2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport review

There’s no arguing that the current-gen Toyota HiLux is a bit long in the tooth. It has received several substantial upgrades and facelifts throughout its lifespan, but the bones of the eighth-gen HiLux and its 1GR 2.8-litre engine have essentially been wandering mountains and deserts since 2015.

However, it’s entirely unfair to say the GR Sport is a “sticker pack” aimed at keeping the Japanese brand relevant until the new-gen arrives.

That this vehicle is bred from racing stock – inspired by the 2019 Dakar-winning GR HiLux piloted by Nasser Al-Attiyah and co-driver Mathieu Baumel – proves that Toyota was serious about planting a new flagship variant atop its line-up.

15

For starters, Toyota engineers have eked an extra 15kW and 50Nm from the 2.8-litre engine by dialling into the ECU and tweaking the turbocharger characteristics and fuel injection control.

This has netted a gain of 10 per cent across the board, with the turbo-diesel now producing 165kW at 3000rpm and 550Nm from 1600-2800rpm – up from the standard outputs of 150kW and 500Nm.

To harvest this increase in power and torque, the six-speed automatic transmission has been recalibrated accordingly. To achieve this, Toyota changed the transmission’s oil pressure control to enhance shift operation speeds and then revised the mapping for a more accurate shift feel.

15

The GR Sport also has a wider track, as seen on the HiLux Rogue, making it wider (135mm at the front; 155mm at the rear) and taller (15mm higher than the rest of the HiLux range).

However, unlike the Rogue, the GR Sport benefits from revised front suspension, including increased rigidity for the front coil springs. In addition, the front and rear shock absorbers have been upgraded – tuned KYB monotube-type dampers with increased piston diameter – and are also specific to the GR Sport. Toyota then removed the rear sway bar for this specific variant.

15

JUMP AHEAD

• How does it drive?
• Interior
• Safety
• Pricing
• VERDICT
• Specifications

How does it drive?

On paper, the changes to the engine and consequent gains in output may seem mild, but you notice it, especially when off-road.

The HiLux has always been a competent off-roader, and a brief off-road test loop at the vehicle’s launch demonstrated that the GR Sport has the off-road chops to carry on this tradition.

Its extra power and torque, combined with an excellent electronic traction control system, make it a worthy consideration for remote area exploration. A rear diff lock as standard helps when battling more serious terrain.

15

The implementation of those tuned KYB monotube dampers does transfer to more stable on- and off-road performance, especially on rutted tracks – better than the Rogue, at least. It does have the same wider track as the Rogue, but its performance falls well short of something like a Ranger Raptor – don’t expect a Raptor-like performance from the GR Sport, despite it being stamped with those Gazoo Racing logos. Instead, its closest competitors would be the Ranger Wildtrak X and Navara Pro-4X Warrior.

However, when combining the increase in performance, retuned suspension and extra width, the GR Sport remains composed on both potholed back roads and bitumen – the best of any HiLux in the line-up.

The recalibrated transmission feels dialled in, with swift and punchy upshifts. More than once on bitumen, though, the transmission hesitated to downshift.

15

Also aiding off-road driving is the inclusion of a skid plate designed to protect vital underbody components when traversing outback dirt roads at pace.

The skid plate is made from 4mm-thick pressed and laser-cut aluminium alloy, powder coated in a matte silver colour. The GR Sport also gets bespoke rails and side steps, built and designed in Australia.

It features the same ground clearance and departure angle as the Rogue, at 265mm and 23 degrees respectively, but it has lost one degree of approach angle – 30 versus 31 degrees.

15

From the showroom, the GR Sport comes with 17-inch alloy wheels (opposed to the Rogue’s 18s) inside 265/65R17 Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tyres. Despite being capable tyres in their own right, they look undersized beneath massive satin black over-fenders. It may be aesthetic, but it’s obvious the GR Sport needs bigger tyres to fill those wheel arches.

Large ventilated disc brakes on all four corners – 338mm x 28mm four-piston fixed calipers at the front and 312mm x 18mm single-piston floating calipers at the rear – make it an efficient stopper when anchors are deployed. Plus, the calipers are painted red because … red is fast.

The GR Sport retains the range-wide 3500kg braked towing capacity, and a towbar and rear recovery points are fitted as standard.

15

Interior

On the inside, the GR Sport mimics the Rogue in many ways, and it’s here that reminders of the age of the current-gen HiLux become most obvious.

The 8.0-inch touchscreen on the centre console is small by modern standards, especially for a flagship model. It does feature Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility, with the rest of the user interface easy to operate and well mapped out, and the nine-speaker JBL sound system is booming.

A few notable differences between the Rogue and GR Sport, though. Importantly, the GR Sport gets suede- and leather-accented sports seats (heated, of course), which are embroidered with the GR logo and are appropriately bolstered and comfortable for longer stints behind the wheel.

15

There’s plenty of head, shoulder and leg space afforded in the front pews, with copious storage pockets and well-sized drinks holders appropriately positioned. The rear seats are also comfortable and supportive, with room for three abreast at a squeeze.

Also unique to the GR Sport are aluminium sports pedals, red seatbelts for all occupants (yep, fast) to accentuate the sporty theme, a unique trim on the dashboard and doors dubbed “technical mesh”, and all-weather floor mats for the driver and front passenger which prove handy for off-road pursuits.

15

Kerb weight is listed at 2270kg and payload is limited to 780kg, which is significantly less than its competitors: Ranger Wildtrak X (918kg) and Amarok PanAmericana (1031kg).

The tub features four tie-down points, while a five-piece moulded tub liner with GR-branded headboard and anti-slip floor is unique to the GR Sport. However, it misses out on the Rogue’s motorised roller cover and 12-volt tub outlet.

15

Safety

Although the GR Sport is officially unrated by ANCAP, all regular Toyota HiLux models built from July 2019 have been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, with scores of 96 per cent for adult occupant protection; 87 per cent for child occupant protection; 88 per cent for vulnerable road user protection; and 78 per cent for safety assist.

The GR Sport shares all of its safety features with the Rogue. This means it benefits from the full suite of Toyota’s Safety Sense tech, which consists of auto emergency braking (with day and night pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection); high-speed adaptive cruise control; lane departure warning with steering assist (brakes); and speed-sign recognition.

15

Pricing

The GR Sport is priced at $73,990 before on-road costs, putting it in the same ballpark as the VW Amarok PanAmericana and Ford Ranger Wildtrak X (both $75,990 excluding on-road costs). The Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior is slightly more affordable at $69,990 plus on-road costs.

15

VERDICT

Despite its age and the fact it competes head-on against next-gen rivals, the HiLux continues to sell well. Heck, it was the best-selling overall vehicle in Australia in August 2023 – not bad for an “old” vehicle. It’s a trusted fan favourite, with an immovable customer base.

Like the Rogue, the wider chassis of the GR Sport makes it surefooted and dynamic (for a ute) on bitumen and twisting roads. Unlike the Rogue, though, further tweaks to the suspension make it a better all-rounder and equally at home on dirt-riddled back roads.

Just don’t call it a sticker pack … or a Ranger Raptor competitor either. What you can call it, is the best HiLux in the Japanese marque’s line-up.