Is a Hilux a Tacoma?
No, a Hilux is not a Tacoma. The Hilux is a pickup truck model produced by Toyota, while the Tacoma is a different pickup truck model also produced by Toyota. The Hilux and Tacoma are distinct vehicles with some key differences.
Differences Between the Hilux and Tacoma
The Hilux and Tacoma are both Toyota pickup trucks, but they are designed for different markets and have several distinguishing features:
- Market Availability: The Hilux is primarily sold in international markets outside of North America, while the Tacoma is Toyota's midsize pickup truck offering in the United States and Canada.
- Size and Dimensions: The Hilux is generally smaller and more compact than the Tacoma, with differences in overall length, width, and wheelbase.
- Engine Options: The Hilux offers a range of diesel engine options, while the Tacoma is available with gasoline engines, including V6 options.
- Styling and Design: The Hilux and Tacoma have distinct exterior and interior designs tailored to their respective markets.
While the Hilux and Tacoma share some underlying Toyota engineering and technology, they are separate and distinct pickup truck models designed for different regional needs and preferences.
Tacoma Overview
The Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck that has been sold in North America since 1995. It is known for its off-road capability, reliability, and versatility. The Tacoma is available in various cab configurations, bed lengths, and trim levels to suit a range of customer needs.
Hilux Overview
The Toyota Hilux is a compact and midsize pickup truck that has been produced since 1968. It is primarily sold in international markets outside of North America, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. The Hilux is renowned for its ruggedness, durability, and capability in challenging off-road conditions.
In summary, while the Hilux and Tacoma are both Toyota pickup trucks, they are distinct models designed for different regional markets and customer needs. The Hilux is not the same as the Tacoma, despite some underlying similarities in their Toyota heritage.
What was the old name for the Toyota Tacoma?
The Toyota Tacoma replaced the Toyota Pickup, which was the North American name for the global Toyota Hilux. Introduced in 1995, the Tacoma was designed with a greater focus on ride quality, safety, and comfort compared to its predecessor, the more utility-focused "Pickup".
- Toyota Pickup / Hilux: The Tacoma was the successor to the compact pickup truck that had been sold in North America since 1976 and was known globally as the Hilux.
- New Focus: The Tacoma represented a shift for Toyota, prioritizing improvements in safety, comfort, and handling, in addition to the truck's core capabilities.
- Market Context: By the late 1980s, Toyota recognized that the market was shifting and that an upgrade was needed, which led to the development of the Tacoma.
Are Toyota Tundra and Hilux the same?
Not surprisingly, the Tundra trumps the HiLux with its superior towing capability – 4.3 versus the HiLux's 2.5 tonne. The American pick-up also comes equipped with a tow pack, as well as Trailer Sway Control and a Tow transmission mode.
What is the Hilux called in the US?
The Toyota Tacoma is the US equivalent to the Toyota Hilux, though the two trucks have diverged over time to meet different market needs. The Tacoma was developed specifically for the North American market, while the Hilux is sold globally elsewhere.
Key differences
- Design and features: The Tacoma is slightly larger and wider to appeal to American tastes and features are more focused on comfort and technology. The Hilux is designed for a global, often more utilitarian, market and can be more rugged.
- Engine: Historically, the Tacoma has come exclusively with gasoline engines, whereas the Hilux has been offered with a variety of engines, including many diesel options, which are not popular in the US light truck market.
- Market focus: The Tacoma is built in North America to comply with local regulations, while the Hilux is built in various other countries around the world, like Thailand.
Did the Tacoma replace the Hilux?
The Toyota Tacoma is a pickup truck that has been in production since 1995, and was initially designed to replace the Toyota Hilux. Over the course of its production, the Tacoma model has been released in three distinct generations.
