Toyota HiLux Gets the GR Sport Treatment. A GR Ute? Really?

Toyota HiLux GR Sport is the range topper of the model range, so perhaps we must redefine our idea of “Sport”. The Landcruiser also has a GR version, hardly a care-worthy sports car. Sports come in many forms and some of them are off-road motorsports, so in that light, the Hilux makes perfect sense.

Don’t expect the manic mechanicals of the Supra, Corolla or Yaris GR models. Instead, GR Hilux is based on a Hilux Rogue. Toyota claims HiLux GR Sport has the most powerful diesel engine they’ve ever stuck into a HiLux, and an upgraded suspension setup set it apart. No GR model is complete without the GR styling elements to make sure everyone knows you’ve spent more than the average punter. HiLux GR Sport is heftily priced at $73,990 plus on-road costs.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the new GR Sport would take the performance of the HiLux range to new levels.

“With input from Australian engineers and designers and comprehensive enhancements inside and out, the HiLux GR Sport makes Australia’s favourite ute even more appealing,” Mr Hanley said.

“Australians love powerful and capable pick-ups, and the HiLux GR Sport certainly delivers on that brief.”

HiLux GR Sport shares Rogue’s “wide-track” platform, and is 15mm taller, and the track is 135mm wider at the front and 155mm at the rear.

The new ute keeps the range’s off-road and carrying capability, but different front coil and rear leaf spring tuning give the HiLux GR Sport extra edge, if a puck-up ute can be said to have an “edge”. It comes with KYB monotube shock absorbers with a larger piston diameter. In a daring move, the rear sway bar has been left out, allowing greater axle articulation and ground contact over uneven surfaces.

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ABOVE: 2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport

An off-road sport needs tyres that can cope with lots of different surfaces, so 265/65R17 Bridgestone Dueler AT tyres come on unique black 17-inch Dakar style alloy wheels. The Dakar moniker should elicit memories of dust and sand, and above all, adventure.

Thankfully, there are 4-wheel disc brakes with 338mm x 28mm four-piston fixed red calipers at the front and 312mm x 18mm single-piston floating red calipers at the rear. Red means fast, right?

The GR mesh grille has ‘TOYOTA’ lettering and a GR badge, giving the model a slightly menacing look. The front bumper has a rejigged look for a better approach angle compared and there are new fog lamp bezels, a silver lower moulding, and a special GR skid plate.

Wheel-arch extensions have front aero ducts to reduce, as if that really matters on a pick-up truck. The powder-coated heavy-duty rock rails made of 2mm thick steel not only look sexy, but will give the HiLux GR Sport extra rock protection even if loaded to the gunnels. Campers will rejoice.

Red rear recovery points, a black rear bumper, towbar, towball and trailer wiring harness, bring the HiLux GR Sport to market ready to head straight for the hills.

HiLux GR Sport cabins have a “rally-inspired” leather-wrapped steering wheel, paddle shifters, a red center stripe, and of course, the GR logo. There are further GR logos in the front sports seats that are covered in leather/suede look, with grey stitching and red seat belts. Although HiLux GR Sport is likely to be used by a butch tradie boss, there is no harm in giving the interior more GR edge.

The GR look also adds aluminium pedals, a ‘Technical Mesh’ dashboard, a GR Sport shift lever and all-weather floor mats. Sound has been upgraded with the installation of a nine-speaker JB premium audio system.

At heart, the HiLux GR Sport is still a Hilux with a diesel engine. The 165kW/550Nm 1GD 2.8-litre turbo-diesel has more power, but the same six-speed automatic, albeit tuned to support the extra engine power and torque. It seems odd that Toyota persists with the 6-speed unit when the arguably better-looking Ford Ranger has a 10-speed automatic.

At least on the surface of it, Ford Ranger Raptor is better equipped, and despite costing $13,000 more, seems better value. It has a 292kw/583Nm 3.0L Ecoboost which seems odd in a pick-up truck. Without a diesel option in the top model Ranger Raptor, it falls to the Ranger Wildtrack X to compare directly to the GR Hilux. Then, the figures make a little more sense, with the 2.0L turbo diesel offering 150kw/500Nm and full-time 4WD.

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