Load capacity is a bit disappointing
Do you want nothing more than a Toyota Hilux with five seats? Then the electric Toyota Hilux Electric is for the first time a semi-logical choice in the Netherlands, because this is by far the cheapest Hilux with a back seat you can buy here.
The Toyota Hilux is a legendary and (apparently) indestructible pick-up, highly valued for its robustness and resilience in parts of the world that are less manicured and asphalted than the Netherlands. Logically, the car was not developed with the Netherlands in mind, and that may explain why the standard version does not meet the current and rather bizarre tax requirements imposed on commercial vehicles here. Those who want a Hilux with a ‘grey license plate’ (grey plate, meaning lower road tax and purchase tax) and thus with reduced road tax (mrb) and purchase tax (bpm), must settle for a converted version without a back seat. This can be done, including the now existing (but more favorable) bpm, ‘already’ from €54,850 for a 2.4 D-4D ‘Xtra Cabin’ or for €72,284 if you go for the double cabin. That would immediately be a powerful GR Sport, by the way. On a yellow license plate (private vehicle) and with 2+2 seats (Xtra Cabin), a Hilux diesel will cost you a minimum of €132,950, or even €167,550 if you want a five-seater with a double cabin in GR Sport trim. Long story short: nice that it exists, but of course, nobody does this.
A back seat in a Hilux is normally an expensive pleasure in the Netherlands.
Fortunately, there is now a way to get a Hilux with a back seat, but without a sky-high bpm amount. That way is called Toyota Hilux Electric and features a full double cabin. The electric Hilux is available with a back seat starting from €69,395. For that price, you get a Challenger version with, among other things, automatic dual-zone climate control, seat heating, and a large touchscreen. The more expensive Professional offers artificial leather, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, more speakers, and some other luxuries , costing €72,995.
Although that’s not too bad compared to the diesel Hilux, there is still a Van version without a back seat. This saves €700 in bpm and means that VAT can be reclaimed for business purchases. Without VAT, the Van version costs €58,995 or €61,995.
In all cases, the electric performance of the Hilux is not great. The 2,500 kg heavy pick-up always gets a 59.2 kWh battery, which provides a range of 240 kilometers. Fast charging is possible at a maximum of 150 kW, and the load capacity in kilograms is also a bit disappointing, as formally only 740 kg is allowed in the bed. The electric Hilux has a significantly revamped bodywork that, according to Toyota, makes it an entirely new generation. Diesels from this new generation will also be available, but they are not yet on the price list in the Netherlands.