Toyota shed 760 kg for an electric Hilux. The car drove off, but the roof had no chance
On September 30, 2026, Toyota UK demonstrated a durability test of the electric Hilux, inspired by the famous challenges from Top Gear. A 760 kg camper trailer was dropped from a height of 9.1 meters onto the pickup’s roof, after which the damaged vehicle started up and drove away on its own.
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The video looks impressive, but it doesn’t replace safety testing or battery expertise. It does show, however, that the powertrain continued to function after a severe impact.
Internet users chose a trailer instead of a demolition ball
The legend of the indestructible Hilux largely originated in 2003. The Top Gear team struck the car with a demolition ball, submerged it in water, and then placed it on a 23-story building slated for demolition. The heavily damaged pickup managed to start up every time.
More than two decades later, Toyota decided to see if an electric version could be the star of a similar stunt. The company’s British branch organized a vote on Reddit. Users could choose between hitting it with a solid demolition ball or dropping a camper van from a great height.
The second option won. At Bentwaters Airport in Suffolk, the camper van was lifted by a crane to about 9.1 meters, a brand-new Hilux BEV was placed underneath it, and the tie was released. The lightweight camper van, made of wood and fiberglass, collapsed after hitting the cabin.
The pickup itself didn’t come out of the test unscathed. Its roof was deformed, the front windshield shattered, and the cargo bed was crushed. The damage to the bodywork likely renders the vehicle a total loss, even if it’s still mechanically drivable.
After the debris was removed, the Hilux started up and drove away immediately. Toyota claims that the battery mounted in the ladder frame and the two electric motors were not damaged. However, the provided materials do not include results from battery diagnostics or subsequent structural evaluations. It is therefore impossible to determine whether the system maintained full integrity and functionality after the impact.
This was a manufacturer-controlled demonstration, not a repeatable laboratory test. The trailer weighed 760 kg, but its fragile structure behaves differently from a solid concrete block of the same mass. The dramatic video provides more insight into the durability of the cabin and the ability to start the drive system than it does about the electrical safety of the Hilux after an accident.
The electric Hilux has a WLTP range of 257 km
The Hilux BEV is Toyota’s first mass-produced electric pickup and the first electric vehicle from the brand built on a chassis. All-wheel drive is achieved through two engines that together deliver 208 kW, or 278 horsepower, and 473 Nm of torque.
Toyota Hilux BEV
Manufacturer’s specifications
Powertrain
AWD, two engines
System power
208 kW, 278 horsepower
Torque
473 Nm
Battery
59.2 kWh
WLTP range
up to 257 km
WLTP urban range
up to 380 km
Maximum DC charging speed
125 kW
Charging from 10% to 80%
about 30 minutes
Towing capacity
over 1700 kg
Price in the UK
from £42,170 net
The lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 59.2 kWh is cooled by liquid. The declared range is up to 257 km in the mixed WLTP cycle and 380 km in the urban cycle. Fast DC charging reaches a maximum of 125 kW, and it takes about 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.
The vehicle also features a Multi-Terrain Select system with five driving modes. The electronics adjust the drive and traction control based on the type of surface. The electric Hilux can tow a trailer weighing over 1700 kg, which is significantly less than the diesel versions designed for heavy-duty use.
In the UK, the base Hilux BEV Icon costs from £42,170 before VAT. This offer is primarily aimed at businesses. With a range of 257 km and reduced towing capacity, the electric version cannot replace the diesel in every application. Toyota itself assumes that diesel engines will remain the most popular option due to cost, refueling convenience, payload capacity, and towing strength.
More tests to come from Top Gear
Removing the trailer was just the beginning of the campaign. Toyota provided the same vehicle to Top Gear’s YouTube channel, which will subject it to further tests. The company also stated that the remains of the trailer were collected from the airport site and sent for recycling.
In addition to the electric version, the new Hilux is available with a diesel engine equipped with a mild hybrid system. Toyota has also announced a hydrogen-powered variant for 2028. For now, however, the most interesting question concerns the test drive: will diagnostics confirm that the battery was indeed not damaged, or did the Hilux simply manage to drive a few meters in front of the camera?
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