Driven By Dad

26/09/2026

Can a Toyota Hilux actually work as a family car? 🤔

That was the question I wanted to answer after being given the keys to the 2026 Toyota UK Hilux BEV for a week.

Rather than just talking about range, power and specifications, I wanted to use it like a normal family vehicle.

School runs. Shopping. Everyday driving. Public charging. Family activities. And a day out to Piglets Adventure Farm in York with the kids.

And actually, I came away thinking this could make a lot of sense for a very specific type of family.

If you're a local tradesman or someone who genuinely needs a pickup for work during the week, but then need that same vehicle for the school run, taking the kids to their activities, loading up bikes, muddy gear, shopping and everything else family life throws at you...
The Hilux BEV really can do it all.

You don't necessarily need a separate family SUV and work pickup when one vehicle can cover both jobs.

There are obviously compromises, and not everyone needs or wants a pickup but if you need a pickup anyway, this starts to become a very interesting family vehicle.

I've now put together the full review for Driven By Dad, looking at what the electric Hilux is actually like to live with from a family's point of view.

And yes... I even had to live with it for a week without having a home charger! 😂

🎥 Watch the full review here:

https://youtu.be/GH3jEN4YskU

I'd love to know if you needed a pickup for work, would an electric Hilux make sense as your one vehicle for both work and family life?

The Toyota Hilux has always been known as a tough, practical pickup...

25/07/2026

The Lexus NX450h+ is a Plug In Hybrid combining a 300+ who petrol engine and electric motor with a fully electric range of 30-40 miles if you charge it regularly.

That can be the school runs, shopping and local commutes on electric which reduces the cost in fuel.
What do you think?

Lexus

22/07/2026

Check out the interior of the Lexus NX450h+
Great build quality, premium materials and a practical design.

Lexus

21/07/2026

This one thing that annoyed me in the Lexus NX450h+.
May just be me 🤣

Lexus

21/07/2026

The Design of the Lexus NX450h+ is sharp and premium.

What do you think of the exterior styling?

Lexus

19/07/2026

I always enjoy getting behind the wheel of something a little different, and I have recently spent a week with the 2025 Lexus NX 450h.

On paper, it's got everything you'd expect from a premium SUV, loads of tech, a really nice interior and Lexus's reputation for reliability. But numbers only tell part of the story.

What I really wanted to find out was whether it actually works as a family car. Is it comfortable? Is it practical? And perhaps the biggest question... is it worth spending over £50,000 on?

I've shared my honest thoughts in my latest review, covering everything from the driving experience and fuel economy to the interior, practicality and who I think this car is really aimed at.

If you're considering a premium hybrid SUV, I'd love to know your thoughts after you've watched it.

🎥 Watch the full review here: https://youtu.be/3xcm7WH9png

Lexus

Is the 2025 Lexus NX 450h the best premium hybrid family SUV you ca...

16/07/2026

Can the new Toyota Hilux BEV handle a proper family day out? 👀🚙

That's exactly what we're putting it through with The Dad Test.

This week, we loaded up the Hilux BEV and headed to Piglets Adventure Farm in York to see how it coped with one of the most important jobs any family car has to do – making a day out easy, comfortable and enjoyable.

The Hilux was comfortable on the journey, there was plenty of room for the kids and all our picnic gear, although with a family of six we still needed to take my wife's Toyota C-HR too! Maybe it's time I got a proper 7-seater on test... 😄

As for Piglets... what a brilliant day. There really is something for children of all ages, and we'd happily recommend it to anyone looking for a fun family day out this summer.

☀️ Piglets' 50 Days of Summer runs from 18th July to 6th September, with loads of extra activities and entertainment throughout the holidays.

🎟️ Their Summer Pass is also fantastic value at £25 per person (under 1s go free), giving unlimited visits throughout the event.

A huge thank you to the team at Piglets for having us. This adventure will also feature in my full Toyota Hilux BEV Dad Test review, coming soon to YouTube.

What's your favourite family day out in Yorkshire? Let me know in the comments! 👇

PR Trip
👪
Toyota UK Piglets Adventure Farm

15/07/2026

One of the things I want Driven By Dad to be about is showing how a car fits into real family life—not just talking about specs, but getting out and making memories.

This weekend we took the new Toyota UK Hilux BEV on a family day out to Piglets Adventure Farm in York.

First impressions? The Hilux was a really comfortable place to spend the journey. There was plenty of room for the kids and all the picnic gear, although with our family of six we still needed to take my wife's Toyota C-HR as well! Hopefully one day I'll get to put a proper 7-seater through The Dad Test. 😄

As for Piglets, we had a brilliant day. There's so much to do for children of all ages, and it's definitely somewhere I'd recommend if you're looking for a family day out over the summer holidays.

If you're planning a visit, they're currently offering a Summer Pass for £25 per person (under 1s go free), giving unlimited visits from 18th July until 6th September, which is fantastic value if you're local or planning more than one trip.

A huge thank you to the team at Piglets for having us. Keep an eye out, as you'll be seeing more from our visit as part of the full Driven By Dad Hilux BEV review coming soon on YouTube.

Have you been to Piglets before, or do you have another favourite family day out in Yorkshire? 👇

26/06/2026

After spending a week with the Toyota RAV4 GR Sport, I can finally see why they're absolutely everywhere.

It might not be the newest SUV on the market anymore, and there are definitely more exciting options out there, but as an all-round family car it just gets so much right.

The hybrid system is smooth, it's comfortable on longer journeys, there's plenty of room for family life and it never feels like hard work to drive. Sometimes the best family cars are the ones that just quietly get on with the job, and the RAV4 does exactly that.

🚗 Driven By Dad Rating

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Practicality: 9/10

🧳 Boot & Storage: 9/10

😌 Comfort: 8/10

⛽ Efficiency: 9/10

🎒 School Run Score: 9/10

🚗 Dad Enjoyment: 7/10

🏕️ Adventure Score: 8/10

💰 Value For Money: 8/10

⭐ Overall: 67/80

For me, the biggest compliment I can give the RAV4 is that I'd happily load the family up and head off on a road trip tomorrow without a second thought.

What do you think? Is the RAV4 still one of the best family SUVs around or are there better options out there now?

Toyota UK

25/06/2026

Good Morning, I wanted to share a quick update from me 👋

Some of you might know me from my old YouTube channel Pitt Motoring — I’ve been creating car content on there for a while now.

I’ve decided it was time for a bit of a refresh, so I’m moving everything over to Driven By Dad.

Same person behind it all, just a clearer direction for what I’m doing going forward.

This page is where I’ll be sharing:

- Real-world family car reviews
- Road trips and days out
- Behind the scenes from YouTube videos
- Photography from the cars I get to work with
- General family life with the cars we test

The focus is simple, how these cars actually work for everyday family life, not just spec sheets and press releases.

First proper content under the new name is already in the works, starting with some exciting vehicles lined up over the next couple of months.

Appreciate everyone who’s followed the journey so far and has subscribed to the channel, plenty more to come under Driven By Dad 🚗