Tougher, meaner, better, and blessed with the Gazoo Racing treatment, the new Toyota Hilux GR Sport.

Although based on its top-range 2.8 Rogue model, this pickup truck commands its own distinctive stylings, and an upgraded performance to match.

Available in a sole double-cab form, the new Hilux GR-S tags at MYR 159,880, on-the-road, without insurance, and comes with a five-year/150,000 KM warranty.

Three exterior colours can be chosen from, e.g., Super White II, Crimson Spark Red Metallic, and Attitude Black Mica.

Weighing in at 2,120 KG, the new Hilux GR-S stands at 5,320 MM long, 1,900 MM wide, 1,865 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 3,085 MM.

It exudes a blocky and athletic exterior, where the front-end features a new bumper and a new grille.

The new bumper is angularly-contoured, and proudly commanded by the new gloss black radiator grille, which bears the Toyota script.

Sportier in appearance, these elements are paired to a set of fog lamps and lower vent that matches the layout, with gloss black surrounds and finish.

The rear end’s design is also sporty and robust, compensating the front nicely with clean cut contours, while still retaining the edgy-looking outlook.

Completing the layout is a shiny black bumper, GR decals on the lower tailgate, and a GR badge on the top right corner.

The headlamps are slanted inwards, angularly shaped and have a focused design. They are automatic Bi-LED projector units, with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), Follow-Me-Home function, automatic headlamp levelling and sequential turn signals.

Angularly wrapped-around, and featuring an inward-three light graphic, the tail lamps contribute a lot of aesthetic to the rear layout, compensating the minimalistic style well. The set comes in full LED units.

The side mirrors are power-adjustable and -retractable, with signal lamps and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM).

Fitted are a set of four-piston fixed calliper ventilated discs (front) with red-painted GR badged brake callipers, and a set of leading-trailing drum brakes (rear).

It comes with a set of GR Sport Design, 18-Inch multi-spoke, all-black alloy rims, wrapped in 265/60 R18 highway terrain tyres.

The new Hilux GR-S has a straightforward dashboard layout. It features an all-black scheme with hard paddings on the panels. 

All the elements are placed logically and driver centric, for a better driving experience. Overall, the craftsmanship is premium quality, exuding sporty elegance. 

It features an Optitron with illumination control instrument panel that has a 4.2-Inch TFT Colour Multi-Information Display (MID).

The interior sees a black leather and suede combo with red contrasting stitching upholstery, which also has the GR logo embossed on the front seat headrests.

It comes with GR Sport front sport seats, an eight-way power adjustable driver seat, a four-way manual adjustable front passenger seat, and a 60:40 tip up rear bench.

It gets a four-spoke leather steering wheel with red stitching, that has multi-switches (Hands-free, Audio, MID, Bluetooth), paddle shifters, and tilt and telescopic functions. The steering is aided via a setup of Rack and Pinion with hydraulic power assist.

Numerous storage areas, e.g., side door pockets, backseat pockets, compartmentalised storage areas in the centre console and a decent-sized glove box.

There are four cup holders. Two in the centre console and two in the rear armrests. There are also four bottle holders. One each in the side door pocket.

It comes with two USB ports, one for charging and one for connectivity, and two 12-V power sockets. All four outlets are located at the centre console.

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver, driver knee, front passenger, sides, curtain), seat belts with warning and two three-point ELR with pretensioner and force limiter (front seats), three three-point ELR and ISOFIX (rear seats), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and Trailer Sway Control (TSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), reverse sensor and camera, immobiliser, siren with backup battery, cabin sensor, double locking and speed auto door lock, Tyre Pressure Warning System (TPWS), Vehicle Telematics System (VTS), Digital Video Recorder (DVR) (front), and Toyota Premium Security and Solar Film.

There are four drive modes via the electronic 4WD transfer dial – Normal, Eco, Power, and 4WD.

It is installed with a 9-Inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, navigation, USB and Bluetooth.

The Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of ADAS, along with the accompanying systems will make driving in the city or long distances a hassle-free endeavour. Not to forget the drive modes, making driving on any terrain an exhilarating experience.

It features a six-speaker setup.

Powering the new Hilux GR-S is a 1GD-FTV 2.8-Litre, in-line four-cylinder 16-valve, DOHC intercooler VNT diesel engine, producing 201 HP at 3,000 to 3,400 RPM and 500 NM of torque at 1,600 to 2,800 rpm.

It gets a six-speed automatic with sequential and paddle shifters.

Riding with a part-time 4WD system with Automatic Disconnecting Differential (ADD).

Fitted is a fuel tank capacity of 80-Litres.

The new Hilux GR-S gets Smart Keyless Entry System with push-start button, headlamps with auto levelling and Follow-Me-Home functions, multi-function steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustments, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, an eight-way power adjustable driver seat, illumination system (push-start, room, footwell), 360-degree camera (PVM), reverse camera (rear), parking sensors (rear), and bedliner.

There are rear air vents located at the rear section of the centre console.

Coming with a sports-tuned suspension system, it now provides greater confidence on the road, especially when taking a corner. 

Collectively, it has better damping force and optimal balance for improved stability, and better steering response and flexibility for improved handling.

All thanks to a setup of GR Sport Monotube Damper (independent double wishbone with coil spring and stabiliser - front, leaf spring with rigid axle - rear). 

Of which is complemented by these upgrades, Auto Limited-Slip Differential (LSD), Rear Differential Lock, and Variable Flow Control (VFC) power steering.

Elsewhere, it is spacious, firm and safe, and the seats are supportive and well-bolstered, offering a sporty driving dynamic.

It has good sound insulation, covering all the NVH aspects, and there are no abnormal wind issues at any speed.