Toyota’s Hilux Rangga SUV offers seven seats, rugged style, and a $25,000 price tag—so why can’t we get it in the U.S.?
Toyota has just unveiled a quirky little gem in Indonesia: the Hilux Rangga SUV. Based on the Hilux Champ, this boxy three-row SUV is a unique mix of utility and affordability that feels like it was made to conquer anything the road throws at it. Unfortunately, for those of us in the U.S., this charming off-road-friendly people mover won’t be making its way across the Pacific anytime soon. And that’s a real bummer.
The Rangga is what happens when you take a Hilux Champ—a tough little pickup built on a ladder-frame chassis—and transform it into a budget-friendly SUV with room for seven. It’s made by New Armada, a local bodywork specialist in Indonesia, but here’s the cool part: it’s officially sold by Toyota dealerships there. This isn’t just a wild aftermarket project—it’s a proper production model, and it looks surprisingly cohesive.
From the front, the Rangga keeps the familiar face of the Hilux Champ, but things get interesting behind the B-pillar. The rear is a boxy add-on, complete with a taller roof, roof rails, and vertically-mounted LED taillights. The design feels rugged and utilitarian, with just enough polish to not look out of place in a Toyota showroom. And while it rides on 19-inch wheels and black cladding, it still screams “no-nonsense.”
Inside, the Rangga is all about practicality. It’s got a 2+3+2 seating arrangement, meaning you can haul up to seven people—though the third row looks a little tight. Faux leather upholstery and tech like a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a reverse camera, and dual-zone climate control make it feel surprisingly well-equipped for what it is. But don’t expect much space for luggage when the third row is in use; that cargo area looks pretty snug.
Under the hood, you’ve got two engine options. The entry-level 2.0-liter petrol engine makes 137 horsepower, while a 2.4-liter turbodiesel pushes out 148 horses. Both are paired with either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, and power goes to the rear wheels. It’s not a powerhouse by any means, but the Rangga isn’t trying to be—it’s built to be tough, cheap, and practical for everyday use.
Speaking of price, the Rangga starts at around $25,000 for the base petrol version. That’s a steal compared to Toyota’s Hilux-based Fortuner SUV, which starts at $35,800 in Indonesia. This makes the Rangga a fantastic value for families who need a capable vehicle but don’t want to break the bank.
Unfortunately, the Rangga is a perfect example of the kind of quirky, practical car we just don’t get in the U.S. It’s rugged, affordable, and has a unique charm that’s hard to find in our market dominated by big crossovers and luxury SUVs. For now, though, we can only admire it from afar—and dream of a day when Toyota might consider bringing something like it stateside. Fingers crossed, right?
