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Is this the 2021 Toyota Hilux Rogue?

The new Toyota Hilux Rugged X and Toyota Hilux Rogue are being kept under wraps until closer to their showroom arrival a few months from now.


However, a special edition of the updated Toyota HiLux released in Thailand could provide some of the inspiration of the styling elements of at least one of the two top-end models.

While the new Toyota HiLux Rugged X is expected to continue with a “hoopless” bullbar designed for improved off-road clearance – as well as other heavy-duty hardware – the Toyota HiLux Rogue aimed more at on-road buyers is expected to have more bling.

 

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The Toyota HiLux Rocco unveiled in Thailand (pictured above and below) is believed to be a rather large clue as to how the new Rogue model could look.

The Toyota Hilux Rogue is unique to Australia; the current model gains black alloy wheels, a heavy duty sports bar, a hard tonneau cover, and the ute tub is lined with marine grade carpet to prevent scratching precious cargo, while at the same time able to handle mud and grime.

The photos of the Thailand-market Toyota HiLux Rocco show the ute tub has adopted a similar “sailplane” to the Ford Ranger Wildtrak.

 

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The special model also comes with accented fender flares, a unique front bumper and grille, and new fog light surrounds.

Detailed interior photos (below) confirm the addition of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and volume and tuning dials for the infotainment screen.

However, even the higher grades retain only single zone air-conditioning (rather than dual zone which is available on a number of rivals), and it appears Toyota has not increased the number of 12V sockets and USB charging points – at least on the overseas model shown.

 

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The arrival timing of the new Toyota HiLux Rogue and Toyota HiLux Rugged X models is yet to be confirmed by Toyota Australia.

Drive has been told there could be a staggered roll-out of these top-end models, which are fitted out with their finishing touches at a Toyota facility in Melbourne before being sent to dealers.

In the meantime, the rest of the new Toyota HiLux range is said to be on track for a showroom arrival in August, pending any further delays.

 

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Joshua Dowling

Joshua Dowling has been a motoring journalist for more than 20 years, spending most of that time working for The Sydney Morning Herald (as motoring editor and one of the early members of the Drive team) and News Corp Australia. He joined CarAdvice / Drive in 2018, and has been a World Car of the Year judge for more than 10 years.

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