By KM Editorial | Kun Motors | April 2026

For forty years, the Toyota Hilux has been the default answer to one question in East Africa: “What pickup should we buy?”

It’s easy to see why. The Hilux earned its reputation through dusty decades of construction sites in Nairobi, mining operations in Lake Victoria basins, and NGO fleets crossing into South Sudan. When a Kenyan contractor budgets for a new pickup, Hilux isn’t a choice — it’s the category.

That’s starting to change, and the reason is the MAXUS T60.

The Problem With the “Safe Choice”

A brand-new Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4 6AT in Kenya retails for around $57,000-59,000 depending on specification. A 3-year-old Hilux with 60,000-80,000 km on the odometer — imported used from Japan, UAE, or the UK — costs $29,000-35,000.

Most fleet buyers choose the used import. The math seems obvious: half the price, same reliability.

But the math is wrong.

A 3-year-old used Hilux has already burned through its most reliable operating window. Parts that weren’t replaced by the previous owner — timing chains, injectors, turbochargers — start failing in year 4-5 of service. Warranty coverage? Zero. You pay for every repair.

By year 5 of ownership, a “cheap” used Hilux has often cost more in maintenance than a brand-new pickup would have cost outright.

What the MAXUS T60 Brings to the Table

The T60 is SAIC MAXUS’s supper star pickup, already proven in right-hand-drive markets including Australia (LDV sold 21,000+ vehicles in 2023, with T60 as its top model), South Africa, New Zealand, and Chile. In Chile, T60 took 18.9% pickup market share in 2022, ending 12 years of Japanese dominance in that market.

Here’s the direct comparison:

Engine: T60 runs a 2.0L twin-turbo diesel producing 120kW / 400Nm. Hilux 2.4 produces 110kW / 400Nm. Same torque, more horsepower, smaller displacement, better fuel economy.

Transmission: T60 is paired with a ZF 8-speed automatic. Hilux uses a 6-speed Aisin. ZF is the same supplier that builds transmissions for BMW, Audi, and Jaguar Land Rover.

Warranty: T60 comes with 5 years / 150,000 km factory warranty. Hilux offers 3 years / 100,000 km. That’s not a marketing tagline — it’s a direct financial commitment from the manufacturer.

Landed price in Kenya: T60 Double Cab 4WD 8AT Elite lands at approximately $45,800 — roughly $10,000 cheaper than an equivalently-equipped new Hilux.

Where T60 Still Trails

Let’s be honest about what Hilux still has that T60 doesn’t:

Brand recognition. Forty years of reputation doesn’t evaporate. If you’re a fleet buyer for a multinational oil company, choosing a Chinese brand requires justifying a decision that Hilux doesn’t require you to justify.

Residual value. Hilux holds roughly 70-75% of its value after 3 years. T60’s residual curve in East Africa is still being established. For buyers who plan to resell within 3 years, this matters.

Service network density. Toyota has authorized service centers in every major Kenyan town. MAXUS is building its network — currently Nairobi-centered, expanding to Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret through 2026.

The Real Question

The real question isn’t “Is the T60 as good as the Hilux?”

The real question is: “For what I pay, and what I need, what’s the best pickup I can buy in Kenya right now?”

For fleet operators whose economics are driven by total cost of ownership over 5-7 years, the T60 is now the rational choice. The upfront savings of $10,000 per unit, plus reduced maintenance costs during the warranty period, plus better fuel economy, adds up to $25,000-30,000 in cumulative savings over the life of each vehicle.

For a fleet of 10 pickups, that’s $250,000-300,000 that stays on your balance sheet instead of disappearing into depreciation and servicing.

What Happens Next

MAXUS T60 units are arriving in Kenya through Kun Motors East Africa (KMEA) starting Q3 2026. First deliveries are scheduled for mining and construction fleets in Nairobi, Nakuru, and the Rift Valley corridor.

If you’re a fleet operator evaluating your next pickup purchase, or a dealer looking at brand partnerships, this is the moment to have the conversation. The Hilux didn’t become the default overnight — it took decades. The T60 won’t replace it overnight either. But the inflection point has arrived.

Kun Motors is the authorized SAIC MAXUS distribution partner for Kenya and East Africa. Contact us at yangkuoming@kunmotors.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.