Toyota Hilux GR-Sport III pricing vs Ranger Tremor, Ranger Wildtrak X, and D-Max V-Cross
Why compare three when four is even better? See here how the specialized Toyota Hilux GR-Sport III compares to two similar offerings from Ford and an Isuzu wildcard when comparing pricing, backup, and the enhanced features of these products.
The third version of Toyota's Hilux GR-Sport brings even more enhancements and changes. Now, you are getting striking looks, and the chassis has been altered to allow the GR-Sport to perform as it looks. This isn't a unique recipe, though; some of the other purveyors of double cab offerings also have something in their portfolio.
Related: Ford Ranger vs Toyota Hilux vs Isuzu D-Max: which one has the lowest running costs?
The Ford Ranger is available in Tremor and Wildtrak X versions, with tweaked suspension geometry. There's the Raptor, too, but because of the radical engine configuration, we're excluding it here. Our outlier is the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross, which has no altered suspension but provides a reference point for the others. The Volkswagen Amarok is also missing a bespoke offering of this sort.
Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 Double Cab 4x4 GR-Sport
Its wide arches immediately distinguish the Hilux GR-Sport, large front grille with Toyota lettering, underbody protection and black 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich All-Terrain tyres.
It is powered by a 165kW and 550Nm 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine and can send power to all four wheels through a 4x4 system with low range. The real party trick is the monotube KYB suspension, which increases the ground clearance and provides improved off-road capabilities. The track is also widened, further enhancing its capabilities and prowess.
All GR-Sport Hiluxes are sold with a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 6-service/90 000 km service plan with service intervals set at every 10 000 km.
Pricing
| Model | Price |
| Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 Double Cab 4x4 GR-Sport | R999 000 |
The winter in the Western Cape has been infamously cold and stormy, but the Dakar-oriented GR-S Hilux is perfectly built to withstand this weather. Where we live, most of the roads aren't tarred, and we have a variety of mountain passes at our disposal. The Van der Stel Pass is our favourite—it's untarred and can get pretty rutted after the rains, but it allows for a spot of spirited driving if you're in the right vehicle.
- Ané Albertse
Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo Double Cab Tremor AWD
The Ford Ranger Tremor and Wildtrak X employ a similar design approach; take the existing model and add some trick bits for those who embrace the outdoors and need a vehicle to match. The Tremor is based on the XLT trim and can be considered an XLT X. It uses a 2.0-litre twin turbo turbodiesel engine that makes 154kW and 500Nm torque. It sends power to all four wheels through an intelligent AWD system with auto setting.
In addition to the usual XLT trimmings and features, it is fitted with Bilstein Position-Sensitive dampers and has a wider track than usual. It also has 17-inch alloy wheels with General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres, Trail Control, and Trail Turn functionality.
The Ranger Tremor is sold with a 4-year/120 000 km warranty and a 6-year/90 000 km service plan that can be unbundled on request to bring the price down even further. Service intervals are at every 15 000 km.
Pricing
| Model | Price |
| Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo Double Cab Tremor AWD | R1 008 000 |
I headed to Legends Adventure Farm & MX Track in Pretoria on a particularly wet and muddy day, where the Tremor came into its own, offering grip, tremendous clearance and almost laughable ease with which it went over and through the off-road environment. The interior looked messy after a day spent in the mud, but a quick rinse at the local carwash proved the benefit of the Tremor's vinyl-covered floor!
- Sean Nurse
Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo Double Cab Wildtrak X AWD
It's a similar recipe for the Wildtrak X, but you get the luxurious leather trimmings and contrast stitching here. You get the same 2.0-litre BiTurbo engine and the same 10-speed gearbox and AWD system. The Wildtrak X adds the Trail Turn and Trail Control functions for enhanced manoeuvrability and off-road capabilities, complemented by the 17-inch alloy wheels and General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres. In addition, the Wildtrak X gets a versatile and functional flexible rack system over the load bin.
The Wildtrak X comes with a 4-year/120 000 km warranty and a 6-year/90 000 km service plan, which can also be unbundled from the package to further reduce the price. Service intervals are the same: 15 000 km.
Pricing
| Model | Price |
| Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo Double Cab Wildtrak X AWD | R1 070 500 |
The X-variant is the only model in the line-up that features seven driving modes, including a Rock Crawl mode, as well as Ford's Trail Turn Assist which works in conjunction with the all-wheel-drive system. Trail Turn Assist can be used in either 4H or 4L, and if you find yourself in a tight spot on a narrow off-road trail, it can reduce your bakkie’s turning circle by up to 25% by applying the brake on the inside of the rear wheel. It works at speeds under 19 km/h.
- Ané Albertse
Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD Double Cab V-Cross 4x4
The D-Max is an anomaly in this lineup as it features no off-road-specific features that you wouldn't find on other 4x4 D-Maxes. Its slightly more affordable pricetag does show how competitively priced the enhanced versions above actually are—premium double cabs are expensive, no two ways about it.
The V-Cross is the range-topping production model (excluding the AT35). It has a 3.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine that produces 140kW and 450Nm torque, sending power to all four wheels through a selectable 4x4 system. The V-Cross model also gets leather upholstery, 18-inch anthracite alloy wheels, a telescopic steering wheel, and the IDAS safety system with semi-autonomous safety features.
The Isuzu D-Max is sold with a standard 5-year/120 000 km warranty and a 5-year/90 000 km service plan. The service intervals are set at 15 000 km.
Pricing
| Model | Price |
| Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD Double Cab V-Cross 4x4 | R925 600 |
While it sounds quite gruff, the 3.0-litre motor in the D-Max performs very well, feeling stronger than its outputs suggest. Combined with a well-calibrated six-speed automatic gearbox, you have a bakkie that feels ready to perform in most areas of its rev range, aside from some perceptible lag from idle. When heading off-road, the drivetrain truly comes into its own, regardless of whether you're in 4H or 4L (low-range) mode; the responsiveness and ability to crawl over obstacles or power through soft sand were impressive.
- Sean Nurse
