Japan’s TOP 3 Leading Pickup Trucks That Outperform the Rest

Japanese cars are known for their outstanding pickup truck technology
What are the 3 best Japanese pickup trucks?

Japan’s automobile manufacturing technology is comparable to that of Europe and the US. In particular, manufacturing technology for subcompact, compact, mini, and minivans is at its peak efficiency while taking advantage of Japan’s unique characteristics. Along with small-sized vehicles, its manufacturing technology for luxury cars and large SUVs is also excellent, making it popular in regions such as North America, where the preference for large vehicles is high.

In particular, Japanese pickup trucks are not inferior to those of their home country, the US. Surprisingly, many people are disappointed that Japanese pickup trucks are hard to find. What are the three Japanese pickup trucks are receiving good reviews worldwide?

The globally renowned midsize pickup Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma, a pickup truck produced by Toyota, was a compact pickup truck in its first generation but has grown into a midsize pickup truck over several generations. Although it is slightly less competitive than the Toyota Hilux, one of the most famous pickup trucks in the world, it ranked first among midsize pickups in the North American market.

There are a variety of detailed models to match the purpose of pickup trucks used for various purposes, and representative models include 2-door, 4-door, rear-wheel drive, and 4WD off-roader. The most recently released model has an in-line 4-cylinder 2.4L gasoline turbo engine. And depending on the trim, the entry-level model produces an output of 222 horsepower. For the mid-level model, it generates 278 horsepower, and for the high-end model, it produces 326 horsepower.

The Mazda BT-50 is based on the Ford Ranger

Mazda, well-known for its rotary engines, also manufactures pickup trucks. Its midsize pickup, the BT-50, has been in production since 2006 and is noted for its strong performance and load capacity. Initially, Mazda launched the BT-50 in partnership with Ford, basing it on the Ford Ranger pickup truck. After the partnership with Ford concluded, the BT-50 was redesigned, adopting a platform based on Isuzu’s D-Max, giving it a fresh appearance.

Installing a 3.0L diesel engine lowers Ford’s previously used 3.2L engine’s output, but fuel efficiency has improved, making it more practical. The BT-50, which has a towing weight of 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) and a payload capacity of 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs), is mainly sold in markets such as Southeast Asia and Australia.

Mitsubishi’s flagship pickup truck

The last pickup truck to be introduced is the Triton, which Mitsubishi has produced since 1978. Initially, it started as a compact pickup truck, but as time passed, its size increased, and it has now become a mid-sized pickup truck. Therefore, only the single cab specification was available initially, but with the second generation, the double cab specification could be selected.

This vehicle, equipped with a 2.4L in-line 4-cylinder engine and delivers power performance ranging from 184 horsepower to a maximum of 204 horsepower, is very popular in Southeast Asia, including Thailand. It will also be sold again in the Japanese market from February 2024. So far, we have looked at the types of Japanese pickup trucks recognized globally.