Let me tell you about the first time I truly understood what separates a good off-road vehicle from a legendary one. I was watching a TNT basketball game where Roger Pogoy absolutely dominated the court, hitting three consecutive three-pointers in one explosive stretch that propelled his team to a 29-18 lead by the end of the first quarter. That kind of explosive, sustained performance - starting strong and maintaining dominance - is exactly what I look for in off-road vehicles. And when it comes to the 2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport, I've been testing whether it can deliver that same level of consistent excellence across challenging terrain.
Having driven numerous pickup trucks through everything from desert dunes to mountain trails over my 15 years as an automotive journalist, I've developed a pretty good sense of what makes an off-roader truly exceptional. The Hilux GR Sport enters a crowded field where vehicles like the Ford Ranger Raptor and Nissan Navara Pro-4X have already set high expectations. Toyota claims this isn't just another trim level - they've poured their Gazoo Racing expertise into creating what might be the ultimate expression of their legendary pickup. After spending three weeks with this vehicle across multiple terrains, I can confidently say they're onto something special, though it's not without its compromises.
Under the hood, you're looking at a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that produces 204 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers matter because they represent a significant 24 horsepower and 33 lb-ft increase over the standard Hilux. In practice, this translates to acceleration that feels remarkably responsive for a diesel pickup. I remember pushing it up a steep, rocky incline in Arizona where the torque delivery felt as consistent as Pogoy's shooting streak - just relentless power when you need it most. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, though I did notice some hesitation when switching between drive modes during technical sections.
Where the GR Sport truly shines is in its suspension upgrades. The company has installed new shock absorbers with revised damping rates and increased the front and rear track width by 140mm and 155mm respectively. These might sound like technical specifications, but on rough trails, they translate to stability that makes you feel like you're gliding over terrain that would have other trucks bouncing uncomfortably. The reinforced frame and retuned springs provide 20mm more ground clearance than standard models, which proved crucial when navigating deep ruts that would have grounded lesser vehicles. I personally appreciated how these mechanical improvements worked in harmony rather than as isolated upgrades.
The electronic differential lock and downhill assist control systems deserve special mention. During a particularly challenging descent with a 35-degree slope, the vehicle maintained perfect composure while I watched a friend's modified truck struggle beside me. Toyota's Multi-Terrain Select system offers five different modes - mud, sand, rock, dirt, and snow - and I found them genuinely useful rather than marketing gimmicks. In sand mode specifically, the traction control system allowed just enough wheel slip to maintain momentum without digging in, something many competitors still struggle to perfect.
Now, let's talk about where Toyota could have pushed further. The interior, while comfortable with its sport seats and GR-branded steering wheel, doesn't feel as premium as what Ford offers in the Raptor. The 8-inch touchscreen interface sometimes lagged when switching between functions, and I found myself wishing for physical buttons during bumpy sections. Cargo capacity remains identical to other Hilux models at 1,065 kilograms, which is respectable but not class-leading. Fuel economy averaged about 9.2L/100km during mixed driving in my testing, though this jumped to nearly 12.5L/100km during intense off-road sessions.
What surprised me most was how composed the GR Sport felt on pavement. Many dedicated off-roaders sacrifice road manners, but this truck managed winding mountain roads with confidence thanks to its stiffer anti-roll bars and retuned electric power steering. The brake feel is progressive and predictable, with 332mm front discs providing strong stopping power even when carrying moderate loads. Wind noise at highway speeds remains well-controlled, making this a vehicle you could comfortably drive for hours without fatigue.
From my perspective, Toyota has created something that balances everyday usability with serious off-road capability in a way that few competitors manage. The GR Sport doesn't necessarily outperform specialized vehicles in every category - the Raptor might be faster in desert runs, while the Jeep Gladiator offers more extreme rock-crawling capability - but it delivers 85% of their performance across all conditions while being more livable day-to-day. It's the automotive equivalent of a versatile basketball player who may not lead every statistical category but consistently contributes across the board.
After my extensive testing, I believe the 2022 Hilux GR Sport represents one of the most compelling packages in the current off-road pickup market. It starts strong like Pogoy's three-point streak and maintains that performance across varied conditions. While perfection remains elusive in any vehicle, Toyota has crafted a truck that delivers exceptional capability without sacrificing the reliability and practicality that made the Hilux legendary. For enthusiasts who want one vehicle that can handle weekday commutes and weekend adventures with equal competence, this might just be the ultimate off-road pickup currently available.