Toyota Hilux Cabin Storage Space – Is It Sufficient?

The Toyota Hilux, while known for its rugged build and excellent off-road capabilities, does have limited cabin storage space, especially when it comes to long trips o r carrying a lot of gear inside. The space inside is designed primarily for passenger comfort and functionality, but it might not always meet the needs of those looking to store a lot of gear, luggage, o r other essentials for extended trips.
1. Interior Storage Space in the Hilux:

Cabin Space: The cabin offers a decent amount of space for passengers, but it doesn’t have an abundance of dedicated storage areas. There are cup holders, a glove box, and door pockets for smaller items, but large items like bags o r gear can take up a lot of space, especially if you’re traveling with passengers.

Storage Capacity: The rear seats can fold down, but even with this flexibility, the interior storage space may not be ideal for carrying bulky o r oversized items inside the cabin.

Center Console: The center console provides some space for storing electronics, papers, o r other small items, but it may not be enough for those looking for more substantial storage for long trips.

2. Enhancing Storage Space:

Many Hilux owners looking to increase the storage options inside the cabin opt for a few practical modifications and accessories. Some common ones include:

Seatback Organizers: Installing seatback organizers behind the front seats can give you additional compartments for holding smaller items like snacks, books, o r electronics. This is especially useful if you have rear passengers who need storage for personal items.

Under-Seat Storage: Some models offer under-seat storage compartments, which are perfect for storing tools, camping gear, o r emergency equipment. If not, you can consider customizing o r adding storage bins to make use of this space more effectively.

Trunk Dividers o r Cargo Nets: If you’re carrying extra gear in the back, a cargo net o r divider can help keep things organized and prevent your items from rolling around in the truck bed o r cabin.

Roof Storage: If the cabin space feels tight, you can use the roof rack o r roof box to carry bulky items like tents, luggage, o r other camping gear, freeing up cabin space for more essential items.

3. Passenger Comfort vs. Storage:

If youre traveling with multiple passengers, the back seats can be a bit tight for additional storage beyond personal bags o r a few small items. However, the Hilux Double Cab models tend to have more room in the back seats compared to the Single Cab o r Extra Cab, so this could be a factor if youre planning long trips with family o r friends.
4. Custom Storage Solutions:

For those who need extra storage for a long road trip o r overlanding, there are a number of aftermarket storage solutions available:

Overhead Storage: You can install overhead consoles to store things like maps, sunglasses, o r small electronics.
Custom Console Storage: Some owners opt for custom center consoles o r storage drawers that can fit into the existing space between the seats.

5. Off-Road o r Overlanding Modifications:

If youre taking your Hilux on extended off-road trips o r overlanding, you might also consider adding towing accessories like a trailer o r towing box, o r even canopies to the truck bed for additional storage capacity. These can significantly increase your ability to carry camping gear, supplies, o r other large items without crowding the cabin.