In the never-ending battle of brawny dual-cab utes, Toyota has thrown its dependable hat into the hardcore ring with a GR-badged warrior, the HiLux GR Sport. It’s not just a bodykit and badge job, either. This is a genuine top-shelf variant with actual mechanical upgrades.
Developed with input from Aussie engineers and riding higher as the flagship of the HiLux range, it offers tougher looks, a wider stance, and more power to burn. Here, what we think, are the top 5 pros and cons.
2025 Toyota HiLux GR Sport: Pros
1. A proper performance boost
Let’s start with the headline; the trusty 2.8L turbo-diesel now pumps out 165kW and 550Nm – a 10 per cent increase across the board. No, it won’t set your hair on fire, but the added grunt is immediately noticeable. It pulls harder, overtakes cleaner, and doesn’t sound like it’s straining its bolts on steep inclines.
It also helps to cope with the minor weight increase from the mechanical upgrades. The six-speed auto transmission has also been recalibrated to optimise the GR Sport’s increased outputs, too. For the HiLux faithful, this is the punch it always needed.
2. Off-road enhancements
Toyota didn’t just slap some stickers on this and call it GR Sport. The track has been widened (135mm front, 155mm rear), the ride height bumped up by 15mm, and it now rides on KYB monotube shocks. Ditching the rear stabiliser bar adds flex during hairy off-road manoeuvres, and the result is a HiLux that is more capable off-road – and surprisingly stable on it.
It also gains Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tyres, a Dakar-inspired front skid plate, steel rock rails and a pair of red-painted rear recovery points. And despite the suspension upgrades, you still get the full 3500kg braked towing capacity, with a genuine towbar and trailer wiring harness fitted as standard. Although, taking in the GVM (3050kg) means you’re not actually left with much payload/passenger load at full tow capacity.
3. Simplistic cabin
Yes, the interior is showing its age compared with the rest of the segment, but not everyone wants a cabin full of glowing screens and capacitive buttons. The GR Sport’s analogue cluster, physical controls, and old-school layout will appeal to those who prefer tactile reliability over touch-screen drama. And obviously this group of buyers is quite large, as the HiLux remains as one of the top-sellers in the class (sometimes the best-seller outright on a monthly basis).
Plus, Toyota has added some flair; red seatbelts, leather/suede trim, aluminium pedals, a wireless phone charging pad, and a nine-speaker JBL system bring a little flagship swagger inside.
4. Warranty and ongoing costs
The HiLux comes with an industry standard five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. But it is extended to seven years if you have it serviced at a Toyota service centre. Which, by the way is reasonably priced with a capped price arrangement.
The first six services cost $290. Servicing is required more often than average, at 10,000km or six months. A free service is also performed at 5000km or three months. Being a Toyota, you can also count on one of the best resale values on the market.
5. Looks that match the attitude
Visually, the GR Sport dials it up. Flared guards, a blacked-out grille with “TOYOTA” lettering, red brake calipers, and a two-tone roof option make this look like a concept truck that escaped the motor show. The wider stance and chunky 17-inch black alloys wrapped in all-terrain tyres give it genuine presence, whether it’s parked at the worksite or lined up at the beach ramp. It looks tough and should meet the segment demand perfectly.
2025 Toyota HiLux GR Sport: Cons
1. Old
There’s no avoiding it – underneath all the upgrades, this is still a HiLux that dates back to 2015, and even further if you include some of the fundamental components. While Toyota has done well to extend its relevance, the underlying platform is beginning to feel its age in terms of refinement, noise, and overall tech integration.
2. Interior and tech
Similarly, the GR Sport tries to jazz things up with a unique trim, suede and leatherette accents, but the small and chunky 8.0-inch infotainment screen, wired app connections only, analogue dials, and clunky interface are outclassed by rivals such as the Ranger and GWM Cannon. If you like to keep things basic, that’s fine; but at this price point, some buyers might expect more.
3. Six-speed auto falling behind?
While the recalibrated six-speed auto does make better use of the extra torque, it’s still dated. Most competitors are running 8- or 10-speed autos with smoother shifts and, subsequently, offer better fuel economy. Paddle shifters are a fun addition, but they don’t make up for the lack of gear spread.
4. No front locker or terrain management modes:
For a top-shelf off-roader with the GR badge, there’s no front locking diff, no multi-terrain selections, and no advanced trail tech. It’s solid and offers excellent off-road capability in the real world, but nothing here is cutting-edge. Some off-road enthusiasts will love the basics but some might miss the extra capability found in rival top-spec competitors.
5. No roller shutter
For a top-spec model, it should come with something here. And, we get it, some buyers might want to fit their own add-ons from their favourite aftermarket brands. But for an absolute flagship Toyota, we think the brand could have done something really cool and innovative here in terms of kitting it out with real-world practicality measures. Toyota has added a damper for the tailgate for 2025. But more of that stuff, please.
2025 Toyota HiLux GR Sport: Specifications
Engine: 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder
Output: 165kW@3000rpm / 550Nm@1600-2800rpm
Gearbox: Six-speed auto
Drive type: RWD/4WD
Wheels: F & R: 17×7.5, 265/65
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 2050kg
Power-to-weight: 12.42:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 8.1L/100km
Our consumption: 9.4L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 80L/DieselPower efficiency: 20.37kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 4.53 seconds*
0-100km/h: 9.91 seconds*
60-110km/h: 7.01 seconds*
1/4 mile: 17.19 seconds at 132.4km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.592g*
100-0km/h braking: 43.72m in 3.49 seconds
Max deceleration: -1.260g*
Decibel at idle: 45*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 81*
Starting price: $74,310
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2025 Toyota HiLux GR Sport: Verdict
The 2025 HiLux GR Sport is a tough, capable, and genuinely upgraded flagship ute that finally gives HiLux fans something to get excited about. It’s fast enough, mean enough, and strong enough to justify the GR badge. But it’s also wearing yesterday’s interior tech and architecture, which might give pause to buyers seeking more polish for their cash.
2025 Toyota HiLux GR Sport: Video
