This midsize pickup nameplate was introduced for the 2006 model year as a fresh take on the traditional truck formula. The first generation arrived in North America with a car-like, unibody construction, a fully independent suspension, an integrated cargo bed, and clever utility features such as an in-bed storage trunk and a dual-action tailgate. That original run helped establish a reputation for mixing everyday comfort with genuine pickup usefulness, and it stood apart from more conventional body-on-frame rivals.
The first production period ran through the 2014 model year. After that, the nameplate was discontinued for a short time, creating a gap in the line. It returned for the 2017 model year with an all-new second generation that kept the original’s emphasis on refinement and practicality while updating the design, packaging, and truck utility features for a newer market. The revived version preserved the model’s identity as a more road-oriented pickup, aimed at buyers who wanted the flexibility of a bed without giving up SUV-like comfort and everyday usability.
Across both eras, this truck became known for doing things differently from the mainstream pickup class. Its combination of passenger-car manners, thoughtful storage, and unusual engineering gave it a distinctive place in the market and made it one of the more recognizable Japanese entries in the midsize pickup segment. The nameplate remains associated with innovation, clever packaging, and a focus on real-world usability rather than hard-edged work-truck character.