The All-New Toyota Hilux N90: What's Changed and How to Upgrade It

Toyota's next-generation Hilux — internally known as the N90 — has arrived, and it's the biggest shake-up the ute has seen in over a decade. For Australian tradies, tourers and off-road enthusiasts, the Toyota Hilux N90 brings a sharper look, smarter tech and electrified power to the country's best-selling vehicle. And as always, the team at Brixton 4x4 has been building out a full range of upgrades and accessories so you can make your new Hilux work even harder from day one.

What Is the Toyota Hilux N90?

The N90 is the tenth generation of the Hilux, developed with a bold, Australian-influenced exterior design and a major step forward in technology. Toyota has consolidated the Hilux lineup to a single body style — Double Cab only — reflecting what the majority of buyers actually want from a modern ute.

Up front, the N90 wears a "Tough and Agile" design language: slimmer headlights linked by a central bar carrying the Toyota name, a more aggressive grille, and new front-end proportions that give the truck a noticeably stronger stance than the outgoing N80.

Inside, the change is even more dramatic. The N90 introduces a wide, horizontal dashboard layout with up to two 12.3-inch displays — one for the driver's instrument cluster and one for the central touchscreen — a big leap from the smaller 8-inch unit in the previous generation. It's also the first Hilux to feature electric power steering, which Toyota says delivers more direct handling, easier low-speed manoeuvring and less kickback over rough terrain.

Hilux N90 Powertrain Options

The N90 broadens the Hilux's powertrain lineup considerably:

• 2.8L turbo-diesel — the familiar 1GD-FTV four-cylinder, producing around 150kW and 500Nm paired with a six-speed automatic, continuing as the core workhorse engine.
• 48V mild-hybrid — building on the hybrid tech introduced to the outgoing model, supporting payloads up to one tonne and braked towing capacity up to 3,500kg.
• Battery-electric (BEV) — a genuine first for Hilux, with dual-motor all-wheel drive and a 59.2kWh (54kWh usable) water-cooled battery, mounted on a reinforced subframe designed to handle the torsional loads of real off-road use.
• Hydrogen fuel cell — flagged for a later release, continuing Toyota's multi-pathway approach to powertrain electrification.

Whichever variant ends up in your driveway, one thing hasn't changed: Hilux owners want to modify, protect and equip their vehicles for work, towing and adventure. That's where Brixton 4x4 comes in.

Upgrading Your Hilux N90: What's Available at Brixton 4x4

Brixton 4x4 has already built a dedicated Hilux N90 accessories range, covering everything from front-end protection to towing setups. Here's a look at the main categories.

Bull Bars and Front-End Protection

A bull bar is one of the first upgrades most Hilux owners consider, especially for those driving regional roads or off-road tracks regularly. The Hamer 4x4 King Series Bullbar is a full bumper replacement engineered specifically for the N90, built from heavy-duty steel plate and designed to integrate cleanly with the factory lines while adding genuine front-end protection. It's built to retain ADR compliance and airbag compatibility, and provides solid mounting points for driving lights, light bars and antennas.

For a cleaner aesthetic, no-loop style bull bars are also available for those who want protection without the traditional hoop look — including the Hamer King Series in its no-loop configuration, giving you the same level of underlying protection in a more streamlined design.

Bash Plates and Underbody Protection

Protecting what's underneath the Hilux matters just as much as protecting the front. The Hamer Front Bash Plate and the Hamer 3-Piece Front Bash Plate Set provide heavy-duty underbody armour for the N90's engine and drivetrain components, designed to handle corrugated roads, rock-strewn tracks and everyday off-road abuse without compromising approach angles.

Sports Bars and Tray Accessories

For tradies and tourers running a tub or canopy setup, sports bars add both protection and functionality. The N90 range includes the Hamer Knight Series Sports Bar, the Hamer Classic Series Sports Bar and the Hamer Extended Night Fury Sports Bar — all designed to complement the N90's new body lines while providing a mounting platform for accessories.

If you're after full tray coverage, the HSP Roll R Cover electric roll-top is purpose-built for the N90, offering secure, weatherproof, remote-operated tub protection whether you're running with or without a sports bar fitted.

Suspension and GVM Upgrades

A suspension upgrade is one of the most popular modifications for any new Hilux, and the N90 is no exception. Brixton 4x4 stocks the EFS Diff Drop Kit for the N90, designed to correct CV joint and driveline angles once a suspension lift has been fitted — a critical step that's often overlooked. Beyond extra ground clearance, a properly matched suspension setup improves load-carrying ability, towing stability and ride comfort — particularly important if you're planning to add a bull bar, canopy or drawer system that adds weight to the front or rear. As the N90-specific suspension range continues to expand, our team can advise on the best EFS and Outback Armour options to suit your setup.

Towing Setups

Towing capability is a major reason people buy a Hilux, and the N90 range includes serious upgrades for it. TAG Heavy Duty Towbars are designed and manufactured in Australia, offering Class 4, 50mm hitch receivers with a limited lifetime warranty — available in versions to suit the N90's factory mounting points, with direct-fit wiring harness options for a clean install.

Pairing a towbar with the right mirrors makes a real difference to towing confidence. The Clearview Next Gen and Clearview Compact Towing Mirrors, available for N90 SR, SR5, SR5+, Rogue and Rugged X and Workmate variants, are purpose-built to improve rear visibility and reduce blind spots when hauling a caravan or trailer.

Lighting and Roof Accessories

Upgraded lighting remains one of the most practical and cost-effective improvements for any 4x4, especially for rural and off-road driving. Brixton 4x4 stocks driving lights and light bars compatible with the N90's CAN Bus electrical system, along with wiring interfaces — including the Offroad Animal CanM8 CAN Bus High Beam Signal Interface — to ensure clean integration without electrical headaches.

For load carrying, the HSP Ladder Rack is available in an adjustable configuration suited to the N90 SR5, offering an industry-leading dynamic weight capacity for tradies who need to carry ladders, pipe or building materials.

Where to Start: Building Your Hilux N90 Upgrade Package

Rather than piecing together individual parts, we'd recommend tackling your N90 build in this order:

1. Underbody protection first — bash plates are inexpensive relative to the rest of the build and protect critical components from day one.
2. Bull bar and front-end protection — especially important if you're planning to fit driving lights or do regional/remote travel.
3. Suspension — get your GVM and load-carrying sorted before you add weight from a canopy, drawers or a bigger bull bar.
4. Towing gear — towbar, wiring and mirrors, particularly if a caravan or trailer is on the cards.
5. Tray accessories and lighting — sports bar, roll-top cover, ladder rack and driving lights to round out the build.

The Brixton 4x4 team is available via online chat to confirm fitment and compatibility before you buy — taking the guesswork out of modifying a brand-new model.

Final Thoughts

The Toyota Hilux N90 represents the biggest update to Australia's favourite ute in years — new styling, a genuinely modern interior, and an expanded range of powertrains including hybrid and electric options for the first time. Whether you're upgrading for work, towing or weekend off-roading, Brixton 4x4 already has a tailored range of bull bars, bash plates, sports bars, suspension, towing gear and lighting ready to suit the new model.

Hamer 4x4 backs its bull bars, bash plates and sports bars with a 12-month manufacturer's warranty — you can read the full terms on the official Hamer 4x4 warranty page.

Browse the full Toyota Hilux N90 accessories range at Brixton 4x4, or reach out to the team for fitment advice and a custom build recommendation for your new ute.