Is the hilux truly superior?

i constantly see people talk up the Toyota hilux over the Tacoma as If it would just truly put out Tacoma’s In their place. Are they really that much better or do folks just want them because they are rare here and not sold new? I do think they are cool but I totally love my taco.

 

Not in aesthetics

 

Overseas, the 5-speed diesel is virtually unkillable. The ones we drove downrange as utility and people haulers were fantastic. There's also no way they can be imported to the US until they reach a "certain age" because the motors don't pass emissions standards.

 

People want what they can't have, just like diesel engines, chupacabra, sasquatch, the Loch Ness Monster, Santa Claus, Easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc.

 

Yes, you can drive a Hilux in Australia:

 

I think the build quality of the Hilux is superior to the Tacoma, I base this assumption on nothing.

 

Don't forget the cybertruck.....

 

Short answer.... Nope! I spent a month in Kenya bouncing around on goat paths in a Hilux and the only advantage over the Tacoma was with the manual tranny and Diesel engine it was very easy to push start which we had to do because of a series of electrical problems.

Edit: They are “superior” because you can still buy a real pickup truck, single cab-long bed.

 

You and nearly the entire instanetz!
But one guy traveled once and saw one, so he's now the authority.

 

I’ve driven both, obviously many Tacomas much more extensively, but honestly it seems to me there are some differences you can draw pros and cons from but most things aren’t something someone who daily drives their truck would even notice or benefit from.

Diesel fanboys pretending they’re going to out work a full size may want that.

But most folks throwing bikes in the back to go to the park aren’t going to notice difference in frame/bed/construction/etc.

I’m sure build quality is marginal at best, pretty close to the same overall ha.

 

It's always been that way. The kids in Japan want cars we have in the US and kids in the US want the cars from Japan. The Skyline is a great example. It's very over-hyped.

 

More likely you are actually referring to a small segment of the pick up buying market that desires a reliable truck with few bells and whistles.

I would be in that segment- true story...

 

No thanks look at the styling looks like a sad little Prius compared to the Tacoma ....
The bed to cab looks like it will rub when lifted and flexed
Hideous rear door window

Like Colorado / Canyon / Ranger the body line is to high looking and the whole slope from the rear looks like a afterthought

American trucks are headed to this sad look all-around the future was supposed to be cool not a let down

 

Took these in Osaka. I had never seen one till then. I actually think they look kinda cool.
Edit- I'm talking about the truck, not the 20 inch rims with low pros. Not my style lol.

 

i'm guessing only old men and wheelers would not complain about the diesel performance. this is a highway country and 180hp will bring out the hate in probably 8 of 10 users. oh the irony.

 

I drove a Hilux in Jamaica, and saw a few in Europe. The Jamaican version was a bare-bones, manual, diesel truck. Everything seemed like it was more utilitarian, nothing fancy at all. Some of the interior components seemed interchangeable with Taco. My Coles notes: Hilux is a Taco on a budget.

 

I mean... In practical terms, no. I can't buy a Hilux here so it's there's no competition. Tacoma wins.

Mighty Mouse vs. Superman? Batman vs. Sponge Bob? Tacoma vs. Hilux? I'll never know, man.

 

Looks like a stink bug with a Ridgeline front end.

 

For the record, I did say a small segment of the pickup buying market.

I actually don't care about modern diesel.

Everything I read about them is that they are expensive to maintain.

I prefer my utility vehicle to have fewer bells and whistles, but only because that is what I have had in the past and had grown used to.

I like my SR5 just fine though.

 

Nowhere near the durability of the LC overseas. The Land Cruiser wins.