Toyota Hilux GR Sport – Go-Anywhere Utility Meets Race-Inspired Thrills!

The Toyota Hilux GR Sport merges unrivalled utility and all-terrain ability with an added twist of sporty performance and style.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, we’re certain you need not be re-acquainted with the Toyota Hilux. No doubt, the genre-defining pick-up truck has cemented its image as the go-anywhere, do -anything truck that anyone can trust.

However, across the nameplate’s past generations, sporty performance and style aren’t exactly traits that the Hilux is best known for. That arguably changed with the debut of the Toyota Hilux GR Sport pictured, which arrived locally back in 2023.

Besides sporty looks, the Hilux GR Sport also gains exclusive powertrain and chassis tuning that delivers a thrilling and more dynamic drive.

In GR Sport guise, this pick-up truck's renowned robust utility gets bolstered with a much-needed infusion of sporty style and, critically, the thrilling drive to match. The latter comes from this variant’s exclusive powertrain and chassis tuning brimmed.

Suffice to say it, this Hilux variant was built for those who seek not only unrivalled utility and all-terrain ability, but one with an added twist of sporty performance and style. In this feature, we’ll lay out key reasons why it’s perhaps worth a second look today.

Mechanically, it's the familiar 2.8-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel lump and 6-speed automatic plus part-time 4x4 driveline, but the mill has higher outputs of 224 PS and 550 NM.

Firstly, there’s the tried and tested 2.8-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel mill which, in GR Sport variant, benefits with special tuning that brings an extra 20 PS and 50 NM. Altogether, this mill now offers peppier outputs of 224 PS and 550 NM.

Paired with the mill is a familiar 6-speed automatic transmission and part-time 4x4 driveline – the same brimmed in other Hilux variants. Not missed out here too is an Active Traction Control (A-TRC), which maximises traction across any surface.

Underneath, the Hilux GR Sport sees its chassis beefed up with firmer monotube dampers. It also boasts red-painted brake calipers that bear GR Sport branding.

Another stand-out enhancement lies in the suspension. Here, the Hilux GR Sport sees its chassis gain high-performance and firmer monotube dampers, all tuned to deliver enhanced ride quality, stability and an arguably more refined drive.

This is a stark contrast versus the regular Hilux – and segment peers – which has chassis and suspension optimised for load-bearing abilities. Despite so, the Hilux GR Sport remains equally utilitarian thanks to its big, wide flatbed and 1-tonne payload capacity.

Otherwise, the enhanced chassis and suspension brings reduced body roll plus lower vibrations, the latter being the biggest benefit for passengers. Of course, enhanced powertrain and chassis is just part of the Hilux GR Sport model's package.

Despite the sporty stance, the Hilux GR Sport still offers high utility thanks to its big, wide flatbed and 1-tonne payload capacity.

Aesthetically, the Hilux GR Sport boast special and sportier stance to match the beefed-up performance detailed. The most obvious touch here is the more prominent front bumper and grille combination plus a bolder ‘TOYOTA’ script badge.

Matching that are a distinct set of black-finished 18-inch wheels, red-painted brake calipers sporting the GR Sport emblem, blacked-out flatbed sportbar, as well as subtle body-painted wheel arches and racy decals on the doors and tailgate.

Whilst here, it’s also worth highlighting the three striking exterior hues available exclusively to the Hilux GR Sport – Attitude Black Mica, Super White II and Crimson Spark Red Metallic.

The racy GR Sport treatment continues inside where the cabin gains a slew of special additions like the leather sports steering wheel with paddle-shifters, GR-branded engine stop-start button, GR-specific Optitron instrument panel, and aluminium sports pedals.

Our favourite touch here though stems from the GR-branded front seats lifted from the Fortuner, which are upholstered in a plush leather-suede combination. Apart from sublime comfort, these also provide ample support.

On board, this Hilux rocks GR-branded leather-suede seats, leather steering wheel, GR-specific instrumentation, GR-branded engine start button, as well as aluminium paddle-shifters and sports pedals.

Up to this point, it’s apt to see that this Hilux has both the sporty performance and style to justify its GR Sport badge. Critically, besides its core utilitarian purpose as a pick-up truck, this Hilux also hasn’t traded away anything to compromise safety.

Apart from basics encompassing 7 airbags lining the cabin, plus anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic stability control (ESC), the Hilux GR Sport also boasts a slew of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features on top which.

Key to the latter are Pre-Collision System (PCS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), along with Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Yaw Assist, as well as an all-seeing 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) suite.

Apart from 7 airbags plus ABS and ESC, safety is bolstered with ADAS features like PCS, DRCC, LDA with Yaw Assist, as well as an all-seeing 360-degree camera.

All in all, it’s easy to see then that the Hilux GR Sport was built with bold, edgy character fuelled by its motorsports-borne enhancements. With that in mind, perhaps it’s easy to see how its RM173,280 price tag is somehow justified.

Included in said figure is UMW Toyota Motor’s reassuring 5-year or 150,000 KM vehicle warranty. 

Of course, you don’t have to take our word on things. Take a closer look and perhaps test-drive one for yourself at any authorised Toyota showroom today.