2025 Toyota HiLux GR Sport assessment

The Toyota HiLux is a car that doesn’t want an introduction.

This Thai-built ute was Australia’s top-selling car bar none for seven consecutive years, however for the final two years it has been pipped on the put up by the domestically developed but additionally Thai-made Ford Ranger.

The present-generation HiLux dates again to 2015, although it has acquired a couple of minor updates over time. Its IMV ladder-frame platform dates again all the way in which to 2004, nevertheless.

One of the fascinating additions to the present HiLux vary in recent times was the flagship GR Sport, which was first launched in 2023.

Developed by Toyota Australia designers and engineers, this new range-topping ute was impressed by the Japanese carmaker’s Dakar Rally-winning HiLux race truck, however stops wanting being a totally fledged HiLux GR mannequin to compete instantly with the Ranger Raptor.

WATCH: Paul’s video assessment of the 2024 Toyota HiLux GR Sport

Highlighting the upgrades over common HiLux 4×4 dual-cab variants is further energy and torque from the venerable 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, a tweaked transmission to deal with the additional oomph, a novel suspension setup, and distinctive GR Sport exterior and inside design cues.

It’s been a couple of years since this top-shelf HiLux ute has been on sale now, and apart from some very minor spec adjustments, it has stayed the identical throughout that point.

Is that this nonetheless the very best model of the present HiLux vary? Learn alongside to search out out.

How does the Toyota HiLux evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the Toyota HiLux towards equally sized automobiles.

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HiLux

How a lot does the Toyota HiLux value?

The HiLux GR Sport stays the flagship trim degree of the favored ute vary, however regardless of its greater outputs it misses out on the 48V mild-hybrid V-Energetic Expertise launched in different HiLux variants final 12 months, together with the cheaper Rogue.

HiLux 4×4 dual-cab pickup pricing:

If you wish to see how the Toyota HiLux strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

What’s the Toyota HiLux like on the within?

The HiLux GR Sport seems correctly robust. Design is subjective, however it’s arguably the very best the current-generation HiLux – or for that matter any HiLux – has ever seemed on the surface, and that’s because of Toyota’s Australian design crew.

The theme continues inside. Like many utes, it’s a good hike into the cabin, although fortunately there are chunky seize handles on the A-pillar and rock sliders on the facet of the ute to make hopping in a contact extra swish.

When you’re in, you sit up excessive and have a commanding view of the street forward. It rides 15mm greater than different core HiLux 4×4 dual-cab variants as a result of suspension improve and that is noticeable from the seat of the pants.

As normal there are special-looking, closely bolstered sport bucket seats upholstered in black leather-based and suede. There’s even a GR insignia on the top restraint and pink seat belts, each of that are fancy touches – particularly in a ute.

Each the entrance seats are snug and supply sufficient assist, plus the driving force’s seat has eight methods of electrical adjustment, together with thigh assist. That is nice for these with longer legs, like myself.

A wierd omission is there’s no lumbar adjustment. Although this was largely a non-issue, my again did begin to ache throughout longer drives on bumpier roads.

The entrance seats supply heating as normal, although this wasn’t a lot use within the scorching Melbourne warmth. And the button placement for it seems loads like an afterthought as a result of it simply fills in a clean button on the centre console stack.

Forward of the driving force is a typical HiLux steering wheel, however its leather-based wrapping makes it appear and feel a contact extra particular. There’s a 12 o’clock marker on the high of the wheel, including to the sporty theme this ute exudes.

All of the buttons on the steering wheel are logically positioned, although interacting with them isn’t essentially the most rewarding as they really feel a bit squidgy and doughy.

Not like different HiLux variants, the GR Sport picks up paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, which could be useful if you wish to take direct management over the transmission in eventualities like towing.

Like each HiLux variant, the instrument cluster setup is primary and straightforward to know, although it’s dated in comparison with its rivals. There are two bodily dials for the revs and velocity, and a 4.2-inch digital info show between them.

With the latter, you realize you’re driving the HiLux GR Sport as a result of there’s a GR emblem that flashes up on startup.

On the display there are a couple of informative pages you’re capable of cycle by, although there’s just one that shows a correct digital speedometer readout. Numerous pop-ups for the adaptive cruise management and diesel specific filter (DPF) burnoffs additionally block the show until you clear them manually.

Transferring throughout, there’s an archaic 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that appears very old-school Toyota. Its decision isn’t segment-leading by any means, however fortunately it reacts to the touch inputs slightly properly.

The touchscreen infotainment system is nowhere close to as polished and refined as newer Toyota multimedia methods, although it has a primary interface and is difficult to get misplaced in. It’s additionally good to have bodily shortcut buttons in an age the place these are disappearing from many new vehicles.

The HiLux nonetheless solely has wired types of each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, by way of a USB-A port. However the reference to my iPhone 15 Professional Max was rock-solid, with no dropouts in any respect.

There’s additionally built-in satellite tv for pc navigation, which is useful to have if you must navigate and don’t have telephone service. It’s an easy-enough system to make use of however I a lot want utilizing Google Maps by way of smartphone mirroring for simplicity sake.

Below the infotainment system I admire that Toyota has caught with a correct local weather management cluster that has bodily dials and buttons. It’s rather more intuitive than prodding at a touchscreen, particularly for those who’ve received gloves on.

Though our tester wasn’t fitted with it, the HiLux GR Sport now comes with a wi-fi telephone charger. It’s positioned on the entrance of the centre console and does look slightly tacked on, however fortunately in my earlier expertise it charged my plus-sized telephone with no worries.

Wanting across the cabin, it’s disappointing Toyota has caught with the liberal use of the laborious and scratchy plastics, particularly on this top-spec mannequin. There are few soft-touch surfaces other than the armrests, which screams cost-cutting.

Storage is okay, however not standout for the section. A budget-feeling guide handbrake eats into the centre armrest storage bin, there are adequately sized higher and decrease glove bins, two cupholders on the centre console, and door pockets massive sufficient for bottles and different knick-knacks.

I’m grateful Toyota nonetheless affords the 2 dashboard-mounted cupholders as they’ll hold drinks each cool or heat, relying on what the local weather management is ready at.

Hopping into the second row of the HiLux GR Sport can also be a climb, however as soon as once more massive seize handles and the rock sliders make this journey simpler.

When you’re within the second row it feels slightly confined, even by dual-cab ute requirements. At a leggy 182cm, leg and toe room have been tight behind my very own driving place, although head and shoulder room have been okay. There are roomier dual-cab utes on the market.

Whereas sat on an outboard second-row seat you do must be aware you don’t hit your head on the seize deal with that juts out from the headliner. I do know this from expertise…

Two-up within the again is doable, particularly for shorter adults or children not in baby seats, although pushing it to 3 makes issues squishy.

Apprentices within the second row are handled to air vents behind the centre console, two USB-C ports, in addition to a fold-down armrest with cupholders.

On the again, all HiLux pickup fashions now have a tailgate damper that makes opening and shutting the tailgate immensely simpler. I can’t consider it has taken Toyota so lengthy to incorporate this as normal because it’s a quite common aftermarket add-on.

As normal there’s a bath liner, which is nice for those who often carry issues within the tub, as you don’t have to fret about scratching the paint. There’s additionally a cute GR emblem on the right-hand facet, letting everybody know you’ve received the GR Sport.

Apart from these issues, tray facilities are slim apart from some tie-down factors.

The very last thing I’ll point out is the HiLux GR Sport’s tailgate remains to be not included within the central locking. As a substitute you’re required to lock it manually with a key. That is surprisingly fairly widespread for the section.

If you wish to see how the Toyota HiLux strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

What’s below the bonnet?

Nonetheless a four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine… sigh.

In comparison with the opposite HiLux turbo-diesel variants, nevertheless, the GR Sport’s energy and torque figures have been boosted by 15kW and 50Nm, because of ECU tuning, bringing outputs to 165kW and 550Nm. The six-speed automated transmission can also be recalibrated to make the most of the upper outputs.

If you wish to see how the Toyota HiLux strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

How does the Toyota HiLux drive?

When beginning up the Hilux GR Sport you’re greeted with a really acquainted four-cylinder turbo-diesel sound. Its idle is gruff, and it’s arguably one of the agricultural-sounding diesels on sale.

Setting off, the additional 15kW and 50Nm over the common HiLux turbo-diesel variants is immediately noticeable. It feels extra prepared to speed up, pulling more durable with fewer revs.

In actual fact, this ute is slightly fast, however the engine nonetheless sounds clattery contained in the cabin as you get greater within the rev vary. You’ll simply sustain with the site visitors on the lights or pull forward for those who flex your proper foot only a bit more durable.

Past the conventional drive mode, there are ‘Energy’ and ‘Eco’ drive modes. They alter throttle calibration and the way rapidly the ute accelerates, however for almost all of my testing I caught with the common mode, as I discovered it was nonetheless a lot fast sufficient.

Along with the additional energy, Toyota additionally tweaked the six-speed automated so it may deal with the additional outputs. In follow, it extra readily adjustments up and down gears, particularly if you prod the throttle. This simply makes the GR Sport really feel a lot extra energetic.

In comparison with the six-speed automated in common HiLux variants, nevertheless, the gear adjustments can typically be slightly clunkier or jerkier, however that by no means slows down progress.

Like common HiLuxes, the engine by no means revs all the way in which out to redline. As a substitute, it opts to shift as much as the following gear at round 3500rpm, which is sensible as a result of the height energy and torque figures are decrease down within the rev vary.

When you stand up to hurry, the transmission will select the very best gear doable to maintain the engine revs down, which makes issues considerably quieter within the cabin. You’ll be able to nonetheless let you know’re driving a four-cylinder diesel, nevertheless.

The HiLux nonetheless comes with a part-time four-wheel drive system, so which means on sealed surfaces the ute can solely be pushed in two-wheel drive (rear-drive). That is nonetheless fairly widespread within the ute section, although extra rivals are getting a full-time four-wheel drive system that permits for the added safety of 4WD on sealed surfaces.

Whereas the GR Sport isn’t the one HiLux to realize widened wheel tracks (so does the Rogue), it has a particular suspension package deal that features KYB monotube shock absorbers.

The mix of the broader monitor and distinctive dampers make this a surprisingly snug ute to drive within the city on a regular basis commute. It feels extra planted, although you may nonetheless let you know’re driving a body-on-frame car with a leaf-sprung stay rear axle because it will get the shimmies over bumps whereas turning.

Due to this the HiLux GR Sport isn’t essentially the most dynamic car to drive round city. That is made worse by the actual fact it nonetheless has a hydraulic power-assisted steering system which is extremely agency throughout low-speed manoeuvres.

Many more recent utes now have electrical power-steering methods, which makes parking massive utes like this loads simpler. That mentioned, there’s no masking the general heft of a 5.3 metre-long dual-cab.

Talking of parking, there are entrance and rear parking sensors as normal, plus a surround-view digicam which has horrendous high quality. I anticipate significantly better digicam high quality in a car that prices round $80k.

Getting out on the open street, the turbo-diesel does should rev a bit, making it sound raucous within the cabin. As soon as its cruising alongside at freeway speeds, nevertheless, the engine finds a pleasant groove.

At 100km/h the revs sit round 1500rpm, and for those who punch the throttle for an overtake it’ll fortunately drop a gear to realize velocity.

I like the actual fact the HiLux GR Sport has steering wheel paddle shifters as a result of they permit you to take direct management over the gears. No different HiLux variant has these. They’re notably useful when towing a trailer.

Having mentioned that, this ute already has sensible engine braking. It is aware of if you’re travelling down a steep hill and can drop a gear or two to gradual the ute. Positive, the revs sit at an ungainly 3000rpm or so, however it’s an excellent peace of thoughts characteristic.

On the freeway this ute makes a number of noise. The principle perpetrator appears to be the all-terrain tyres, however there’s additionally a good bit of wind noise from across the facet mirrors. It’s shocking that Toyota hasn’t managed to repair these points given the present HiLux has been round in principally the identical kind for 10 years now.

The high-speed trip is healthier than that of standard HiLux dual-cabs, thanks once more to the broader monitor width and distinctive suspension setup. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless not good, with bumps often unsettling the automotive, making it really feel lumpy within the cabin. Some weight within the tub will probably soften this sense.

Whereas we didn’t get an opportunity to take it off-road this time, the GR Sport builds on the already-strong hill climbing and dust plugging functionality of normal HiLux 4x4s. Certainly, we’ve beforehand described it as “ridiculously succesful” off-road, and in our launch assessment we mentioned you may really feel what every of the wheels are doing, making it very confidence-inspiring on free terrain.

It’s no Ranger Raptor on the subject of high-speed dune bashing, however very aggressive with the likes of the Ranger Tremor, D-Max Blade and Nissan Navara Warrior.

On the security entrance, there’s adaptive cruise management that solely works at excessive speeds. It disengages at decrease speeds, requiring you’re taking management if you come to an entire cease. It’s shocking Toyota hasn’t launched an adpative cruise management system that works in any respect speeds, given just about all of the competitors has this now.

One other security characteristic that feels primitive when in comparison with what’s provided in its rivals is the brake-based lane-keep help system. That is probably a outcome of the present HiLux courting again to 2015. In follow, it makes driving jarring as a result of the car feels unsettled when the brakes pulse.

And given there’s solely brake-based lane-keep help, it’s no shock the HiLux doesn’t include any type of lane centring.

The HiLux GR Sport does include shiny automated LED headlights as normal, nevertheless. These are nice for those who often journey on rural roads the place wildlife can bounce out in entrance of you.

Lastly, whereas there are automated LED headlights, it’s unusual the whole HiLux nonetheless goes with out rain-sensing windscreen wipers. That is such a commonplace characteristic now, even earlier than you contemplate this flagship car prices $80k.

If you wish to see how the Toyota HiLux strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

What do you get?

The GR Sport stays the flagship of the present HiLux lineup in its twilight years, but it misses out on some normal tools when in comparison with the cheaper Rogue.

2025 Toyota HiLux Workmate tools highlights:

• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Two-speaker sound system
• Adaptive cruise management
• Computerized headlights
• Air-conditioning
• Energy home windows
• Material upholstery
• Vinyl flooring
• Halogen headlights and daytime operating lights
• Reversing digicam (Double Cab ute solely)
• Entrance and rear parking sensors (Double Cab ute solely)
• 16-inch wheels (17-inch in Double Cab, 4×4 variants)

SR provides:

• Multi-Terrain Choose with six selectable modes
• Hill descent management
• Facet steps
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Physique-coloured door handles
• 4- or six-speaker sound system (Further Cab and Double Cab, respectively)
• Twin-zone local weather management (V-Energetic solely)
• Auto up/down home windows (V-Energetic solely)
• Keyless entry and begin (V-Energetic solely)
• Carpet ground mats (V-Energetic solely)
• Entrance air-conditioned cooler field

SR5 provides:

• Darkish-finish LED headlights
• Gloss black exterior mirrors and door handles
• Powder-coated black sports activities bar
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Privateness glass
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Rear air vents
• ‘Premium’ shifter and steering wheel
• Wi-fi telephone charger
• 2 x rear USB-C shops
• Carpeted flooring

Rogue provides:

• 9-speaker JBL sound system
• Motorised curler cowl
• Central locking tailgate
• Wider wheel racks
• 15mm taller trip top
• Ventilated rear disc brakes
• Wider wheel-arch flares
• Heated entrance seats

GR Sport provides:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tyres
• KYB monotube shock absorbers
• GR Sport grille with ‘Toyota’ lettering
• GR Sport entrance bumper and wheel arch flares
• GR Sport bedliner
• Rear restoration factors
• Skid plate
• Rock rails
• Purple seatbelts
• GR Sport leather-accented door trim
• GR Sport gear knob
• GR Sport steering wheel
• Paddle shifters
• Aluminium pedals
• Leather-based and suede-upholstered sport bucket seats

Tools like the electrical curler cowl, Multi-Terrain Choose modes, central locking tailgate, and different Rogue-centric options aren’t provided within the GR Sport. There’s additionally no rear anti-roll bar, offering extra suspension journey on the expense of rear-end stability.

If you wish to see how the Toyota HiLux strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

Is the Toyota HiLux protected?

The core Toyota HiLux vary has a five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on testing performed in 2019, although this doesn’t lengthen to the GR Sport, which means it’s unrated.

Normal security options embrace:

• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian (day/evening) detection
  • Bike owner (day) detection
• Excessive-speed adaptive cruise management
• Lane departure warning
• Brake-based lane help
• Visitors signal recognition

HiLux Workmate 4×2 dual-cab pickup provides:

• Reversing digicam
• Entrance and rear parking sensors

HiLux SR5 provides:

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Encompass-view digicam

All HiLux variants additionally include three years of complimentary entry to Toyota Related Companies. Capabilities embrace SOS emergency name, automated collision notification, stolen car monitoring, and different features by way of the myToyota Join telephone app.

If you wish to see how the Toyota HiLux strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

How a lot does the Toyota HiLux value to run?

The Toyota HiLux is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee like the broader Toyota Australia lineup.

In the event you get scheduled servicing executed at an official Toyota vendor, the driveline guarantee could be prolonged to seven years so long as the car isn’t used for industrial functions.

However service intervals are comparatively brief, servicing prices comparatively excessive, and you must pay further for roadside help.

If you wish to see how the Toyota HiLux strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota HiLux

The Toyota HiLux continues to be an icon amongst tradies, farmers and adventurers alike, and with a totally redesigned new-generation mannequin based mostly on the newer TNGA-F ladder platform now showing unlikely, the GR Sport may very well be a becoming flagship for a while.

Toyota has managed to squeeze extra oomph out of the tried-and-tested 2.8-litre turbo-diesel, and this ute feels rather more spritely and wanting to speed up consequently.

A giant kudos to Toyota Australia’s designers and engineers for his or her enter right here, since native automotive manufacturing ended virtually a decade in the past now, even when Ford continues to develop the Ranger right here and Kia continues to undertake native chassis tuning together with for its upcoming Tasman ute.

My favorite domestically engineered half about this automotive specifically is its styling. It makes the commonplace HiLux dual-cab look rather more particular and distinctive.

However there’s solely a lot a wider monitor, greater engine outputs, recent styling and different minor tweaks can do for a car that, at its coronary heart, dates again over a decade.

This implies a number of age-old gripes carry over, together with the tough unladen trip, heavy hydraulic energy steering, outdated inside expertise, and the dearth of extra refined driver assists and a full-time four-wheel drive system, amongst others.

Then there’s the value. This dual-cab ute prices round $80,000 drive-away, which isn’t any small quantity for a four-cylinder turbo-diesel dual-cab. There are many different merely priced or cheaper opponents on the market which have extra energy, extra consolation, extra expertise, extra refinement, and a broader unfold of total functionality.

With this in thoughts I’d suggest testing among the many different hero off-road ute flagships obtainable earlier than you signal on the dotted line, to make sure this specific HiLux is for you.

Enthusiastic about shopping for a Toyota HiLux? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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