Rank and Argue On Looks Alone: All Toyota Small Truck Gens (Pickup, Hilux, Tacoma)

With the new 4th gen out I've been thinking alot about the general look of Tacomas/Hiluxs from their first introduction to now. As much as I want to love the 4th gen, something about the front fascia just puts me off. So much so that I think it may be my least favorite.
Here's my personal ranking from best to worst:

1. 1984-88 Hilux/4th gen pickup. Ever since I saw Back to the Future as a youngin', the Marty McFly Hilux became the pinnacle of trucks for me. The xtra cab with the lowered back window is just *chef's kiss*

2. Third Generation Toyota pickup 1979-1983 an absolute looker in terms of rugged design and no frills, classic small truck look.

3. 3rd Generation Tacoma. While the drivetrain is certainly wonky, I love the look of it.

4. '89-94 pickup while not as cool looking as the 84-85 design, it did a nice job of looking a little sleeker while not totally reinventing the wheel.

5. 2nd Gen Tacoma. It's fine. Nothing to look at but nothing awful either.

6. 1st Gen Tacoma. I think they tried too hard to make this one look sleek. The weird wavy body lines kinda ruin it for me. Generally blah and not exciting looking.

7. 4th Gen Tacoma. The girl you settle for at last call. Yeah, when the lights are on she ain't all there and has a weird face, but she's still got some other okay features to look at.

8. 2nd Gen Pickup. It's an improvement over the 1st gen, but still not much better.

9. 1st Gen Toyota pickup 1968-72. Ouch. Like the designers were trying too hard to make it American with only a description given via Tin Can Telephone.


Reference Pictures:
The First Generation Toyota Pickup1968-1972


Second Generation Toyota Pickup 1973-1978



3rd Gen Pickup 1979-83



4th Gen Pickup/Hilux 1983-88


1989-94



First Generation Tacoma 1994.5 -2004



2nd Gen Tacoma

$90 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma With 4L Right Petrol intake air snorkel kit high performance system compatible kit Replacement black Rotational Molding (2005-2015)

2005-2015



3rd Gen Tacoma 2016-2024



4th Gen Tacoma

https://***************/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/4th_Gen_2024_Tacoma_04-scaled.jpg

 

1st Gen Taco began in 1995.5. The end of the Pickups was in 1995.

 

3g is at the bottom of that list for me, as I've never warmed to the massive grill.

 

I definitely won't ask how you feel about the new tundra then lol

 

On my phone it appeared as set of refinished sofa springs surrounded by a chrome Fu-Man-Chu 'stache.

On my computer it looks worse.

OTOH, I suppose it's removal makes it easier to slide those engines out and back in again?

And OTOH, doesn't 'really' matter to me what they look like, as I'll never be in the market for one.

 

When I first saw the new tundra I immediately thought, "Hmm kinda looks like Hulk Hogan"

 

The 1st two hilux gens were nothing to me as a kid, I thought they were all from the 60's and that military personal brought them home from Vietnam or something. When I was a teen all the cool people were driving Datsuns until… the 79 Toy came out…and the rest is history.

my ranks:
1) 5th gen hilux - I had a brand new 93 white /blue sticker strip /sr5 /v6 / 4x4 xtra cab with the blacked out glass and Goodyear wrangler AT’s on brushed alloys. Sexiest truck I’ve ever seen. This was also the 4Runner gen that put SUV’s on the map and served notice to the industry that things were about to change.

2) 3 gen hilux - I had the 81 4x4 - my 1st ❤️

3) 2nd gen Tacoma - especially the 2012+

4) 3rd gen Tacoma

5) 4th gen hilux

6) 1st gen Tacoma

….and then take your pick between the 1st and 2nd gen hilux.

I’ve put many miles on all but the 1st and 2nd gen Hilux.