Toyota HiLux won’t spawn a Ford Ranger Raptor rival

Toyota says it will not build a Ford Ranger Raptor-rivalling version of Australia’s favourite ute, the Toyota HiLux, as heat builds at the top-end of the booming dual-cab 4x4 ute market and buyers continue to demand more power and performance.

But the Japanese car-maker says it has at least one more surprise for the current-generation HiLux line-up in store for 2024.

Speaking at this week’s launch of the 2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport – the new hero of the HiLux line-up – Toyota Australia sales and marketing chief Sean Hanley said there are no plans to produce an even faster or more hard-core HiLux GR variant (as opposed to the lesser GR Sport).

“We have no plans now… to go any further up the stream, but we’d never rule it out,” he said when asked about the potential for a Raptor rival.

“We’re not even considering a higher model than what we’ve got… it’s not even on our radar.”

Priced from $73,990 before on-road costs, the GR Sport gets revised software to eke 10 per cent more power from its 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, at 165kW/550Nm. It’s accompanied by a recalibrated six-speed auto designed to give slicker shifts.

There’s also a thick metal bash plate underneath, red recovery hooks at the rear, red brake callipers and rock rails for hard-core off-roading.

Inside, the pinnacle of the HiLux line-up gets sportier front seats, red seatbelts and unique trim, including perforated suede seat trim.

But there is at least one more new HiLux variant coming, with Hanley confirming there will be a “surprise” in 2024.

“We have at least one more HiLux surprise in store in the next year,” he said after announcing the Hilux GR Sport to the media this week.

“Before you ask me what it is, you’ll have to wait.”

There’s no shortage of rivals for the HiLux these days, with Ford leading the way by expanding its Ranger line-up at the top end of the market.

As well as the Raptor, Ford offers the Wildtrak X – arguably the closest competitor to the Hilux GR Sport – and recently added the luxury Platinum trim line to the Ranger line-up.

And it seems Toyota is watching.

Hanley left the door open for additional variants of the HiLux, something made easier by the still-fresh Toyota Conversion Centre on the outskirts of Melbourne.

“These are all opportunities for us,” he said when asked whether Australians could see more versions of the HiLux. “Potentially, yes. We look at everything.”

The Toyota Conversion Centre makes minor local alterations to cars that couldn’t economically be done on the high-volume production line in Thailand where HiLux utes are manufactured.

It’s all about smaller vehicle programs that are tailored to individual market segments – something Toyota says gives it more agility to respond to customer demands.

“We’re no longer locked into these product cycles of yesteryear,” said Hanley. “We’re nimble, we’re quick, we’re bringing cars to market.”

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