The Toyota Hilux GR Sport has made its UK public debut at the 2022 CV Show. It’s not often we see the word Sport added to a pickup truck without cracking up with laughter, so let’s see if we can keep a straight face here.
The good news is that this is more than just a current Toyota Hilux with a bit of stuck-on bodywork modification. Working with Toyota Gazoo Racing – the Japanese giant’s motorsport department, and the GR in Hilux GR Sport – results in a Hilux with upgraded suspension as well as an upgraded appearance.
These changes promise improved on-road handling, making it easier to enjoy the 204hp 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine more of the time.
What are the suspension changes for the Hilux GR Sport?
In an effort to sharpen-up the Hilux GR Sport’s responses, Toyota has fitted stiffer front springs and new ‘monotube’ shock absorbers – painting the new components red to make the change visibly obvious as well.
Combined with the revised rear suspension introduced at the same time as the 2.8-litre engine in late 2020, Toyota claims ‘these upgrades deliver significant improvements in handling characteristics, including steering effort and steering angle response, straight-line performance, a flat ride and reassuring roll and rear grip feel.’
Fair enough. What we’re not so convinced about at this distance is the additional claim that they also improve ride comfort – this is not something you’d usually associate with stiffer springs. However, the theory goes that the faster reactions and better high-performance capability of the monotube damper design increases perceived comfort while also reducing body roll.
The standard Hilux is still one of the more jittery options on the market even after the 2020 facelift, so we’re intrigued and keen to have a go as soon as possible.
What’s the bad news?
Well, here in the virtual Parkers office, we’re split about the cosmetic changes. The retro Toyota lettering that’s replaced the logo in the front grille we can all get behind, and the GR badging is commendably subtle. But the wheelarch-extending overfenders seems a bit of a miss when the wheels aren’t any wider.
We’re also not super keen on the interior, which combines a red dashboard stripe with blue door illumination and fake carbonfibre inlays. The seats look nicely upholstered, though, in a mix of leather and synthetic suede with red perforations and contrast stitching. There’s also a GR logo on the headrests, plus aluminium pedals to play with.
How’s the performance part?
The 204hp engine is a gutsy unit, also producing 500Nm of torque.
It’s paired in the GR Sport with an automatic gearbox as standard, as well as a limited slip differential and ‘Active Traction Control’ – the latter elements being more focused on off-road capability than sliding round corners, however.
The Hilux GR Sport comes as a Double Cab model only, and still offers 3,500kg towing capacity and over 1,000kg of payload – albeit not at the same time.
How much does the Hilux GR Sport cost?
The commercial vehicle on-the-road price without VAT is £39,232.50 – which works out at £47,010 once the VAT is added.
This means that it still represents something of a bargain compared with a Ford Ranger MS-RT – which is currently £49,775 before VAT, and a pure visual exercise with no suspension upgrades.
For the money, the Hilux comes with a lot of standard kit, too, including a JBL sound system, sat-nav, 360-degree camera system, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control and keyless go.
The Toyota Hilux GR Sport is due to reach UK dealers in summer 2022. You can order one now.
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