THE RIGHT TO ROAM — AND RANT

Two examples of unrestrained automotive freedom. What if you had to pick just one, though?

- By Manaal Mahatme & Ruman Devmane Photographs Kaizad Adil Darukhanawala

Let's begin with an assumption. You aren't a thumb-twiddler who stays home listening to podcasts. You like being out there, in the wild, wild world. You have a knack for sniffing out trails, aren't emotionally dependent on traction and have a reputation for returning home with soiled adventure clothing. You drink out of tubes or hardy steel mugs and your idea of an ideal weekend getaway is one that ends in you looking like you've been rescued from under a pile of debris. In other words, you're exactly what Toyota and KTM had in mind, when they came up with the Hilux and the 390 Enduro R. One has established itself as the last word in reliability while the other, as a seriously fun tool that can go beyond where most dare. We're taking sides, of course. You'd do well to, as well.

RD: Last word in reliability? Understatement! The Toyota Hilux is bulletproof! No wonder it's the most popular car in Botswana, Iraq, Thailand and Australia — and 11 other countries. Some questionable entries in there, I agree, but hey, it's not for us to judge.

MM: True — the Hilux is indeed built like a cockroach wearing kevlar. But what's really the point of being indestructible if you can’t squeeze through life’s tight spots with a grin, right? The 390 Enduro R doesn’t need a reputation built in war zones... it builds stories, and really wild ones. And unlike the Hilux, it doesn’t require a parking space the size of a helipad.

RD: War zones? You? Your bike is so orange, you wouldn’t last a minute on a battlefield. Look at the Hilux! It may be football-field sized but it’s still so stealthy. What a timeless design, too! It’s the quintessential twin-cab pickup truck, and you know what gets mounted on its roof in some countries, right?