Ford already has the newly turbo V6-powered Ford Ranger Raptor to grab our attention for its flatbed. So now we turn to Toyota’s riposte for that workhorse-with-racing-tackle: the Dakar Rally-inspired Toyota Hilux GR Sport.
With a four-cylinder diesel engine, this Hilux may be considered closer in concept to the first-gen Ranger Raptor diesel than the second-generation V6.
Rather than trading carrying capacity for a high-end suspension makeover as the Ford did, however, the Toyota retains its leaf-sprung rear axle, its one-tonne load-bay rating and its intended role as a working vehicle.
The GR Sport is the only Hilux to get Toyota’s nine-speaker JBL premium audio system as standard, but it doesn’t do much to move the soul. Sound quality is still fairly thin, and the poor integration of the speaker design leaves much to be desired.
Two gloveboxes are better than one if you have tools to carry. The top one is slightly hidden, opened by a button on the dash that could easily be a model badge.
Buy one with off-roading in mind, or regular heavy-duty on-road driving, and that may be just fine; it’s simply a question of understanding what you’re buying and what the vehicle’s strengths are. autocar.co.uk
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