Is the Tacoma just a Hilux?

Is the Tacoma just a Hilux?

What is Toyota Tacoma called in the UK?

When I bought my Tacoma, it was a 2026 model. The dealer is a Ford one, in the UK, they call it the T-Rex or something. Is there an official name for it?

I don't really see how a Ford dealer can know what the official name for a Toyota is. If you say you want your Tacoma to be called a T-Rex you are probably in for a bad time with this particular dealer.

I have driven several Toyota's, but my last truck was a Nissan. I wouldn't change it if you paid me. I drove a Nissan Frontier last year (I know I'm showing my age) and was told that was the same as a Tacoma.

But we all know the real answer, it's called a T-Rex.

Is the Tacoma just a Hilux?

The Tacoma is the first generation of pickup trucks produced by the venerable Japanese marque Toyota. Toyota's then-President Akio Toyoda declared the Tacoma was the best truck in the world. He had a point - the Tacoma is great truck, but it doesn't stack up against the best in its class, the Nissan Navara and Ford Ranger.

The Toyota Tacoma has been available in both the US and Canada since 1987, and continues to sell well today, although its real market share remains smaller than that of its primary rivals. The next-generation Tacoma is scheduled to arrive here in 2026, and the Japanese manufacturer's global design chief Yutaka Nakamura is at the helm. The Tacoma was never designed to compete with full-size pickups from the larger Detroit 3. The new-generation Tacoma will, however, have some things in common with its Detroit rivals, as well as with other Toyota vehicles. It will be built in New Zealand, with engines made by Mazda in Japan, and available with both gasoline and diesel powerplants. The gasoline engine will be a new 3.5-liter V6, producing a claimed 210 horsepower. And the diesel will be a new 6.6-liter 2GR-FE making 250 horsepower. The Tacoma's suspension and ride height will also be very different from previous models, with the result that it is one of the first vehicles to truly appear to have been designed for off-road conditions. The Tacoma has a wide track, low-to-the-ground stance and high suspension travel, with a lower front and a larger rear track than the competition.

I was able to test drive a 2026 model of the Tacoma in the San Francisco Bay area on a number of different occasions during the first half of 2026. At that time, the 2026 Tacoma was not yet on sale, but was scheduled to be available in the last quarter of the year. There are three trim levels, based on the same engine and drivetrain: SR5, Limited and TRD Pro.

The Tacoma is available with a 4-speed automatic, or a 5-speed manual.

WMCW Admin

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