The highest-end Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD6 4X4 LEGEND RS AT, comes in at $52,883 (ZAR 917,900) in South Africa — a region where the Hilux features some of its best equipment compared to somewhere like the U.K. — and is equipped with a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine producing a scant 204 horsepower. That’s not a lot of power, but more concerning is that items like cruise control, an eight-inch multimedia screen, park-distance-control sensors, a reverse camera, and heated seats are the most luxurious of the standard equipment included in the vehicle, with barely any optional extras to speak of. The Ford F-150 Raptor, on the other hand, can put out up to 450 horsepower, depending on the engine configuration. The F-150 also features some advanced bells and whistles over and above what’s on the Hilux, like Pre-Collision Braking, a Lane-Keeping System, and optional Onboard Scales.
According to reviews, the Hilux is also fairly small, with limited interior space, and a smaller bed than the American competition. Ultimately, the more bare-bones Hilux is built for a different market, with a strong focus on the durability and off-road dependability that made it a fan-favorite in the first place. The U.S. vehicle market, on the other hand, demands a certain degree of luxury, which is why Toyota produces vehicles like the Tacoma and the Tundra instead.
