[dpuneet]

I already own Isuzu VCross and I am totally in love with it. It have more than 76K on the odo now and not a single problem till date. However feel a need of remap sometimes with bigger offroading tyres. Other than that it is a pleasure to own and ticks all the boxes one can need.

[Axe77]

Never say never of course but I can't see myself owning a Hilux / V Cross style pick up in India. Its simply too much real estate to lug around all the time assuming its ever useful that one time a year.

If I took up off roading / jeeping as a hobby, I'd more likely buy a Thar or similar. If I wanted a big BOF SUV, I'd more likely but a Fortuner or similar.

The only scenario I could buy it is if I have a TRUCKLOAD (pun intended) of money AND time to the point where the cost of this vehicle is irrelevant to me, I have space to park it without a thought, I have taken some specific hobby like motocross or enduro (or track days) and I want to personally (for some bizarre reason) drive across the country in such a vehicle with the bikes loaded at the back, in order to experience the drive as well as the ride.

On current financial / aspiration projections, I don't see that happening.

Originally Posted by Bibendum90949

Cross posting my experience with V cross and couple of pictures.

A V-Cross with a Thule box on top as an extra??? That's some serious luggage hauling needs there!

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by 2000rpm

Completely impractical in India. I also dont understand why these products are popular globally?

Why would you ever buy a Hilux over a Fortuner, unless there is significant cost arbitrage.

Fortuner can carry the goods with much more security and safety.

AND carry passengers whenever required.

Carrying goods in a vehicle that has good interior trim, headliner etc will damage and dirty it, not to mention the smells that it would pick up. These days cardboard boxes are very smelly perhaps due to recycling.

I`d rather carry them in a Thar which has a rather basic interior or a pick up truck if they are big enough.

Having said that, I wont purchase one.

Premium pickup trucks currently available are not very good to drive daily nor will they fit into the social structure of our society all that well for now. Perhaps a more exciting version of pickup truck needs to arrive, something similar to a Gladiator or Raptor.

[abtyagi]

It really looks cool, but my Fortuner does everything with tag bit of comfort on top.

Farm work is done with tractors. And we don't grow anything(Wheat, Sugarcane) which requires a pickup truck. So in India, it's not for me, at least for now.

[petrogeek]

If the choice is between the V Cross and the Hilux then a big NO!

1. I am a big fan of pickups and would have loved to have one. However, in India the pricing is atrocious given that they are positioned as premium pickups. I suppose its targeted at folks who would take it out on weekends.


2. To my mind, in India, the Bolero Camper and Pickups are VFM, sturdy and gets the job done. There is no reason for M&M to launch a more refined version of these two variants given its monthly volumes i suppose. Would have been nice to have a refined version of something like a Scorpio Getaway!

Aaahh!! if wishes were horses..

[UD17]

A big No:

1. I don't have any use case for Pick up trucks
2. They are overpriced
3. Take lot of space (parking as well as on roads)
4. Less practical in Indian scenario (barring few people who can really do justice to the usage of Pick up trucks)
5. Many times- There are other costs associated in accessorizing the pick up trucks
6. Does not offer a snob value. A Thar is better in that aspect

[ketan007]

I think I would pass on both of these vehicles in India. As mentioned by many people, they are too costly and space-consuming.

With that kind of money, I would buy any M&M pickup truck and maybe a Harrier at the same time. I wouldn't say no to an F150 Raptor in the USA.

[Jaggu]

Do they even qualify as premium pick ups? These are normal pick ups at best but charges are more than premium. I had seriously considered buying one when they were sub 20 price range, for long travels with bike at the back. I regret that now seeing the prices 40 lakh for these??!!

Had to really vote, then I would go with Toyota. I have driven Isuzu extensively, but Toyota felt better in Fortuner guise. So hoping even the pick up variant would be similar apart from the ride ie.

[ambarkhan]

Every time I see a BOF SUV, I wonder why the Indian pickup market is leaving behind a crucial segment of affordable premium pickup trucks. On one end of the spectrum, we have the Hilux and VCross, both of which cost between 30-40 Lakhs on-road. On the other end, we have the Bolero Camper and Tata Yodha

The Getaway and Xenon were ahead of their time. If we could get pickups based on the Thar, Scorpio N, or Hexa in a similar price range as their SUV siblings, many potential buyers might convert who simply cannot afford a VCross or Hilux.

[veedub89]

I would love to buy a pickup.

But the Isuzu feels a bit too utilitarian and the Toyota is way too expensive for what it offers.

A pickup is a perfect choice for over-landing and for someone like me who loves their road trips, a vehicle like this makes perfect sense.

Having said this, I don't think a pick up can be the only car in your garage. You need a small hatch/sedan for intra-city runs and to counteract for that bumpy ride quality of the pickup at low speeds.

[narayans80]

I don't have heavy duty stuff to haul on a daily basis. Plus at 5300 mm x 1800 mm is way too big for city or countryside in India. Size wise I would top out at Bolero/Thar. Anything bigger than Innova is like hauling 2 elephants.

Originally Posted by 2000rpm

I also dont understand why these products are popular globally?

You'll find pickup trucks in hordes only on US of A. In Europe, I've seen such pickups being used on a very limited use case. I've seen lot of luggage hauling happens in Fiat Ducato or Doblo sort of vehicles.

[shobhit.shri]

This must be one of those few rare occasions when reading something on the internet changed my opinion so quickly

I never understood the point of pickup trucks in India, and now I feel I should aspire to the lifestyle that makes a pickup truck useful.


The truck is not the problem, the lifestyle needs a change! The BMW sedan looks so boring now.

[Sandy Damodaran]

So I'am a recent convert to BoF Diesel vehicles, and that only after experiencing a Pajero Sport in Kerala during Lockdown time. Got one for myself post that and enjoy it thoroughly, and was getting interested in the Pickups during the Hilux launch.

While I have never driven a Hilux, I managed to get a nice longish drive on V Cross and surprisingly, did not like the experience. I believe these are niche vehicles, and unless we have a purpose which utilizes their core strengths, and use them unladen on highways or mild off roads, these are not going to be fun to drive.

[2himanshu]

Originally Posted by nissar

Hilux owner here. Here is why i bought it:

I travel a lot with my cycles….

Same reason I want to get one, but they are too expensive for my otherwise low use

Enjoy the rides, outings & the truck

[kadanaJ]

Never!

Not in India, and quite frankly probably not anywhere else in the world either (including USA, the land of pick-ups).

They are overpriced, uncomfortable (bumpy BOF ride), not very quick, yet guzzle lots of fuel because of their massive weight, and they are hard to maneuver around in urban areas.

The rear-seats tend to be uncomfortable due to lack of space in the cabin. And then we come to the worst part; why is the dickey/boot open for the entire world to see what is being carried, and that open bed seems like a very tempting target for thieves.

Yes, I know there are lockable covers, but they completely defeat the purpose of a pick-up. Why not get an SUV at that point.

Maybe I'll consider a pick-up if I ever become a wealthy farmer, but for everyone else,
There is almost nothing a Toyota Hilux can do which a Fortuner cannot