First drive: new wide-body Toyota Hilux GR-S launched in SA
Toyota’s latest rally-bred Hilux arrives with improved off-road ability and macho styling, writes
Toyota’s new widebody Hilux GR-Sport (GR-S) has arrived in SA with improved off-road ability, bolder styling and a price increase.
Following the first and second GR-S models launched in 2019 and 2022 as more sporting, rally-bred guises of SA’s best-selling bakkie, version three is even more trail focused with a wider stance, enhanced off-road suspension and a 20mm increase in ground clearance. It is the latest update to the eighth-generation Hilux which has been with us since 2016.
The GR-S rides on chunky BF Goodrich all terrain 17-inch tyres, and braking performance has been improved by means of enlarged front disc brakes and discs on the rear which replace the previous drums.
While the Hilux GR-S III does not compete directly against the much more powerful Ford Raptor, the Toyota does edge closer to the burly Ford in terms of looks with a beefy new styling package inspired by Toyota’s Dakar racer. This is courtesy of an increased body width and prominent black fenders, newly designed bumper and black grille, side decals and a front bash plate. The fat BF Goodrich 265/65 R17 tyres are wrapped around new GR-S black alloy wheels and red brake callipers, and the pepped-up styling is finished off with a shark fin antenna.
Inside, the bakkie’s sporting nature is revealed through suede and leather sports seats, a perforated sports leather steering wheel with paddle shifts and a red stripe at the 12 o’clock position, technical mesh trim on the door and dashboard, exclusive GR instrument panel details, sporty red accents and sport pedals. The vehicle is started with a GR-branded button and other standard niceties include an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control, infotainment controlled on an eight-inch touchscreen display, a 360° parking camera and a nine-speaker JBL sound system.
It’s under the skin that this Hilux has adopted the biggest changes to improve its all-terrain ability, including a widening of the tracks by 140mm at the front and 155mm at the rear compared to a standard Hilux to provide better handling stability.
The higher ground clearance improves obstacle-clearing ability with an increase in approach angle from 29° to 30°. The suspension has been upgraded with KYB monotube shock absorbers with stiffer coils and a larger piston diameter for higher damping force and improved body control.
Power in the 2.8l turbodiesel four-cylinder engine remains at 165kW and 550Nm, providing extra spring in the step compared to the standard Hilux’s 150kW and 550Nm. Power is transferred via a six-speed automatic transmission to a drivetrain that has selectable rear-wheel drive, 4x4, low range and a rear diff lock.
I drove the new Hilux GR-S III at its media launch in the Eastern Cape recently, on most types of surfaces owners are likely to encounter. This included steep sand dunes which are all about good traction and momentum which this Toyota has in good supply with its wide tyres and beefy power. The Hilux raced up the soft slopes with gusto. Throttle inputs are responsive, especially in Power mode which sharpens the engine and transmission responses compared to the Eco setting.
On the road, with no load in the bay, the vehicle judders in the typical way of one-tonne bakkies, but the drive included a long stint on rough gravel where the GR-S excelled with its ability to soak up large bumps without the suspension bottoming out. With its wide stance and fat rubber the big bakkie displayed confidence-inspiring handling on slippery dirt.
The GR treatment doesn’t diminish the Hilux’s workhorse ability and towing capacity remains 3,500kg with a 1,000kg payload. The vehicle comes with a tow hitch, rubberised load bed and tonneau cover.
The Hilux GR-S III is priced at R999,000, compared to its predecessor which retailed for R947,600. Included is a threeyear/100,000km warranty and nine-services/90,000km service plan.