New Toyota HiLux GR Sport confirmed for 2027

The Toyota HiLux GR Sport is set to return in 2027 to take on the Ford Ranger Raptor, following comments made by the boss of Toyota South Africa.

The current ninth-generation HiLux was launched in Australia in December 2025, but the lineup didn't include the flagship GR Sport model (or GR-S).

Toyota Australia currently offers a GR Sport model grade for its Yaris Cross, Corolla Cross and C-HR, as well as its LandCruiser 300 Series and the new-generation RAV4 SUV.

According to Cars.co.za, the head of Toyota South Africa, Andrew Kirby, confirmed a GR Sport HiLux is on the way. In Australia, this would sit above the current range-topping diesel variants, the HiLux Rogue and Rugged X, both priced at $71,990 before on-road costs.

When asked by Cars.co.za whether a HiLux GR Sport would join the current lineup, the Toyota South Africa boss said “Next year sometime” there would be “an exciting product”, before adding “that’s about all I can say”.

Like Australia, South Africa is a right-hand drive market, but it sources its HiLux from its Prospecton plant in Durban, South Africa. While it hasn't been confirmed as a source for the new model, the previous GR Sport was made in Thailand like the rest of the current Australian-market range.

It’s unclear whether Australia could take a South African-made GR Sport if this flagship variant wasn't also produced in Thailand. Arch-rival Ford sources its hybrid versions of the Ranger from South Africa, while the rest of the Ranger lineup is imported from Thailand.

Toyota Australia hasn't confirmed a HiLux GR Sport for Australian showrooms. However, GR (Gazoo Racing) was announced as one of the five core brands the company would focus on in late 2025.

As well as Toyota, this included Lexus and ultra-luxury brand Century. It also included Daihatsu, previously sold here, but Toyota has said it has no plans to bring Daihatsu models to Australia.

The first HiLux GR Sport was launched in 2018, while the Australian version arrived in 2023, inspired by the brand’s Dakar Rally-winning off-roaders and priced at $73,990 before on-road costs.

As well as a more potent version of the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, which remains the mainstay of the new model, it included unique bodywork, wheel-arch extensions, all-terrain tyres and unique suspension.

This included KYB shock absorbers and revised spring rates, with a 15mm increase in ride height and wider front and rear tracks.

Compared to the HiLux SR5, the previous GR Sport’s front track was widened by a significant 135mm, with the rear track 155mm wider, the same increases as the updated HiLux Rogue launched here in 2022. The new-generation Rogue has no such track increases.

The Toyota South Africa boss shed no light on whether the “exciting product” would include wider tracks and significantly retuned suspension, as before.

However, ahead of the new generation’s launch here in December 2025, Toyota Australia chief designer Nick Hogios, whose team designed the exterior of the new model range, was quizzed on a HiLux GR Sport.

“That’s, I guess, in the future,” Mr Hogios told Australian media including CarExpert in response to a question regarding a wide-track HiLux.

“But yeah, we’ll get to that – at the moment, there’s enough news here with this one.”

The HiLux is Toyota Australia’s most popular model, and currently second only to the Ranger as the best-selling vehicle outright. With 36,616 sales, the HiLux made up 23.9 per cent – almost one-quarter – of all new Toyotas sold here between January and September 2026.

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