Volkswagen Tarok will arrive in mid-2026 on the national automotive market, debuting the 1.5 TSI Ev02 flex engine. The Tarok pickup will arrive in Brazil to compete directly with the Toyota Hilux.
Highly anticipated in automotive market, the Volkswagen Tarok pickup truck will finally be launched, positioning itself to compete with giants in the segment, such as the renowned Toyota Hilux. Initially presented as a concept at the São Paulo Motor Show in 2018, the Tarok is ready to go beyond the concept and enter production in the first quarter of 2026.
Volkswagen Tarok delivers 150 horsepower
The production version of the Tarok pickup truck, a rival to the Hilux, has some changes compared to the concept presented in 2018. The MQB-A base of the Taos was replaced by the MQB A0 matrix of the T-Cross, resulting in a pickup truck with the compact SUV body, but with an unprecedented structure at the rear, featuring a bucket and double cabin.
One of the changes that drew the most attention to the Volkswagen Tarok was the use of a rigid axle rear suspension with semi-elliptical springs, instead of an independent suspension present in the initial concept. The change aims to increase the cargo capacity and reliability of the Tarok pickup, even if it means removing some comfort on board.
The Tarok maintains a compact-medium size, similar to that of the Chevrolet Montana and Renault Oroch, focusing directly on these competitors. As for the engine, the Volkswagen Tarok, a rival to the Hilux, may debut the 1.5 TSI Evo2 flex engine with 150 horsepower and 25,5 kgfm of torque, replacing the current 1.4 TSI, and will be coupled to an automated dual-clutch transmission with seven gears. While the possibility of 1.0 turbo engine versions is uncertain, there are rumors about work-oriented manual versions.
Volkswagen will invest R$1,5 billion in the production of its new Tarok pickup truck
Volkswagen Tarok production, Toyota Hilux rival, will be in São José dos Pinhais (PR), together with the T-Cross, with an estimated investment of between R$1 billion and R$1,5 billion. A new modular assembly process will be implemented to facilitate the integration of the vehicle’s “front end”.
Although the Tarok pickup truck name is used by the brand's engineers, there is no guarantee that it will be the official name of the production version. However, expectations are high for the arrival of this new competitor in the intermediate pickup truck market.
It is worth mentioning that Volkswagen has been standing out in the national market, and Saveiro is one of the best-selling medium pickup trucks in the country and continues to be available in the 2024 line in Robust, Trendline and Extreme versions. The Volkswagen Saveiro Robust 2024 is aimed at work, with less aesthetic appeal, however, it still delivers some essential comfort items.
Mid-size pickup truck market is gaining prominence in Brazil
In addition to the new Tarok pickup truck, the Chinese JAC Motors launches the T9 in Brazil, its new medium pickup truck that comes to fight with the segment leaders, such as Fiat Toro and Toyota Hilux. With a competitive starting price of approximately R$200, modern design, onboard technology and good performance, the model has the potential to win over consumers looking for a robust, affordable and reliable truck.
The model is 5,33 m long (the same length as the rival Toyota Hilux), with a wheelbase of 3,10 m, 1,96 m wide and 1,93 m high, weighing a light 1976 kg and can accommodate up to 1090 L of luggage in the trunk and 900 kg at least in the Chinese configuration, which is only gasoline, but in versions with turbodiesel engines it has 1 ton and 50 kg of capacity.
