2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport 2.8GD-6

The 2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport (GR-S) 2.8GD-6 Double Cabin represents the ultimate high-performance evolution of South Africa's best-selling bakkie, engineered with genuine performance upgrades over the standard Legend trims. Having covered 64,200 kilometers since its import from South Africa, this highly capable truck benefits from an exclusive factory ECU tune boosting both power and torque, alongside a significantly widened track and upgraded sports suspension. It is exceptionally well-suited for the Kenyan market, offering die-hard commercial durability blended with aggressive styling and long-range rally-inspired cross-country capability.

Engine and Performance

• Engine: 2.8-Litre 4-Cylinder Inline Intercooled Twin-Cam Turbo-Diesel (1GD-FTV High-Output Edition)

• Power: 224 hp (165 kW) @ 3000 rpm (A 15 kW / 10% increase over standard Hilux models)

• Torque: 550 Nm @ 1600-2800 rpm (A 50 Nm increase over standard models)

• Transmission: Recalibrated 6-speed Automatic with sequential shift gate and paddle shifters

• Drivetrain: Part-Time 4WD with Auto Disconnecting Differential (ADD) and Rear Differential Lock

• 0-100 km/h: 9.2 seconds

• Top Speed: 180 km/h

• Fuel Tank: 80 Litres

Dimensions, Weight, and Towing

• Length/Width/Height: 5320 mm / 2020 mm / 1880 mm

• Wheelbase: 3085 mm

• Kerb Weight: 2270 kg

• Seating: 5 Persons

• Boot: 1,525 mm Tray Length / 1,540 mm Tray Width cargo box capacity

• Towing: 3500 kg (Braked) / 750 kg (Unbraked)

Wheels and Chassis

• Wheels: 17-inch gloss-black GR-exclusive alloy wheels wrapped in rugged 265/65 R17 All-Terrain tires.

• Suspension: Specialized red KYB monotube shock absorbers and revised front coil springs paired with heavy-duty rear leaf springs (minus the rear stabilizer bar for increased off-road wheel articulation).

• Key Chassis Features: "Wide Tread" chassis architecture extending the track width by 135 mm at the front and 155 mm at the rear compared to core Hilux models, matched with uprated 4-piston fixed front red brake calipers.

Exterior Features

• Styling: Aggressive blacked-out GR mesh front grille featuring prominent capital "TOYOTA" heritage lettering, satin-black wide overfender extensions, integrated heavy-duty steel rock rails/side steps, and unique GR-Sport decals.

• Lights and Body Tech: Smoked dark-appearance LED projector headlamps, matching daytime running lights (DRLs), integrated front LED fog lamps, a gloss-black rear bumper, and dual red powder-coated steel rear recovery points.

Fuel Economy (km/l)

• Combined: 12.3 km/l (approx. 8.1L / 100km)

• Urban: 10.3 km/l

• Highway: 14.1 km/l

• Range: ~980 km per tankful

• Fuel Type: Low-Sulphur Diesel

Offroad Capability

• System Tech: 265 mm ground clearance, 30-degree approach angle, 23-degree departure angle, and an Automatic Limited Slip Differential (Auto-LSD) providing optimal power distribution across low-traction terrain.

• Kenyan Terrain Suitability: Purpose-built for high-speed corrugated tracks, this South African build effortlessly dampens brutal washboard gravel paths across the Maasai Mara or North Eastern corridors while avoiding underbody damage thanks to a standard heavy-duty front aluminum bash plate.

Interior and Features

• Seating/Upholstery: Sporty, heavily bolstered front seats wrapped in a mix of premium leather and synthetic suede accented with red stitching, red seatbelts, and embroidered GR logos on the headrests.

• Infotainment/Audio: 8-inch central touchscreen interface offering full wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone replication, backed by a crisp 6-speaker acoustic setup.

• Comfort/Safety Highlights: Leather-wrapped sports steering wheel with a red center-line marker, aluminum racing pedals, dual-zone climate control, and Toyota Safety Sense featuring Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with steering brake assist, and a 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor (PVM).

Maintenance

• Service Interval: 10,000 km / 12 months

• Annual Costs (Kenya): KSh 65,000 – KSh 115,000

• Parts Availability: Excellent (Shares nearly all core drivetrain and body architecture items with the ubiquitous locally assembled and imported Hilux lines in Nairobi).

• Common Notes: Sitting at 75,000 km, verify that the monotube shocks show no signs of hydraulic fluid leaking; clear out any trail dust accumulating in the rear leaf shackle bushings, and inspect the condition of the drive belts and common-rail fuel line gaskets.

Maintenance Cost Breakdown (75,000 km Mileage Baseline)

Price and Market Info

Summary

The 2022 Toyota Hilux GR Sport 2.8GD-6 stands as an incredibly attractive, robust package for Kenyan buyers seeking a dual-purpose double cabin that dominates both commercial tasks and extreme off-road driving. Its specialized South African suspension build and upgraded 224 hp engine allow it to sail smoothly over degraded local roads where standard pickups struggle with harsh body roll. Given its top-tier trim status and legendary reliability, it retains immense secondary market resale value while delivering some of the lowest running costs in the high-output pickup sector.

Car Rating:

• Performance: 9/10

• Luxury: 7/10

• Technology: 8/10

• Fuel Economy: 8/10

• Maintenance Costs: 9/10

• Value (Kenya): 9/10