Things are a bit more special for the Hilux though. As one of their longest running names in the lineup, Toyota told the boys to retune the engine for the GR-S version. It’s the same 1GD-FTV as the Hilux Conquest, but the GR-S puts out 20 more horsepower and 50 more torque. The question is, is that better than the Conquest?

Apart from the engine, of course they jazzed it up a little. While the Conquest looks like a buff guy with a shirt on, the Hilux GR-S looks the same only its sleeves were cut. It proudly flaunts its broad fender flares, along with its new face, and blacked-out emblems. Get it in black and only the Toyota lettering on the grille is visible on the fascia. It looks mean, proud, and classy all at the same time.

The cabin also gets instant style points too. Red seatbelts are always cool and were also put in the second row. The seats are also very racing-inspired with its leather/suede combination, GR badges on the headrests and steering wheel, while there are padded materials on the touch points in front of the cabin. There’s also faux carbon fiber trims on the door panels and dashboard that blends everything together.

It’s not all looks either. Their 9-inch touchscreen now has wireless Apple CarPlay which is very much appreciated. There’s also a wireless charger that you can turn on and off at the press of a switch. No digging in the touchscreen needed.

The mechanical improvements to the Hilux GR-S are marginal but felt to a degree. Power ramps up quicker now and it’s more composed at uphill accelerations. Straight line speed is also better now despite the small bump in numbers.

Where it will be weird for previous Hilux owners moving to the GR-S is the ride. Toyota has revised the dampers of the new Hilux GR-S but it still retains the leaf-spring suspension setup. Driving through bumps and potholes in slow speed yields no difference, it still has the typical Hilux feedback. Where it matters is if you go faster and encounter small imperfections on the road. The whole rear isn’t jumping out anymore as the Hilux becomes more accommodating of these ruts. The tolerance is very small though—think of metal sheets on the road. Something deeper than twice that will be jarring again.

Where I applaud the Hilux GR-S though is how it handled the basics. The steering is heavy but lightens up once you’re up to speed. It’s still lighter than others in its class though so that’s a small win. Driving it is still relatively easy, despite measuring close to the ginormous looking Raptor. Tight corners and streets are a cinch here in the Hilux GR-S.

Another upside is the cabin’s quietness. Sure, the engine noise still creeps in but it’s not a loud mess. Even pop music at low volume can drown it out if you’re not speeding up. What’s surprising is the practically non-existent tire noise. All-terrain tires aren’t the quietest bunch and so not hearing them in the cabin is really surprising.

The Toyota Hilux GR-S is not the most tech-driven pickup, nor does it have the best ride comfort. But the GR badge gave it enough improvements to make it a compelling choice over the Conquest. Personally, it looks better for me, the cabin is quiet, its wireless Apple CarPlay reconnects instantly, power is certainly there, and you can load a lot in the cargo bed without a sweat.

Now, you might be thinking I was walking on a tight rope by not mentioning something in this review. Did the GR badge bring the Hilux closer to the Ford Ranger Raptor? The answer is no simply because they are two different things. The Hilux still leans into the traditional pickup tasks with its no frills capability while the Ranger Raptor was meant towards dirt racing. You can try to race the Hilux, but the Ford will have a better ride—that Fox suspension is no joke. 

Then again, the Hilux won’t sweat if loaded with heavy cargo at the back, while the Ranger Raptor will bow down centimeter by centimeter as you load up the rear. They are different things and the Hilux knows it. Why be someone else? It’s a simple case of knowing who you are and banking on your positive qualities.