The Adventures Of The Toyota Hilux

Despite its price and lack of creature comforts, Toyota's go-anywhere truck offers a ton of reliability and off-road spirit

- Afzal Rawuther

The Toyota Hilux's reputation precedes itself. It might not sell in the numbers that some North American trucks do, but it is universally recognised as a reliable pick-up truck that can take you to the corners of the world. Whether it's the Taliban mounting machine guns in its bed, insurgents in North Africa waging wars with it in the desert, or even conservationists using at as their vehicle of choice in ecologically sensitive areas, the Hilux consistently finds itself in applications that most SUVs simply can't take on. The nameplate itself has been around for decades now, and judging by the sheer number of perfectly preserved specimens in some of the harshest conditions on Earth, a Hilux is clearly builed to last. In India, it is being offered solely as a dual cab pick-up truck. And that isn't a bad thing at all, given its positioning in the country.

There's very little in our market that's meant for the same purposes as a Hilux. Sure, there are a few SUVs that are mighty capable, but not many are as practical as a pick-up truck, especially one that's comfortable as well as rugged. With a Hilux, you can easily haul bicycles, your scuba diving paraphernalia, or a full camping kit through truly unforgiving terrain.

Toyota wanted us to experience a bit of what its users would typically put the vehicle through. On a carefully curated route meandering through the Rajaji National Park, we were asked to tackle some challenging trails, rocky sections, steep descents along very narrow trails and a handful of obstacles on a partly dry riverbed.