Tuesday 17th October 2023

Toyota launches new Hilux GR Sport II

GR-badged flagship can't rival the Ranger Raptor for cool - but it does diddle it on payload

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The sporty pickup is nothing new - look at Ford and its brace of Raptors. But we’re yet to see anything Raptor-rivalling from Toyota, which is a surprise given its Dakar success with the Hilux and the burgeoning strength of its Gazoo Racing brand. This new GR Sport II isn’t quite the pickup we’re all really lusting after from Toyota - but it is a step in the right direction. 

Described as taking the Hilux ‘to new heights’ the GR Sport II gets much wider tracks than standard - 140mm at the front, 155 at the rear. This is mostly about uprating the model's physical presence, although obviously it well aid stability and confidence, too. Toyota says the ‘best-driving Hilux yet’ is intended to roll less and respond more precisely to steering inputs. These improvements have been achieved thanks to lighter wheels and new monotube dampers (replacing the previous twin-tubers), with discs on the rear axle now as well where drums once resided. It’ll be better off-road, too, with ride height and approach angle increased over standard. 

The exterior has received an appropriately rugged makeover, with ‘TOYOTA’ emblazoned across the grille like it really means business, black accents, GR Sport badges and red brake calipers. The rear coil springs are red, too, but you’ll have to look really closely for those. The colour scheme continues inside, including red seatbelts, GR seats and aluminium pedals. 

Indeed, all the GR Sport II is really lacking is a proper powertrain. It’s still motored along by the 204hp/369lb ft diesel that joined the range in 2020. Which does sell the rally raid look a bit short, although it's worth pointing out that with a 1,000kg payload, the GR remains a proper pickup in the truest sense. Maybe the GR Sport III will be the magic number when it comes to a Ranger Raptor rival. For now, this one will be on sale early in 2024, with deliveries later in the year.

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• Ford’s best new car is a pick up | PH Footnote
• 2023 Toyota GR Corolla | PH Review

 

[coldclimate]

Another massive trunk, necessary for very few, generally bought by those with wanger size issues.

[Edited]
>You can do better, come on.

Valid point. I absolutely hate the trend in the UK (and world wide I guess) towards bigger and bigger cars, especially the US style trucks, and this was me lashing out and getting cheap thrills from being the first to post.

The upscaling of vehicles is an arms race, with every brand going bigger and bigger every year.

A few months ago I almost got crushed because the dude in the giant pickup (spotless, not a mark of mud on it, not a bit of 2x4 in sight) to might right changed lanes and I was below his eyeline (I suspect) in my Boxster. The current bonnet height of half these things is taller than a 6 year old - good luck to the kid who gets thumped by one even at 20 - you're not going over the top, you're getting smashed and then going under.

Big vehicles always feel like a status symbol to me, and that's ok, I drive around proud as punch with myself in a variety of 2 seaters, but when your status symbol is so big that it's a danger to others, not just yourself, is it really worth it? Does this even fit in a parking space when you head to Tescos?

Edited by coldclimate on Wednesday 18th October 10:43

[Baldchap]

coldclimate said:

Another massive trunk, necessary for very few, generally bought by those with wanger size issues.

Surely of all places, the PH collective haven't devolved to 'car X = small willy', have they?

If the owner of one of these also has a Smart ForTwo, does his willy shrink and grow depending on what he's driving?

You can do better, come on.

[Oiyou]

coldclimate said:

Another massive trunk, necessary for very few, generally bought by those with wanger size issues.

Its a Hilux that does Hilux things but with a new trim. No different to choosing an M-Sport 320d over an SE. I gather Hilux's have a very loyal fan base in certain parts of the world who might object to your statement - the wider track and revised dampers might actually help accuracy from the load bed at speed.

[TGCOTF-dewey]

Baldchap said:

Surely of all places, the PH collective haven't devolved to 'car X = small willy', have they?

If the owner of one of these also has a Smart ForTwo, does his willy shrink and grow depending on what he's driving?

You can do better, come on.

If it does, its useful to refer to this handy guidance. It OK to love your car, but not... love... your car.

[philrs03]

That looks far too nice to be the logistical and fire support group enabler for Middle Eastern regime change! I think I prefer that to the Ranger, really like it.

[charltjr]

Soon to be seen sporting a massive set of wheels with off road tyres, millimetres from your rear bumper on the motorway.

[DeejRC]

Might replace the current Hilux with that next yr. Just to annoy you lot

[FlopperV60]

DeejRC said:

Might replace the current Hilux with that next yr. Just to annoy you lot

🤣 I was about to say the same thing.

Funny how some people are so judgemental, I might have a small wanger but its small regardless of what I'm driving or riding.

These vehicles do work for a great number of people, I live rurally on a smallholding so always have straw bails and other crap in the back. As a bonus it's a company car, which run as a commercial vehicle has minimal BIK impact. It's virtually a free vehicle with a huge practical benefit which allows me to then enjoy other toys.

[Steve93]

Baldchap said:

Surely of all places, the PH collective haven't devolved to 'car X = small willy', have they?

If the owner of one of these also has a Smart ForTwo, does his willy shrink and grow depending on what he's driving?

You can do better, come on.

Unfortunately this attitude is everywhere, and it's hilarious

I have a V8 petrol Range Rover so would be the usual target for this sort of comment....however I also have a 3 cylinder Peugeot 107. I can imagine their 2 remaining brain cells getting into a fight to the death to work that one out

[Automaton]

The GR brand is barely established and they're already diluting it to this extent?

[DamnKraut]

coldclimate said:

Another massive trunk, necessary for very few, generally bought by those with wanger size issues.

If it was a Raptor that'd sound plausible.

But a Hilux... isn't the use case for those either a farm or the need to install a 20 mm cannon on the cargo floor? 1 ton payload means more space for ammo for said device = more bang for your buck. Definitely a winner in my book.

[Jag_NE]

It won’t be popular here, Toyota is a pensioner brand. The #lads will buy Rangers

[AmyRichardson]

DamnKraut said:

If it was a Raptor that'd sound plausible.

But a Hilux... isn't the use case for those either a farm or the need to install a 20 mm cannon on the cargo floor? 1 ton payload means more space for ammo for said device = more bang for your buck. Definitely a winner in my book.

If you're in the third world (Yorkshire or the Sudan) you probably wouldn't thank Toyota for the 155mm additional width! Or not, the twin DSHK probably makes it a bit top heavy.

[Pumpsmynads]

“Amg and M are diluting their brands.”
Gazoo Racing, “Hold my beer.”

[Water Fairy]

coldclimate said:

Another massive trunk, necessary for very few, generally bought by those with wanger size issues.

I found these in your fridge............................

WhatsApp Image 2023-10-17 at 21.48.12 by James Fawcett, on Flickr

[Rich Boy Spanner]

I like them, can't make a case for them. Massive on the outside, load bed too short, even mountain bikes have to hook over the tailgate. Inside too uncomfortable to properly replace a normal car (in the back) and comparatively bad ride. Guess they work on the BIK figures for a commercial vehicle as company car. Still want one though. Probably the only thing to survive the UK's roads.

[wistec1]

Toyota Sales person........ If you buy the GR Hilux sir it'll make your wanger instantly bigger. I'd also suggest you buy the GR Yaris for the wife sir cos she'll need it. Lol. Yep she'll have a Fanny like a clowns pocket in 2 days sir.

PHers . For the record I run a 3.2 ltr Ranger and mines like a button mushroom But Wanger man wouldn't like it on the end of his nose as a wart.

[Sway]

DeejRC said:

Might replace the current Hilux with that next yr. Just to annoy you lot

You have a teeny tiny weenie though, so you're allowed.

[FMOB]

A Taliban favourite, the load bed looks a little small to take the mounted machine gun and where to put all the ammo.

[Numeric]

Rich Boy Spanner said:

I like them, can't make a case for them. Massive on the outside, load bed too short, even mountain bikes have to hook over the tailgate. Inside too uncomfortable to properly replace a normal car (in the back) and comparatively bad ride. Guess they work on the BIK figures for a commercial vehicle as company car. Still want one though. Probably the only thing to survive the UK's roads.

Unless you actually need to move people regularly in the back seats (I realize many do), the extended cab gave you a more usable load area while still having the flexibility of occasional seats. But theses always seemed to be offered only in lower specs and engines so people were pushed to the crew cab which as you say has an annoyingly short bed even if they may have been happy with the extended cab, the suicide door on the last Ranger was a really good solution which seemed to be utterly undersold.