QOTD: Get Hi or Have a Taco?

Jack Baruth
by Jack Baruth

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?

Jack Baruth
Jack Baruth

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  • Maintainer Maintainer on Jun 02, 2017

    It wouldn't matter if they kept the Taco as-is or gave us the Hilux. It would sell just because its a Toyota. I sold Toyotas for a bit back in the late 1990s and rarely had trouble putting an up into a new vehicle. I doubt it's much different today.

  • Jeff Zekas Jeff Zekas on Jun 03, 2017

    Biggest difference twixt Hilux & Tacoma: the Hilux usually has a machine gun welded to the back and is carrying cheering Jihadis!

  • EBFlex China can F right off.
  • MrIcky And tbh, this is why I don't mind a little subsidization of our battery industry. If the American or at least free trade companies don't get some sort of good start, they'll never be able to float long enough to become competitive.
  • SCE to AUX Does the WTO have any teeth? Seems like countries just flail it at each other like a soft rubber stick for internal political purposes.
  • Peter You know we’ve entered the age of self driving vehicles When KIAs go from being stolen to rolling away by themselves.
  • Analoggrotto TTAC is full of drug addicts with short memories. Just beside this article is another very beautiful article about how the EV9 was internationally voted by a renowned board of automotive experts who are no doubt highly educated, wealthy and affluent; the best vehicle in entire world. That's planet earth for you numbskulls. Let me repeat: the best vehicle in the world is the Kia EV9. Voted, and sealed, and if you try to deny it Fanny Willis is ready to prosecute you; but she will send her boyfriend instead because she is busy.
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