely on the camera for tight parking or trailer hook-ups.
• Tip from the service lane: Arrive with your usual phone cable and accessories removed; techs often want to replicate a clean boot-up to verify the fix.

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

Volkswagen’s electric Transporter has touched down, giving fleets and tradies a fully-electric option in the mid-size van class. The plug-in hybrid variant is delayed, which will frustrate buyers who wanted the best of both worlds. I’ve run e-vans in the city, and the difference is night and day: silent loading before sunrise, no diesel stink on your jacket, and regenerative braking that makes stop-start a non-event.

For suburban couriers, the EV makes immediate sense. For regional operators or those without depot charging, the delayed PHEV leaves a gap—plan your charging or stick with diesel a little longer.

MG: The Comeback Kid Keeps Swinging

MG’s story gets another chapter today with a deep dive on the brand’s rise, fall, and rise again. From British sports car darling to value-driven, China-backed mainstream player, the arc is wild but simple: build what buyers want, price it keenly, and keep improving. I’ve met a few recent MG owners who couldn’t care less about heritage—they just wanted a hassle-free EV or hybrid for school runs and Costco raids. That’s the modern game.

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 morphed into what’s being billed as the smallest luxury camper. Sounds gimmicky until you’ve tried weekending somewhere with a car the size of your lounge. I ran a similar micro-camper setup once; the joy is in simplicity: no faff, no giant tow hitch, just a fold-out cocoon and a kettle. If you’re in a tight garage or a tight budget, this trend is worth watching.

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

A new court decision has cities scrambling over what’s been recorded by traffic and policing cameras. The takeaway for drivers isn’t paranoia—it’s awareness. Automated enforcement, plate readers, and intersection cameras are useful until privacy rules change overnight. If you manage fleet compliance, keep an eye on policy shifts; data handling could become the next cost line in your spreadsheet.

What It Means for Your Next Purchase

• If you want a HiLux now: Diesel remains the safe bet. If you can wait and you live mostly in town, the BEV could slash running costs.
• If you were eyeing a Fortuner: Redirect to Prado for proper towing and off-road chops, or a road-biased seven-seater if you just need space.
• If you run a van fleet: Pilot the Transporter EV with a small group first; map your charging, then scale up.
• If you own an affected Toyota or Lexus: Get the camera fix done—it’s safety tech, not a nicety.

Bottom Line

The ute and van worlds are finally offering real fuel choices, not just marketing slides. Toyota’s HiLux is spreading its bets across diesel, EV, PHEV, and hydrogen, while Volkswagen’s electric Transporter hits the ground running. Recalls are a reminder that software matters as much as steel now. And in the background, privacy and tiny campers both nudge us to rethink how we drive—and where we sleep.

FAQ

• When will the new Toyota HiLux be in showrooms? Toyota has revealed the next-gen HiLux, with Australian plans confirmed for multiple powertrains. Exact on-sale timing and trims will be detailed by Toyota in due course.
• Is an electric HiLux really coming to Australia? Yes. Toyota has confirmed a battery-electric HiLux for Australia, alongside a hydrogen fuel-cell program.
• Should I wait for the HiLux plug-in hybrid? If you want PHEV specifically, be prepared to wait—Toyota says it’s not arriving soon. If you need a ute now, diesel remains the pragmatic choice.
• What’s the deal with the Toyota and Lexus camera recalls? Toyota is fixing a camera fault across more than 100,000 vehicles; Lexus is addressing a similar issue in over 27,000 cars, and the GX/LX have a separate recall. Contact a dealer with your VIN for instructions.
• Is the Volkswagen Transporter PHEV available? Not yet. The EV has arrived; the PHEV is delayed. If you need mixed power, plan around the EV or stick with combustion for now.