SPY PICS: Toyota HiLux GR Sport spotted in Thailand

The long-awaited 2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport has just been spied testing on public roads in Thailand, previewing what should be the most expensive, capable and sought-after HiLux variant to date.

Toyota Australia has been without a replacement for its flagship Rugged X since October, when the updated 2022 HiLux range arrived and was then joined by the significantly upgraded 2022 Rogue.

Since then it announced a new GR Sport range-topper – based on the beefed-up Rogue – will belatedly replace the Rugged X in the second half of 2023 – and this our first look at the new HiLux flagship that will top Australia’s best-selling ute range until its all-new replacement arrives around 2025.

Toyota fans have been crying out for a hard-core version of the HiLux to rival the Ford Ranger Raptor and Nissan Navara Warrior for years now. And going by these images circulating in the Thai media, they probably won’t be disappointed.

The most striking features of the GR Sport are significantly wider wheel-arches wrapping around wider wheel tracks which, at the front at least, look like they could even wider than the already-broad Toyota HiLux Rogue

We can’t quite tell whether these arches are bolt-on units like the Rogue’s or if they’re integrated into bespoke front fender and rear tub designs due to the subtle camouflage, though logic would suggest the former due to cost and production simplicity.

Whether or not the tracks go beyond those of the Rogue (+70mm) remains to be seen, but the aggressive alloy wheels lurking within them are wrapped in some significantly chunkier all-terrain tyres.

While they don’t have the same width or volume as those found on the Warrior, the gnarlier tyres should mark a major upgrade over the rest of the high-end HiLux variants, all of which roll on road-focused highway terrains.

The aggro rolling stock and widened tracks are matched by a significant increase in ground clearance, repositioned shock absorbers, upgraded springs and what will surely be a new disc brake set-up at the rear-end.

Referring back to the camouflage for a second, Toyota has tried to mask what’s clearly an altered Rogue front fascia in terms of the grille design, but beneath that we can see a heavy-duty bash plate rising up to meet the bumper.

The old Rugged X used to feature a bush-friendly steel front bumper and if you look closely, it seems the GR Sport will follow its forebear’s lead, based on how far up the bash plate comes and the obvious chunkiness of the disguised front bumper.

Other than its more aggressive exterior design, extra underbody protection, bigger footprint and longer-travel suspension, the GR Sport should bring minor interior updates.

We don’t know yet if the Australia GR Sport will feature any upgrades to the HiLux’s familiar 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel developing 150kW/500Nm, but there’s definitely a chance given the South African version debuted with 165kW/550Nm.

But that still won’t put the HiLux GR Sport anywhere near the big 292kW/583Nm outputs of the Raptor’s 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 and HiLux fans will have to wait until the next-generation ute for a full-blown HiLux GR model, potentially powered by the 300 Series LandCruiser’s 3.3-litre diesel V6.

Until then, the GR Sport will set a new standard for HiLux off-road capability, desirability and pricing (the Rugged X was last sold at $70,750), even if it carries over its predecessor’s six-speed automatic transmission, switchable 4x4 system, locking rear diff and segment-leading traction control system.

For everything you auto know about EVs, listen to carsales' Watts Under the Bonnet: the electric car podcast

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au