> The similar (but not identical) US model is the Tacoma.

This is a very common misconception.

At no point have the hilux and Tacoma shared any parts. Not engines, transmissions, frames, breaks, axles, wiring or anything interior.

The hilux is a small efficient turbo diesel with plenty of torque. The Tacoma is an anemic gas V6 that gets horrible mileages.

The Tacoma is significantly larger, and has a lower payload.

The hilux is an actual utility work vehicle, the Tacoma cosplays as one.

I’ve lived in Australia and Canada for 20 years each, driven many models of each many tens of thousands of kilometres.