TOYOTA'S Hilux is the un disputed king of the pick up truck segment and commands a reputation that rivals can only envy.
The Japanese carmaker doesn't need to try too hard to ensure its appeal, so long as it delivers "the goods" at the right price.
When it was announced that the best-selling pick-up truck in Malaysia for more than 20 years running was getting a Gazoo Racing (GR) badge makeover, the two questions that quickly came to mind were "what sort of sports tuning can the Hilux benefit from?" and "would such an update be considered an overkill?".
Among the five Toyota models that received the GR makeover during the simultaneous launch earlier this year, the Hilux was certainly the surprise entrant. Yet, it turns out that you can never have too much of a GR spice-up and there's no such thing as an overkill with the Hilux.
If going rogue, as in Hilux Rogue, doesn't do it for you. then the GR Sport variant may just scratch your itch for a sporty agile road behemoth of the Toyota variety.
FUN MODE
Much like the Rogue, the Hilux GR Sport is powered by a returning 1GD-FTV four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that is paired with a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with sequential shift.
The drivetrain produces 204PS at 3,400rpm and 500Nm of maximum torque at 2,800rpm. It is completed with a 4x4 system that can be activated and deactivated on the fly using a rotary switch.
The GR Sport is currently the sportiest Hilux variant in the market and boasts a new front grille and overfenders finished in the body colour, a new shark fin antenna and blacked foglight surrounds, door mirrors and sport bar.
It sits atop exclusively designed 18-inch alloy wheels that are fitted with 265/60R18 highway terrain tyres. Be hind the wheels are calipers for the front disc brakes that are painted red and come with the GR logo emblem.
Red stitching, as with other GR variants, can be seen in many areas around the cabin with GR logos on the head rests, leather-wrapped steering wheel, push-start button and Smart key fob.
The optitron meters on the instrument panel have a GR theme with red accents and a GR welcome animation. It also has aluminium sports pedals in stalled.
More than just for looks, the pick up truck also comes with an enhanced driving performance with its sports suspension system that uses dedicated monotube shock absorbers and re tuned coil springs.
The higher damping force and optimal front-rear suspension balance is said to give improved handling, in creased stability during cornering, and more precise steering response.
The paddle shifters mark a first for a Hilux. The front seats, covered in a combination leather seat material, suede and red upper bolsters, also have a sportier structure and feel to them.
The automatic limited slip differential, active traction control and rear differential lock are present to assist in improving traction and stability in off road conditions.
The Hilux GR Sport also comes with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of active safety systems.
The reverse sensors as well as a re verse camera are available to assist in parking. The optional Panoramic View Monitor provides a 360-degree view using four cameras mounted around the vehicle.
The three body colours are Super White II, Attitude Black Mica and Crimson Spark Red Metallic, with black and red body side and tailgate graphics inspired by the liveries of Toyota Gazoo Racing's competition vehicles.
The Hilux GR Sport sits at the top of the present Hilux range and has a starting price of RM159,880, on the road without insurance.
PINCH IN PERFORMANCE
Clearing the air of any expectations with regards to a significant change or boost in performance, the GR Sport badge up date does not automatically transform the Hilux into a pro-Dakar rally beast not without significant third party modifications.
That's far from saying that the pick up truck can't handle the offroads. It's just that the update doesn't switch it up into a different machine.
"This is simply a sportier looking Hilux" was this writer's first impression of the new variant.
But as Toyota pointed out, the GR Sport badge is more than just a cosmetic gimmick. However, it does re quire the driver to spend more time with the truck to get a feel of this "improvement".
This comes in the form of its new sports-tuned suspension. Compared to the Rogue, the sporty setup of the GR Sport is just enough to make it less stiff, which means it is more comfortable but also not to the point that adds to the body roll sway.
Having driven the other variants, it feels like the GR Sport has greater handling control and stability around corners as well as general road manoeuvring.
That said, it is still a Hilux pick-up truck so don't go getting crazy ideas on what it can potentially achieve.
Almost every other feature you find that isn't aesthetic can also be found in the Rogue. That includes the power train performance, so don't go thinking this variant is suddenly the faster one of the lot.
VERDICT
When you strip it down to its core, the GR Sport looks like the tough question that you'll be asking yourself is whether the sporty makeover is worth the price tag.
If everything else is very much like the Rogue, then why spend an addition al RM7,000? You save even more if all you want is just a regular Hilux.
The answer lies with three different points of preference.
Firstly, by comparing the top two Hilux variants, the added value in the GR Sport is worth the extra sum. The GR suspension tune-up is where the money is at.
It is a minor bump-up when it comes to the pick-up truck's body swap and steering control but it is now more comfortable to drive.
A RM7,000 top-up is a fair ask when you consider what you're getting as an overall package. And as nice the Rogue is, there are just areas where the GR Sport does it better.
As mentioned, all variants function and offer the same usability.
But having the best in comfort and with some degree of "fun" put the GR Sport variant in the spotlight.
It is a classic case of budget versus luxury. If you can afford and want the most out of your purchase, then go for the premium variant.
