Pickup trucks are not popular in India when compared to the US or the Middle East, however, it does have a strong market in the commercial space. However, for those looking at personal-use pickup trucks, the Isuzu V Cross was the choice for long, alongside the Tata Xenon.
With the Xenon out of production for personal use, Isuzu was the only choice until the Hilux came along. And now, there’s a new pickup truck that will be launched soon, and here are the top 3 pickups one should consider in India.
Isuzu V Cross
Starting with the most affordable offering in India, the V Cross was the best-seller in the segment, owing to no competition. Owners have used the V Cross for various purposes, from going to malls to hard-core off-roading, and ‘pickup things’ like carrying loads and using them on the farm.
The Isuzu V Cross is powered by a 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that makes 161bhp and 360Nm of torque, mated to a manual or an automatic torque converter gearbox. The V Cross is available in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive options, making it ideal for various uses.
Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux needs no introduction at all, as the pickup is sold globally and is as tough as a pickup can get. The Hilux was launched in India in 2022, then sales were paused for a brief period, then resumed again, followed by issues owing to the type of registration it can get — either private or yellow.
That aside, the Toyota Hilux is powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine capable of 201bhp and 500Nm of torque, mated to a manual or a torque converter automatic gearbox. Unlike the V Cross, the Hilux is available with a standard 4X4 function.
Mahindra Scorpio X
The Mahindra Getaway returns, this time, based on the new Scorpio N. Mahindra has trademarked the name already and the launch can be expected this year. The concept form of the pickup, called the Pik Up, was showcased last year in South Africa.
Powering the Scorpio X could be Mahindra’s 2.2-litre diesel engine in the 172bhp state of tune, mated to a manual and automatic gearbox. The four-wheel-drive system, however, is unclear if it will be offered as standard, or optional like the Isuzu V Cross.