The truck we wish we had but have not been offered in the United States is the Toyota Hilux which is popular everywhere else in the world.
This truck is made to handle the work that needs to get done, offers to take you to the wilderness for some fun, and is just the right size to work great in tight European streets or in the Australian Outback. There’s no denying the rugged toughness, impressive quality, and unthinkable resiliency of this truck that we simply don’t get to drive. If we can get past the fact that it’s not offered in North America, we can admire what this truck brings to the road.
What Makes the Hilux So Important?
Even though you have to leave out the American market from the totals when you look at the numbers, the Hilux is the best-selling pickup truck in the world. While leaving out America is a bit odd, we buy more trucks than any other market in the world, it is saying something that this Toyota is the truck chosen more than any others. There are some excellent trucks that don’t find their way to the shores of the United States, and those are the competitors for the Hilux.
The Hilux came to the automotive market of the world in 1968, and since that time, 18 million models of this truck have been sold around the world. Similar to other Toyota truck models, the Hilux had not been updated in several years, but pressure from other models like the Ford Ranger Wildtrack and Volkswagen Amarok have made it necessary for Toyota to upgrade this truck and give the world a new version.
An Upgraded Build for the Toyota Hilux
The latest version of the Toyota Hilux is built to bring the higher species and improved features that many people are looking for in trucks. No longer are we satisfied with having trucks just be work vehicles, they need to be made for comfort and adventure as well. Toyota has met this challenge by offering a refreshed interior area with cool features that make this truck more enjoyable to drive. Some of these added pieces include heated leather seats, a new automatic transmission, and the latest infotainment system. Those that drive around in the Hilux will also experience the benefits of a JBL audio system and a set of LED headlights when they take a drive.
The Hilux Drives Like a Truck
In a world where trucks aren’t as common as they are in the United States, having a vehicle drive like a truck isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Although Toyota has tried to smooth out the drive of this truck, the fact that it uses leaf springs, large tires, has a tall ride height and has the weight distribution you expect in a truck, you’ll feel the ride like you would in a traditional truck. Even so, that might be just fine when you know you’ve got one of the most capable vehicles offered outside of North America.
The engine you see in this truck makes it easy to admire during any drive. The 2.8-liter turbocharged diesel four-cylinder engine returns 201 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft of torque which is routed through a six-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is excellent for low-end torque and towing power to give you a truck that can bring a trailer to wherever you need it to go. If you don’t need to pull a load, you can carry up to 2,000 pounds in the bed, which is large enough to handle almost everything you want to have with you.
Head Out on the Trails
One of the most amazing qualities of the Toyota Hilux is the package of off-road features that will make this truck right on any terrain. You’ll find an automatic limited-slip differential, the option of full-time 4WD, a transmission with a low-range mode, and hill descent control. The ground clearance is excellent, and the large wheels and tires will take you over any terrain that you find. Take this amazing truck out for a ride in the wilderness, and you’ll know that you’ve got the truck that never lets you down or leaves you behind.
Find The Comfort You’re After
With only a few trucks in the global market that compete with the Hilux, you’ll be pleased to have a cabin filled with quality materials and advanced electronics for your drive. An eight-inch touchscreen is situated in the center of the dashboard to give you the connectivity you need when you’re out for a ride. Enjoy compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that can give you the connection you want during your drive in the Hilux. There’s plenty of room for five people to head out for an adventure together in this impressive truck.
The Right Truck for Business Needs
One of the most common uses of the Toyota Hilux has been for this truck to be fitted to be a tow truck or fitted with a flat load cargo bed to haul a load of materials that are put in the back with a forklift. This truck has been tough, rugged, and used over the time it’s been in the market, and it always seems to meet the needs of the companies that depend on it to perform every day. If you were looking for a great truck to use during your workday, this would be the one to consider.
We Want It, but We Won’t Get It
It would be fantastic for Toyota to bring the Hilux to the United States to add it to the list of trucks that can be enjoyed in the midsize truck market. The Hilux uses a pair of diesel engines, which is likely one of the reasons we haven’t seen this truck sent to our shores. Of course, we do have the Tacoma, which is a fantastic truck, but wouldn’t it be great if the GM pair had a direct competitor for the diesel models they offer? It would certainly make for a more interesting truck market.
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