Toyota Drops 1,675-Lb Caravan on New Electric Hilux Truck
The electric pickup drove off immediately after the roof impact, retaining full functionality despite visible body damage.
Toyota demonstrated the durability of its new electric Hilux pickup by dropping a 1,675-pound caravan onto its roof, a test that resulted in the vehicle driving off immediately after the impact.
What Happened
The automaker recreated a challenge originally performed by Top Gear in 2003 on the combustion-engine Hilux, which famously survived a wrecking ball, submersion, and a building demolition. For the electric variant, Toyota solicited input from Reddit users in the UK, where hundreds voted for the caravan drop test. Conducted at Bentwaters airfield in Suffolk, a crane hoisted a 760 kg (1,675 lb) caravan 30 feet into the air before releasing it onto the Hilux BEV. While the vehicle sustained minor body damage, it powered on and drove away without issue. Toyota has subsequently handed the vehicle to the Top Gear YouTube channel for further testing.
Why It Matters
The test serves as a marketing effort to align the first body-on-frame electric pickup from Toyota with the Hilux’s longstanding reputation for toughness. The Hilux BEV features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing 278 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of over 3,700 lbs. It is equipped with Multi-Terrain Select, an electronic control system with five drive modes designed to optimize performance based on terrain. The vehicle runs on a 59.2 kWh water-cooled lithium-ion battery, offering a WLTP range of up to 160 miles, or 236 miles in city driving conditions. Recharging from 10% to 80% takes approximately 30 minutes via DC fast-charging at up to 125 kW.
The Bottom Line
Toyota aims to prove its electric powertrain does not compromise the durability associated with the Hilux nameplate. The base model is available for order in the UK starting at £42,170 ($56,500) excluding VAT.
