HiLux GR Sport pricing announced

TOYOTA has announced pricing for its soon-to-arrive HiLux flagship, the GR Sport.

Priced from $73,990 plus on-road costs – a $3790 price premium over the current range-topping HiLux Rogue – the new four-wheel drive variant brings what Toyota says is a “raft of mechanical and visual upgrades” to its best-selling Aussie model.

It is likely the last “special edition” HiLux to be offered before the current N80-series is replaced sometime in the next 12-18 months and will arrive shortly before the 48v mild-hybrid HiLux is introduced in early 2024.

The GR Sport introduces the most powerful diesel engine to yet be offered under the bonnet of a HiLux, with the existing 2.8-litre four-cylinder unit retuned to deliver a claimed 165kW/550Nm – or 15kW/50Nm more than its derivative. A six-speed automatic transmission is the only option available.

The Toyota HiLux GR Sport will rival the likes of Ford’s Ranger Wildtrak X with 154kW/500Nm from a twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel ‘four’ (from $75,990 +ORC) and significantly more powerful and V6 turbo-diesel-powered Volkswagen Amarok with 184kW/600Nm (also from $75,990 +ORC).

Riding on the same wide-track platform as the HiLux Rogue, the GR Sport offers a similar 15mm increase in ride height, a frontal track increase of 135mm and rear track increase of 155mm.

Changes to the suspension arrangement include a “different” front coil and rear leaf tune to the Rogue, as well as KYB-sourced monotube dampers featuring a larger diameter piston. Further, the removal of the rear sway bar “promotes greater axle articulation and ground contact over uneven surfaces”, Toyota says.

As with the HiLux Rogue, the GR Sport features four-wheel disc brakes with four-piston calipers up front. The calipers are finished in red for “an extra visual effect”. The HiLux GR Sport further includes 265/65 Bridgestone Dueler A/T rubber on Dakar-style 17-inch alloys (a one-inch reduction from the Rogue).

A bespoke blackened grille with T-O-Y-O-T-A lettering, a redesigned front bumper cover that improved the model’s approach angle, new fog light bezels and a silver-coloured lower moulding that sits above a “uniquely developed” bash plate are also unique to the GR Sport variant.

Elsewhere, we find oversized fender extensions in black with aero ducts up front, while between the arches, the top-shelf HiLux features powder-coated heavy-duty rock rails to help protect the sills from impact – even when the vehicle is fully loaded.

At the rear, the toughened ‘Lux is characterised by red recovery points and a blackened rear bumper. Like the Rogue below it, the GR Sport also arrives as standard with a pre-installed towbar, towball and trailer wiring harness.

Open the driver’s door and the GR Sport reveals a sportier cabin than the Rogue, including a rally-inspired leather-wrapped steering wheel with transmission paddle shifts, red 12 o’clock marker and GR logo.

GR logos are also found on the front seats, which are uniquely upholstered in a mix of leather and suede, matched with grey stitch work and red seatbelts. Other inclusions are aluminium pedals, Technical Mesh dashboard ornamentation, and the nine-speaker JBL-sourced audio system also found in the HiLux Rouge.

Toyota is set to offer the HiLux GR Sport from September with a choice of five body colours: Glacier White, Frosted White, Stunning Silver, Eclipse Black and Feverish Red. Glacier White and Feverish Red hues are offered optionally with a black-painted roof.

“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,” said Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations, Sean Hanley.

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