QOTD: Get Hi or Have a Taco?

I just had a chance to see the newest version of the Toyota Hilux out on the road. For those of you who don’t waste your time watching Top Gear, the “Hilux” is the newest variant of The Toyota Truck Formerly Known As The Toyota Truck. Once upon a time, Toyota sold the same compact truck all over the world, although there were minor differences like double-walled beds for the American market and so on. With the arrival of the Toyota Tacoma, we Americans got a compact Toyota truck of our very own. But was this a good thing? And should Toyota make the otaku happy by bringing us the global vehicle?

Come to think of it — is there even a difference between the Hilux and the Tacoma?

That’s a question that is surprisingly hard to answer just based on Internet research, but it appears that the current generation Tacoma and new Hilux are closer than they have ever been from what I’ve read. The frame is different, with Toyota seeming to indicate that the Tacoma’s is less rigid. The interior and interior are different, and the Hilux is narrower. The Tacoma has more available luxury options. Finally, the Hilux is usually sold with a diesel four-cylinder engine, while the Tacoma has gasoline power in both four and six cylinder variants.

The general consensus of people who have driven both is that the Hilux is prone to squeaks and rattles but seems to be “heavier-duty” than the Tacoma. It’s worth noting, however, that neither truck looks anything like that famous old square-rigger driven by Marty McFly and insurgents alike.

My opinion, after giving a few Euro Hiluxes the ol’ look over, is that the Tacoma is better at providing what Americans want and need in a truck. What do you think? Are you happy with what we get in North America, or do you secretly dream of the forbidden fruit?