NixMg6-xAl1.8Ce0.2 (with 0 <= x <= 6) mixed oxides catalysts were prepared by hydrotalcite route. All the oxides were calcined at 800 degrees C and characterized by different physicochemical methods. The catalysts are then reduced before their use in the steam reforming of toluene. The XRD and TG/DTA confirmed the formation of the hydrotalcite structure for the non-calcined samples. The N-2 adsorption/desorption results revealed that all catalysts correspond to mesoporous materials. The study by temperature programmed reduction (H-2-TPR) showed that the reducibility of the catalysts is influenced by the nickel content. The CO2-TPD results showed that the catalyst with high magnesium content present the highest basicity. The Ni2Mg4Al1.8Ce0.2 shows the best toluene conversion among all the catalysts and it was then compared to a non-promoted catalyst. The spent catalysts were characterized by TPO, TG/DTA and XRD and they didn't reveal any coke formation. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.