Team-BHP - Which Pickup Truck? Toyota Hilux STD vs High MT, or perhaps the Isuzu V-Cross?

Woah!
Thanks for such detailed responses and suggestions. This has really made it easier for me to take the decision.

Key takeaways from all your learned responses:

1. Hilux > iSuzu
2. Overall, the pickup decision in itself is fundamentally impractical and not financially wise.

So, based on these two takeaways:

1. Hilux it is instead of iSuzu
2. Sticking to STD MT instead of splurging extra on the High/AT variant.

Just a bit of note on overall scenario and use-case:

1. My 12-year-old XUV500 W8 is still running like a charm, and I intend to keep it for at least 3 to 4 more years!

2. The plan is to replace it with whatever suits me then (a 7-seater family car with just enough off-roading capabilities).

3. Though the XUV is still running nicely, considering its age, I have been feeling a bit reluctant to take it on remote/long mountain trips, especially during winter/snow seasons, for two years.
So, yes, we can buy a 7-seater proper SUV today to replace the XUV directly, but we should delay that for 3-4 years so as to tick mark the cool pickup dream of the boy inside, which can serve the off-road/Himalayan purpose while the current XUV keeps serving everything else.

Since its a impulse buy it means there is need of a car but this segment because of something different.

Futhermore comparison between these two models as price must be similar due to discounts on Toyota.

My recommendation is not on basis of how well which model is mechanically as both I am assuming would be good. Instead my recommendation is basis your impulse buy and decision to buy something different.

Go for Hilux as a segment above suv is coming for segment below price. It will give you sense of satisfaction in long term. We all have been there thats why comparisons like BMW X1 vs Skoda Kodaq etc exist.