Toyota Hilux is one of the best-selling pick-up trucks in the world and is especially popular in Asia and the Middle East. The global popularity of this vehicle has encouraged the Japanese brand to bring the Hilux to India as well, something that we expect to happen in the first half of 2022. But ahead of that, Toyota has gone ahead and introduced the Hilux GR Sport variant in Japan. In case you didn’t know, GR is an acronym for Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s performance and racing division. So, the GR Sport suffix for the Hilux, at the outset, suggests that it is the high-performance version of the pick-up truck. Sadly, it is only the sportier-looking version with no power output changes. In fact, the model launched in Japan is quite similar to Toyota Hilux Revo GR Sport that was launched in Thailand a few months ago. 

Toyota Hilux GR Sport has the same design as the regular Hilux but gets a slightly different fascia on the account of a different front grille integrated with a body colour section. It also has smoke silver alloy wheels, red brake callipers, body-coloured wheel arches, side-step, and a black rear bumper. These changes are subtle but do help one tell the GR Sport apart from the regular Hilux. 

Toyota Hilux GR Sport has the same interior layout as the regular Hilux but adds GR moniker on the steering wheel and GR branding on the seats. The company has approached the GR Sport edition with restraint, meaning that it has added no new feature to the pick-up truck. So, the GR Sport has features like a semi-digital instrument cluster with  4.2-inch TFT MID (but with GR graphics), automatic AC, a touchscreen, radar-based cruise control, front and rear sensors, keyless entry, etc. 

Toyota Hilux GR Sport is powered by a 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine that puts out 148 bhp with 400 Nm of peak torque. This powerplant comes mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters. And the offroading capabilities of this pick-up truck are enhanced by rear differential lock and a part-time all-wheel-drive system that includes three modes — H2, H4, and L4 — with H2 suitable for urban conditions while the L4 is ideal for extreme terrains. There’s also an automatic limited-slip differential to distribute torque between left and right wheels to improve traction. Hill-start assist control and downhill assist control further make it easier for this car to take on mountains and dunes.

As mentioned before, Toyota Hilux is expected to be launched in India next year and the GR Sport edition will only be launched at a later stage here, depending upon the demand for the pick-up truck.