More than two decades ago, the Toyota Hilux gained legendary status after proving indestructible in the face of extreme Top Gear tests.
In 2003, the TV show subjected a Hilux pickup to a series of durability challenges. These ranged from being submerged in the sea to being placed atop a 23-storey tower block that was subsequently demolished.
The Hilux somehow survived all of these assualts, along with having a caravan dropped onto it from height.
So, when it came to demonstrating just how strong its new electric Hilux is, Toyota knew what it needed to do.
It turned to the power of the internet, and gave the Reddit community a choice between hitting a new Hilux with a one-tonne wrecking ball or subjecting it to a caravan drop.
Not a caravan of love
Hundreds of Reddit users voted, and recreating the caravan stunt from Top Gear emerged as the clear winner.
A trip to Bentwaters airfield in Suffolk followed, with a 760kg caravan hoisted some 30 feet above the new Hilux. It was then dropped directly onto the pickup truck.
Once the debris had settled, a team of engineers was called upon to thoroughly inspect the Hilux and assess the level of damage caused.
Somewhat predictably, the Hilux emerged with only modest bodywork scars and scratches after the caravan impact.
Living up to the legend of its predecessors, the electric Hilux could be powered up immediately after the stunt, then was driven off to fight another day.
It means the ‘indestructible’ reputation of the Hilux remains intact, although new tests are being prepared by the Top Gear team.
A hard-hitting Hilux
Chris Hayes, director of products and services at Toyota GB, said: “Hilux has earned its reputation as the world’s toughest pick-up. Following on from our launch of the ninth-generation model earlier this year, we wanted to honour that legacy and demonstrate how Hilux is still as impressive as it was decades ago, even when it’s powered by electricity.
“Dropping a caravan on it wasn’t just about repeating the famous TV stunt, it was our way of showing how Hilux’s core toughness remains intact.”
The latest ninth-generation Toyota Hilux was revealed in 2025. More than 27 million examples of the pickup truck have previously been sold.
Available with a choice of battery electric or diesel power, the latest Hilux can carry payloads of up to 1,065kg, and tow a braked trailer weighing up to 3,500kg.
Most importantly, the Hilux is apparently still capable of taking whatever the internet chooses to throw at it…
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