The story of the Toyota Hilux on Top Gear is a saga that spans multiple seasons and
specials, cementing its role not just as a prop, but as a recurring character in the
show's most ambitious and memorable challenges. Its legendary reputation wasn't
built on a single stunt; it was forged through a series of increasingly absurd and
difficult trials.
The Original "Killing" Test (Series 3, Episodes 5 & 6)
The genesis of the legend was a two-part special where Jeremy Clarkson set out to
definitively prove whether the Hilux's reputation for indestructibility was deserved.
The target was a humble, high-mileage 1988 model, purchased for just £1,000. The
tests were designed to simulate a car's "death" in the most imaginative ways
possible, far beyond a simple crash test.
• The Unbelievable Recovery: The most shocking part of this segment, beyond
the tests themselves, was the ease with which it could be revived. After each
brutal attempt at destruction, the mechanics (a few blokes from the Top Gear
studio, not trained Toyota engineers) were given simple tools and no spare
parts.1 The fact that the engine would start and the truck would move, even
after being dropped from a skyscraper, became the central, repeated
punchline. The final shot of the "dead" Hilux driving into the studio, battered
and broken but still running, is one of the most iconic moments in Top Gear
history.
The Arctic Polar Special (Series 9, Episode 3)
Following the demolition test, the Hilux became the show's go-to vehicle for extreme
expeditions. Its next major appearance was in the groundbreaking "Polar Special,"
where Jeremy Clarkson and James May attempted to be the first to drive a car to the
North Pole.2
• A Different Kind of Hilux: This wasn't the battered 1988 model. For this
journey, they used a brand-new, modern Hilux, but it was heavily modified by
the Icelandic company Arctic Trucks.3 The modifications were extensive,
including:
• Massive 38-inch studded snow tires, which required a completely new
suspension setup and enlarged wheel arches.4
• A powerful winch, a crucial tool for pulling the truck out of deep snow or
crevasses in the sea ice.
• A supplemental fuel tank and a specialized engine heater to prevent the
diesel from gelling in sub-zero temperatures.5
• The Race Against Time: The Hilux, though modified, was still just a truck. It
was pitted against a team of dog sledders driven by Richard Hammond. The
Hilux proved its worth by navigating treacherous sea ice and massive "pressure
ridges"—where huge blocks of ice were pushed up into mountains by the
shifting plates beneath. It became a symbol of man's ability to conquer the
environment with technology and engineering. The image of Clarkson and May
drinking a gin and tonic in the Hilux at the North Pole is a perfect
encapsulation of their audacious, and surprisingly successful, journey.
The Volcano Climb (Series 15, Episode 1)
The story of the Hilux didn't end with the North Pole. In a subsequent episode, James
May and a team of volcanologists used one of the same Arctic Trucks Hiluxes to drive
up the side of an erupting Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, to collect samples of
ash.6
• A Test Against Nature's Fury: This was a different kind of challenge. Instead
of extreme cold, the Hilux faced searing heat, falling ash, and an unstable,
shifting volcanic landscape. The truck, with its massive tires and rugged build,
once again proved to be the only vehicle capable of navigating such an
inhospitable environment. It showcased the Hilux's versatility and its ability to
be adapted for any challenge, no matter how specialized or dangerous.
The Bolivia Special (Series 14, Episode 6)
In perhaps their most grueling special, the trio attempted to drive from the Amazon
basin to the Pacific Ocean across Bolivia. Richard Hammond chose a Toyota Land
Cruiser, a close relative of the Hilux, for the journey. While not a Hilux itself, the
special highlighted the shared "bulletproof" DNA of Toyota's off-road vehicles.
• Surviving the "Death Road": The Land Cruiser had to endure being pushed to
its limits, climbing through the Andes on what is known as the "World's Most
Dangerous Road" and navigating a hostile landscape. The fact that it survived
where other vehicles might have failed further cemented the family's
reputation.
The Toyota Hilux's repeated appearances on Top Gear transformed it from a mere
workhorse into a television icon. The show's stunts, while entertaining, were not just
for laughs. They were a genuine and surprisingly effective demonstration of the
vehicle's core qualities: resilience, reliability, and an almost superhuman ability to
endure. The Hilux didn't just survive Top Gear; it became a symbol of its golden age, a
vehicle that proved that some legends, truly, are indestructible.
