New 2020 Toyota Hilux facelift, how does it compare with the older model?

About a week ago, photos depicting the upcoming 2020 Toyota Hilux facelift surfaced onto the internet, giving us a look at the new model.

As before, the range-topping Hilux gets Bi-LED projector headlights, but for its 2020 update, the design of the LED headlights have been improved over the older model, now with a more angular design. 

Lower variants will soldier on with halogen headlights, but with a different design.

The front-end of the Hilux facelift is inspired by the US market Toyota Tacoma and Tundra, featuring a more prominent hexagonal design. Although the two-tier grille design has been carried over, it now looks more muscular than before. The new Hilux also loses the "smiley face" seen on the pre-facelift mode, as it now gets a more serious-looking front-end. 

Apart from the new grille and headlights, the front bumper has also been revised, as it now gets L-shaped front fog light surrounds.

Moving to the sides, upper variants of the Hilux facelift get redesigned 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, while lower variants get 17-inch units. Interestingly, the wheel design differs from test units seen in Thailand, though it could be market-dependent.

As for the rear end of the Hilux facelift, it gets new LED tail lights with revised lighting pattern. LEDs are found in the tail lights, stop lights, and rear fog light. The turn signal and reverse lights are bulb-type.

While these photos may give us a good look at the exterior of the Hilux facelift, it remains to be seen if the interior receives any updates.

Currently, the Hilux 2.8 features a 6.75-inch touchscreen head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while lower variants get a CD player with USB and Bluetooth.

Visual updates aside, the new Hilux could be fitted with an updated 2.8-litre turbodiesel, which could see an increase in power output to match the all-new, Thai market Isuzu D-Max 3.0’s 190 PS output figure.

At the moment, the Hilux’s 2.8-litre turbodiesel does 177 PS and 420 Nm.

The Toyota Hilux facelift could be launched in Thailand later this year, while Malaysians may need to wait till 2021 before the model is introduced here.