I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Here in South Africa, we are bakkie nuts, and as far as bakkies go, the Hilux reigns above the rest in popularity. Yet there's one Hilux that sits atop the rest with its muscular shape and suspension built for high-speed gravel travel. Meet the GR-Sport: the Hilux, which is not only about brute utility but also adds brawn to the equation, and the model that helped me understand why the Hilux is so popular.
Despite all the hype surrounding this Toyota product, I was never really a fan of the Hilux. I've always wanted more, and although the GR-Sport is slightly dated, the character and enjoyment behind the wheel made me rethink all things Hilux.
Step inside, and there are lots to like, though the Hilux's age does begin to show. Because it is the GR model in the Hilux range, the interior is covered in GR sports badging and sporty touches. The suede seats are a touch I enjoyed, and the red accents further inject a dose of excitement into an otherwise stoic cabin. Take a closer look, and there is an overgenerous amount of plastic finishes within the cabin. Paired with the ageing analogue driver's display and grainy reverse camera quality, its age becomes too apparent. On a positive note, there is a sufficient amount of legroom in the rear to accommodate adult passengers, and the JBL sound system is a nice addition that helps to elevate the in-cabin experience.
Under the bonnet, the GR-Sport retains the trusty 2.8-litre GD-6 engine, but it's been given a gentle massage—the power has been bumped up slightly from 150kW and 500Nm to a more robust 165kW and 550Nm. The power is transferred to the wheels using a 6-speed automatic transmission, which has been upgraded to offer faster gear changes. This helps add to the sporty feel of this bakkie. It's no Raptor-slayer, as the 0-100 time has seen only a marginal improvement over the standard 2.8 GD-6, but then again, that's not really the point. Like the Raptor, the GR-Sport does come with beefed-up suspension and handles the bumps at speed exceptionally well. In 2-High, with power sent to the rear, it's more than happy to break traction into a slide.
Although this bakkie is designed with sporting appeal in mind, it is impressively capable on the tougher 4x4 obstacles too, offering plenty of torque and ground clearance paired with a good amount of grip with its rugged all-terrain tyres, which come as standard on the GR-S. After putting it through its paces, it cleared obstacles that would leave lesser 4×4s behind. While it is unloaded, the ride quality on the road is bumpy, but not to the point where I'd accuse it of being uncomfortable.
Unfortunately,bakkies are becoming increasingly expensive these days, and this Hilux is no exception. The Hilux, which starts at R999,000, competes with the much more modern Ford Ranger, and as impressive as the GR-Sport's drive quality is, it falls short of the Ranger's more premium interior. But then again, considering the Raptor commands R1,226,700, the GR-Sport starts to make more financial sense as it offers that same sporty bakkie approach for R220,000 less, albeit without the performance under the bonnet and more premium interior.
Did I like Hilux before I drove the GR-Sport? No. Do I like it now? Well, it's certainly growing on me. The GR-Sport injects a sporty feeling into the Hilux formula with its wider body, front skid plate, tougher suspension, and all-terrain tyres, which serve up plenty of confidence behind the wheel. The cabin retains a vintage vibe in its finishes and screen quality, but with the new generation Hilux set to arrive next year, this is still an excellent choice for those who simply cannot wait. It gets attention on the streets, and it has the potential to make you smile all day on the road less travelled. Maybe I am a Hilux convert after all.
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