Don’t name it a Ranger Raptor rival. That’s no longer what that is intended to be.

That’s in line with Toyota Australia, which did many of the paintings in this new top-spec take at the current-gen HiLux theme.

The Toyota HiLux GR Game is the results of an Australian-led design and building program with the purpose of instilling the essence of the Dakar Rally-winning HiLux truck into one thing a standard buyer may just purchase.

Truthfully, that turns out a tad far-fetched, however the designers have showcased some cues that will let you attach the 2 on your thoughts.

With its big-foot underpinnings shared with the Rogue mannequin, a brand new appearance, extra energy and torque, a revised auto gearbox with paddle-shifters, four-wheel disc brakes, revised KYB shocks, and a few inner trim revisions, there’s slightly that has modified.

However in numerous tactics, that is only a new tackle an previous ute.

How a lot does the Toyota HiLux value?

It’s the costliest Toyota HiLux on this era, at $73,990 earlier than on-road prices. However unbelievably, that’s no longer overly pricey for a dual-cab ute at the present time!

I imply, it’s no longer reasonably priced for numerous other people, however taking into consideration the adjustments made to this model of the HiLux, there’s quite a few worth on be offering right here. 

For context, that $74k checklist method this is a few thousand bucks dearer than the present flagship Rogue, which is now $70,760 earlier than on-roads.

However for much more context, the GR Game model of the HiLux could be very intently priced to the next utes:

All costs exclude on-road prices.

However in case you’re on the cheap and desire a severe off-road dual-cab ute, there’s additionally the GWM Ute Cannon-XSR, which is a cut price beast at $52,990 drive-away.

Adjustments to the GR Game over an SR5 are intensive.

It rides at the wider music format of the Rogue, with an extra 135mm of width on the entrance axle and 155mm on the rear, and Toyota says the over fender arch flares permit shoppers to upsize their wheel and tyre package deal, which will have to imply you gained’t get fined in case you match a collection of 33-inch muddies.

Usual rubber is a collection of 265/65R17 Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tyres, with gloss-black, model-specific 17-inch alloy wheels. Plus, it rides 15mm taller than maximum different HiLuxes, too.

There are new KYB monotube surprise absorbers, the rear stabiliser bar has been deleted for higher off-road-ability, there are four-wheel disc brakes, and the front-end has observed a particular new-look bumper and grille fitted.

The bumper comprises aerodynamic components to lend a hand it push in the course of the air higher – however in case you’re this type of one that prefers a ‘frontal coverage bar’ (previously referred to as a bull bar), then Toyota has such an choice for you from its in-house equipment catalogue.

There’s additionally a locally-developed, “Dakar-inspired” entrance skid plate, rock-rails alongside the sills, and 20mm metal rear restoration issues, painted pink for additonal visibility. And there’s a standard-fit towbar with a tow ball and seven-pin wiring harness. If you need an digital trailer brake controller, it is very important pay further. 

And there are some inner adjustments too…

What’s the Toyota HiLux like at the within?

Proper, if you’re anticipating massive adjustments you’re going to be left disenchanted. Except you believe pink seat belts to be a large trade…

There are some significant changes to the cabin, together with a brand new set of GR Game seats trimmed in suede and faux leather-based, with further bolstering in comparison to the seats in different fashions. They have got GR embroidery at the headrests, and there’s distinction mild sewing for the seats, armrests, and steerage wheel. 

The tiller is a GR unit with a pink straight-ahead marker, leather-based grabby bits, however the similar styling as a common HiLux in relation to button placement. Yep, nonetheless a cruise regulate stalk, too.

The rear seat trim suits the fronts, you get a dismal headliner, and there are new plastic trim designs at the doorways, dashboard, and power selector encompass.

In a different way? It’s a top-spec HiLux within. The adjustments do make it really feel extra particular than a common mannequin, however no longer just about as up-scale as some new competitors just like the Amarok and Ranger, that have shifted the sport considerably. 

That implies you continue to get that very same previous media unit – albeit with a brand new pores and skin design and pink graphics which can be slightly more uncomplicated to get to phrases with. The previous stacked menu setup has made approach for a greater, extra smartphone-like icon format, and that is helping.

And it’s additionally just right to peer that you simply’ve were given knobs and buttons to regulate the primary purposes of the media gadget, despite the fact that – as with quite a few different Toyota merchandise – probably the most things you’d like so to do whilst you’re riding, you’ll be able to’t, like kind in a telephone quantity or deal with within the mapping gadget of your selection.

There are even a couple of settings you’ll be able to’t alter whilst riding. I suppose it’s designed to make you employ voice regulate.

There may be dual-zone local weather regulate, single-stage seat heating for the entrance seats (it’s on, or it’s off) and the motive force’s seat options electrical adjustment, whilst the passenger’s seat remains to be handbook.

The distance hasn’t observed any adjustments in relation to the practicality on be offering, with a couple of cupholders in entrance of the tools selector, in addition to a garage cubby for a telephone there. The lined centre console bin has a 230V powerpoint within, and there are a few 12V ports and USBs up entrance, too.

In the second one row, house is ok however no longer remarkable. For a 182cm/six-foot occupant to sit down at the back of a similarly-sized motive force, there’s sufficient room, however it’s no longer like you’re feeling as despite the fact that you’ve were given acres of room.

And particularly the headroom is tight, with house impinged upon by way of the HiLux’s very cast grab-handles. I’m satisfied those will harm you in case you’re off-roading and no longer being attentive to the bumps coming!

There are directional air vents for rear-seat riders, however no rear USB ports (you’ll be able to run a cable to the powerpoint within the armrest up entrance). There’s a suave little buying groceries bag hook built-in into the seat again of the passenger seat, plus bottle holders within the doorways, a flip-down armrest with cupholders, and map wallet as neatly.

For those who plan to make use of a HiLux as a circle of relatives rig, remember that it does have ISOFIX issues within the outboard seats, however there’s only one top-tether hook at the back of the centre heart seat.

That implies it’s important to anchor your window-seat-riding pill or seat to a central location at the back of the headrests, and agree with me (as a dad who repeatedly swaps seats between take a look at automobiles) you by no means really feel adore it’s as safe correctly.

Proper, so what about tray house? The HiLux GR Game would possibly have the wider-track format however the usable house within the shipment space is not any other to the opposite HiLux fashions:

• Bath size: 1569mm
• Bath width: 1645mm
• Width between wheel arches: 1109mm
• Bath intensity: 470mm

Be mindful there’s possibly a couple of millimetres much less in all instructions because of the fitment of the plastic GR bath liner, which is slightly slippery for unfastened pieces. A sprig-in liner would lend a hand that.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

It’s a well-recognized four-cylinder, however bumped up at the grunt numbers.

The 2.8-litre turbo-diesel that has been in provider for all of the HiLux lifecycle has in any case been tickled slightly in relation to energy, making 165kW (3000rpm) and torque, now 550Nm (1600-2800rpm).

The ones are 10 in line with cent will increase because of a retune of the pc – no {hardware} adjustments had been made.

There’s a standard-fit six-speed computerized gearbox with paddle-shifters, and the HiLux has selectable four-wheel pressure (2H, 4H and 4L low-range), in addition to a locking rear differential.

Towing capability is unchanged in comparison to ordinary HiLux fashions, with 750kg unbraked capability and 3500kg braked most capability.

The burden for this new mannequin is slightly upper than some others despite the fact that, at 2270kg, that means a most payload capability of 780kg (the gross automobile mass or GVM, is 3050kg). That’s lovely low for a dual-cab designed for doable circle of relatives hauling and towing.

On that subject, the gross mixture mass (GCM) is 5850kg. So that you’re in reality going to wish to do the math on the subject of how a lot your circle of relatives weighs, how a lot your stuff weighs, and what kind of you’ll be able to in truth break out with on the subject of towing.

Now what about gasoline potency? The HiLux GR Game is diesel-powered, with an 80-litre gasoline tank capability. The legit mixed cycle gasoline intake determine is 8.4 litres in line with 100km.

In this take a look at pressure round Orange within the NSW Central West, our take a look at automobile was once showing 11.3L/100km throughout a mixture of riding together with some low-range off-roading, which could be very spectacular.

In additional open-road, non-off-road stuff, it was once appearing 10.4L/100km. 

We did a towing loop with a near-3200kg caravan in tow, and the show was once appearing 18.2L/100km, which – taking into consideration the riding was once a mixture of open street, city and low-speed stuff, is superb if you’ll be able to mirror it in fact.

How does the Toyota HiLux pressure?

Um. It’s no longer as massive a transformation as you may be expecting.

The GR Game model of the HiLux is indubitably slightly other to the present variations of this ute. However is it dramatically other? No.

It’s no longer like stepping from a Wildtrak to a Raptor, as an example; you continue to very a lot know that you simply’re in a different HiLux this is in accordance with a common one.

The engine has extra energy and torque, however this model of the HiLux is heavier than the others, so it doesn’t in reality make its presence felt except you’re in energy mode, and in reality hassling it to hustle.

And sure, the six-speed auto has been recalibrated to fit the extra energy and torque, however it nonetheless behaves similarly, with lovely company shifts now and then, and the engine-braking characteristic whilst you’re descending a hill that suggests it shifts again a tools to take a look at and help with exhaust braking.

For essentially the most section the shift common sense is just right, however we had one or two moments at the release pressure the place the transmission reputedly forgot that it had to shift up a tools, which was once atypical. 

Whilst there are paddle shifters on be offering, it’s no longer in reality one thing I’ve ever idea the HiLux wanted – no less than no longer whilst riding at tempo. They do come into their very own at decrease speeds when off-roading, despite the fact that. 

Proper, earlier than we get to that, let’s speak about the riding manners. They’re nonetheless extra competitive than maximum different utes.

This is to mention that the journey convenience is best regarded as journey discomfort, with not anything within the bath. It’s a troublesome factor. Even on roads that appearance easy you’ll in finding you might be being bumped round slightly. 

The steerage has a hefty feeling, too, with reasonably numerous weight to the motion, and it may be heavy to show the tiller at low speeds. It’s correct and predictable, despite the fact that, which means that you don’t in reality wish to second-guess your self or the ute.

On high-speed gravel roads the suspension turns out at its best possible, with a much less jarring nature and respectable –  however no longer good – journey convenience. It nonetheless tends to pick out up the small bumps and mounds, however over extra sizeable undulations it’s extra amenable. 

Likewise in low-speed off-roading, the GR Game maintains its “you’re going to really feel each little bit of this” revel in.

I’ve pushed numerous utes off-road in low-speed eventualities and care for for individuals who don’t name themselves “off-road mavens”, the HiLux provides a fantastic approach into it, as it’s ridiculously succesful, and also you in reality do get a really feel for the whole lot that’s taking place.

Different utes are slightly extra anaesthetised on the subject of the low-speed rock crawling, crag-climbing, and water-wading studies. However you in reality can really feel the wheels shifting beneath you, and the route trade whilst you’re steerage is tactile as neatly.

It’s punishing, on the identical time, as it’s very inflexible and company, however higher that than being comfy and breaking stuff, proper?

The quick towing loop at this release match noticed the HiLux confused with 3 adults on board, a spare set of wheels within the bath to simulate a circle of relatives baggage load, and a circa-3150kg off-road circle of relatives caravan hooked as much as the again.

In that situation, there was once no scarcity of pulling energy – as I’ve frequently discovered, Toyota diesel fashions have a tendency to really feel higher whilst you’re asking one thing of the engine. It will get lovely vocal whilst you do, however the transmission was once in large part neatly taken care of.

Whilst there was once little or no proof of suspension sag with that a lot weight at the towball, the suspension remained sharp.

I’ve towed with many of the different utes on this elegance with a three.0-tonne van, and whilst the roads weren’t equivalent, they didn’t wish to be for me to return to the evaluation that that is going to be a much less comfy long-distance tourer than probably the most others in the market.

What do you get?

Right here’s a rundown of probably the most ordinary apparatus highlights for the GR Game:

• 17-inch alloy wheels in 265/65 R17 Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tyres
• Rock rail aspect steps
• Underbody coverage
• LED headlights, daylight operating lighting fixtures and entrance fog lighting fixtures
• Tow bar, wiring harness, tow ball
• Rear restoration hooks
• Leather-based and suede-upholstered sports activities seats
• Energy motive force’s seat
• Heated entrance seats
• Crimson seat belts
• Aluminium pedals
• Paddle shifters
• 9-speaker JBL sound gadget
• 8.0-inch touchscreen media gadget
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ virtual radio
• Privateness glass
• Twin-zone local weather regulate air-conditioning
• Rear air vents 
• Keyless access and get started

Belongings you gained’t in finding within the GR Game come with a tonneau quilt, curler quilt or hard-top, nor a sports activities bar on the again. The logo says patrons will need to building up their rig, so why give them stuff they’ll rip off, anyway? 

Is the Toyota HiLux protected?

For those who suppose a brand new automobile should have an ANCAP ranking to be regarded as protected, then I’m sorry to mention you gained’t be proud of the location with the HiLux GR Game.

That’s as a result of, in spite of having the usual protection era you in finding in different fashions within the line-up, the GR Game in particular doesn’t have an ANCAP ranking.

Toyota says that consumers take into account that the Toyota Protection Suite of lively era is mainly an assurance of a excessive degree of protection, in spite of there no longer being an ANCAP ranking for this variant. Even so, the ute comes ordinary with:

• Auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and bicycle owner detection
• Lane departure caution
• Lane maintaining help
• Blind-spot tracking
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Reversing digital camera
• Encompass-view (360-degree) digital camera
• Seven airbags – twin entrance, entrance aspect, motive force’s knee and full-length curtain 

How a lot does the Toyota HiLux value to run?

Usual tale on the subject of possession stuff for Toyota.

That implies a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guaranty plan, which will prolong out to seven years for the powertrain you probably have logbook repairs performed – and it doesn’t wish to be with Toyota, both.

Plus there’s a capped-price servicing plan for the primary 3 years or 60,000 kilometres, with shorter-than-average repairs necessities of six months or 10,000 kilometres.

The per-service value is $280, so you’ll be splashing out $560 a yr for the primary 3 years at a minimal, which isn’t terrific for this elegance (Ford and Volkswagen common out at about $330 a yr for the primary 4 years, and with higher periods of twelve months/15,000km).

CarExpert’s Take

The adjustments mightn’t be massive, and arguably they’re no longer sufficiently big to make this an actual stand-out take at the Toyota HiLux theme.

However in case you simply need essentially the most hardcore HiLux so far, it’s going to be a perfect selection for you.

It’s an off-road weapon directly off the showroom ground… however it’s no Ranger Raptor rival. 

Possibly that’s nonetheless to return? Right here’s hoping.

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MORE: The whole thing Toyota HiLux
BUY: Toyota HiLux