Toyota is likely to eventually toughen up its new-generation ute with the major wide-track upgrades rolled out on the outgoing GR Sport.
The wide-track Toyota HiLux looks likely to return in the new-generation line-up with a mooted future reintroduction of the off-road GR Sport hero.
The new-generation HiLux revealed this week has dropped the 'wide-track' footprint from the Rogue, introduced to its predecessor three years ago – and axed the GR Sport off-road flagship that inherited the broader footprint 12 months later.
It was anticipated the wide-track upgrade – a significant engineering investment that brought wider axles, reworked suspension, and rear disc brakes – would lay the groundwork for the new model, but only the uprated brakes have carried over.
That may not last for long, however, as Toyota has hinted at a return of the upgraded footprint, possibly to coincide with the return of the top-of-the-range off-road special.
"You'll have to wait and see on that one," Toyota Australia sales and marketing boss Sean Hanley told Drive, when quizzed on the return of the wide-track.
Toyota Australia senior product planning specialist Rodney Lyons similarly left the door open for the wide-track's return.
"Yeah, I think there's a possibility for that in the future," Lyons told Drive, "[but there's] nothing to announce at the moment."
He said elements of the improvements introduced by the broader footprint have filtered down into standard HiLux models.
"I think it's done the job, and what we expected it to do is to perform well. We feel that some of the changes on that car have made their way into the core-grade HiLux in the new generation too," Lyons said.
"Some of the ride and handling [aspects]. I think you've probably driven the Rogue recently ... and then today, [you've] probably felt like the new car feels a bit more like that.
"The wider-track Rogue and GR-S are a bit more refined for on-road driving, and I think the new car has that sort of experience as well, just without the wider track."
Rear disc brakes debuted on the wide-track models are now offered on the standard-width, new-generation SR5 and Rogue variants, but other upgrades, such as the rear anti-roll bar and shock absorbers positioned outboard of the chassis, have not made the cut.
The wide-track variants have been fruitful for Toyota, with the GR Sport accounting for 6 per cent of HiLux deliveries so far in 2025, and the Rogue on 11 per cent.
"Anything GR Sport is successful for Toyota," said Hanley.
"It's a really engaging and encouraging brand that's establishing itself very well. So yeah, GR Sport's deeply important. It's appealing to customers ... it's been a good addition to the Toyota line-up."
Until a new GR Sport arrives, the flagship of the new HiLux range will be the Rugged X, with off-road-ready accessories developed in Australia.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
