Once we made the decision to take this overland trip through South America, the next big question was: which is the right car for us? 

We knew right away that this wasn’t just about picking any vehicle. The car was going to be our home on wheels, our way of reaching those remote places we’ve always dreamed about, and our partner through the unpredictable roads of South America. That meant we had to be intentional.

At first, we debated between getting an SUV or a pickup truck. SUVs can be very comfortable for long drives and are built for comfort, which is appealing when you’re spending hours on the road.  The Libra in Mafé started the balancing act, and the engineer in Scott went into full problem-solving mode.  

• We wanted a car that could handle remote roads and rough terrain.
• It needed to be compact enough to manage narrow, winding mountain roads – which we love!
• It needed to be comfortable for long stretches behind the wheel.
• We wanted the option to camp – ideally with a rooftop tent – that meant it had to be versatile.
• It had to be reliable and easy to repair in South America.
• It was essential to have a car that wouldn’t stand out too much.

At the end of the road, figuratively and literally speaking, we wanted our four-wheeled partner to take us anywhere and everywhere safely!  

Before we got too deep into the back-and-forth debates, we decided the best way to really know what we wanted was to see the cars in person. So, we went to Colombia and spent time checking out different options. We tried both SUVs and pickup trucks and explored different brands.  We talked with a lot of locals who are familiar with off-roading. 

Being behind the wheel of each one made the decision more tangible. We could sense which potential partners felt too bulky for the narrow mountain roads and which ones offered the comfort and practicality we were looking for. This hands-on exploration was crucial — sometimes, you just have to test it to know.

After a lot of consideration, we realized a pickup truck checked more of our boxes than an SUV: with a dual cabin, we still get plenty of back seating space, and the truck bed gives us plenty of flexibility for storage and modifications. It also opens up the possibility of building out a more functional camping setup.

When it came down to brands, the choice felt obvious: Toyota. They’re known for reliability, and Toyotas are everywhere in South America, which means parts and mechanics familiar with the brand aren’t hard to find. That gave us peace of mind — one less thing to stress about on the road.

So, after all the back and forth, the pickup truck it was – a Toyota! This decision set the stage for the next step in our journey: finding the right one and outfitting it for the adventure ahead. 

Sneak preview: should we buy the Toyota Hilux in Colombia or should we buy a Toyota Tacoma in the United States?  Well, you know the answer, but how we reached that milestone will be on the next post!