2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport coming to Australia next year

That 2023 Toyota HiLux GR Sport is due to appear in Australia in the second half of 2023 as a new flagship variant, the Japanese auto giant has confirmed.

Toyota Australia today ended weeks of speculation by confirming plans for the HiLux GR Sport to replace the Rugged X as the flagship variant of its popular Ute.

However, Toyota Australia has yet to announce which of the four overseas HiLux GR Sport variants will be sold here – or whether the model due to hit local showrooms next year will be specific to Australia.

“Toyota Australia has confirmed a new hardcore Halo variant for the HiLux pickup range, with the all-new off-road-focused GR Sport class due to launch in the second half of 2023,” Toyota said in a media statement .

“Toyota Australia is replacing the Rugged X as the flagship SUV in the HiLux range and will be announcing more details on the GR Sport closer to next year’s local launch.”

In Thailand and Europe, the Toyota HiLux GR Sport uses the same 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine as the rest of the model range – and used in Australia’s Thai-built HiLux Utens – with outputs of 150kW/500Nm.

In South Africa, the Toyota HiLux GR Sport upgrades to a 165kW/550Nm version of the same 2.8-litre diesel engine – while the Japanese GR Sport uses a 2.4-litre 110kW/400Nm turbocharged diesel four-cylinder.

While all Toyota HiLux GR Sport models around the world feature a number of key upgrades compared to less-equipped variants, some of the changes vary from country to country, with three different front bumper designs being offered across the four regions.

All Toyota HiLux GR Sport examples feature wider body-colored wheel arch extensions, upgraded suspension, TOYOTA block lettering above the grille and GR Sport badging.

Interior upgrades included front sport seats with GR headrest logos, a GR steering wheel with red stitching and a top dead center stripe, and a GR-specific instrument cluster.

However, the differences between each version include the front bumpers, grille, wheel designs and trim on the dashboard.

It’s unclear if any of Toyota Australia’s Australian-market GR Sport upgrades will be installed at its Melbourne plant – as is the case with the current Rugged X model class.

As previously reported by journeyThe Toyota HiLux Rogue will feature 140mm wider front and rear wheel tracks and a 20mm higher ride height, as well as ventilated rear disc brakes replacing the drum brakes on all current Toyota HiLux variants.

The Toyota HiLux Rogue closes the gap between the HiLux SR5 and HiLux GR Sport variants.

Prices for the Toyota HiLux Rogue and HiLux GR Sport are yet to be confirmed.