2025 Toyota Hilux Tamaraw to have 3 variants, multiple body types available

Toyota Tamaraw to get diesel and gas options, in-house production with various body types

During a recent event held by Toyota Motor Philippines in Davao, they gave us a sneak peek at the return of a nameplate that we haven’t seen in local showrooms since the last units were sold in 2005: Tamaraw.

Yes, it has been 20 years since Toyota phased out the Tamaraw name in the Philippine market in favor of the Innova, but it is making a comeback in late 2024 in the form of a single cab truck. Yes, they will make it here and yes, it will be a proper utility truck that can be used both for business or for family travel.

Toyota Motor Philippines has held previews of the model before as the IMV 0 or Next Generation Tamaraw Concept, but the vehicles they showed us were much closer to the production units you can avail of at their many showrooms nationwide. And they let us actually open the doors to check out the interior.

For starters, it seems Toyota will be using the model name Hilux Tamaraw… or at least that’s what we gather from the badging on the vehicles. But more importantly, we were able to get more information on what kind of variants and body styles will be available. Yes, there will be multiple combinations.

[UPDATE: This article has been revised to show the correct variants]

For variants, there will be three:

2025 Toyota Hilux Tamaraw 2.4 Turbodiesel 6-speed A/T (High Spec)

2025 Toyota Hilux Tamaraw 2.4 Turbodiesel 5-speed M/T (Basic Spec)

2025 Toyota Hilux Tamaraw SWB 2.0 Gas 5-speed M/T (Basic Spec)

Yes, the Tamaraw will be available with the 2.4L turbodiesel engine with a choice of a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. In other markets, the tuning of the turbodiesel nets it 150 PS and 343 Nm in the manual or 400 Nm in the automatic.

The gasoline variant is the unusual one: it will be the 2.0L short wheelbase variant. There is a 2.7L version LWB abroad, but we won't get that. Toyota will use the 2.0L Dual VVT-I that is also used for the Indonesian equivalent of Tamaraw SWB.

There are two grades of the Tamaraw: high and basic. We’re not sure of the model nomenclature yet (e.g. G and J), but we know the high grade diesel comes with a 2-DIN touchscreen entertainment unit; as to the features of that, we can’t be sure, but we expect at the minimum Bluetooth, USB and possibly smartphone connectivity. The high grade also gets a gate-type transmission control similar to the current Fortuner/Hilux, albeit with the trim that reminds us of the first generation Fortuner/Hilux. Also, the high grade gets an instrument cluster devoid of a tachometer (RPM) gauge, though it does get power windows (auto for the driver), central door locks and power mirror adjust.

The basic model is the diesel or gas in 5-speed M/T, and these get a simpler 2-DIN audio unit that does get Bluetooth, USB, and Aux-In. The center console is simpler, and the dashboard doesn’t have the same orange/red accents on the A/C vents as the high grade model. Also, the basic model gets manual crank windows and manual adjust mirrors.

The other detail is the availability of multiple body types, namely:

Hilux Tamaraw Utility Van - FB style with folding side facing seats

Hilux Tamaraw Closed Aluminum Van – For deliveries

Hilux Tamaraw Dropside Truck – General purpose pick-up truck

Hilux Tamaraw Ambulance - Still being studied

Hilux Tamaraw Cab & Chassis - Still being studied for niche conversions

We were informed that the Tamaraw is being studied as a cab and chassis model similar to the L300. This will be for companies and customers that have specific requirements that may not be met by the options above. What we do know is that Toyota is working to set up production of the bodies in-house; meaning customers can purchase/order the model with the bodies as stated above without having to bring it to a partner body-builder. That means the vehicles will be ready to serve the moment the customer takes delivery. 

Currently, we’re just waiting on Toyota to start series production of the new generation Tamaraw at the Santa Rosa, Laguna factory. Based on what we’ve learned of their timelines, production will likely start in late Q3 or early Q4, with a launch (including pricing announcements) not long after.