Toyota Hilux GR-Sport III vs Ford Ranger Wildtrak X vs Isuzu D-Max AT35: Here's our winner!

Now and then, the aftermarket scene influences what the manufacturers produce. Aftermarket accessories and modifications to double cab bakkies have shown the likes of Ford, Toyota, and Isuzu that their wares can be improved on, especially when the intended use is a little more extreme than the manufacturers originally anticipated. This has given birth to the Toyota Hilux GR-Sport and its two nearest rivals: the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X and the Isuzu Arctic Trucks AT35.

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These three products offer a beefed-up suspension, improved standard fitment wheels and tyres, and a few other enhancements that make them better suited to the rough stuff, be that work or play. Before you cry out about the Ranger Raptor, all three of these products below still run a standard engine configuration. In contrast, the Raptor adds suspension and engine enhancements (as a turbocharged V6 petrol engine).

Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 Double Cab 4x4 GR-Sport (GR-S III)

Price: R999 900

Powertrain

The Toyota Hilux GR-S is powered by the same 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine found in several other Hiluxes and even Land Cruisers. It produces 165kW and a stout 550Nm, making it the most powerful of the three. This power is sent to all four wheels through a selectable 4x4 system with 2-High, 4-High, and 4-Low Range drivetrain selections through a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

The claimed combined fuel consumption for this combination is 8.7 L/100km.

Standard Equipment

The core of the Hilux GR-Sport is largely unchanged from what you will get in other top-spec Hiluxes, so instead of rattling off all the features, here's what the GR-Sport package adds to the recipe and how things have been changed to enhance the final product.

• Front track widened by 140 mm, rear track widened by 155 mm
• KYB Monotube shock absorbers
• Wide body kit
• 17-inch alloy wheels with 265/65R17 BF Goodrich All-Terrain tyres
• Mesh front grille with Toyota wording
• GR-specific front bumper
• Side steps
• Silver front underbody guard
• GR instrumentation
• Aluminium pedals
• 8-inch infotainment screen
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 9-speaker JBL audio system

Safety

The Hilux GR-Sport has robust safety features, including 7 airbags, lane departure warning, and park distance control with a reverse camera. It has ISOFIX mountings in the rear and automatic headlight activation.

Practicality

Altering the suspension often affects a vehicle's payload capabilities. The Hilux GR-Sport's payload is rated at 790 kg—15 kg up from a comparable, non-GR-Sport Hilux. The GR-Sport is also rated to tow 750 kg unbraked and 3 500 kg braked.

Price and Value

At what is nearly R1 million, the Hilux GR-Sport is on the pricey end of the spectrum and is the most expensive Hilux one can buy. The R90 000 premium is justifiable for the changes and enhancements. The Hilux is the cheapest of the three compared here.

Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo Double Cab Wildtrak X 4WD

Price: R1 040 600

Powertrain

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is powered by the twin-turbo 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine found in similar Wildtrak, Tremor, and XLT trims. This unit produces 154kW and 500Nm and sends power to all four wheels through an intelligent all-wheel drive system with selectable drive modes, including Automatic selection. It does this through a 10-speed automatic gearbox.

Ford claims that you should be able to see a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 7.5 L/100km from the Wildtrak X.

Standard Equipment

Again, the Wildtrak X builds on the Wildtrak formula by adding a few changes and extras best suited to the outdoor lifestyle.

• Track widened by 30 mm
• Ride height increased by 26 mm
• Bilstein shock absorbers
• 17-inch alloy wheels with 265/70R17 General Grabber AT3 tyres
• Off-road grille
• Cast alloy side steps
• Steel underbody protection
• Flexible Rack System
• Trail Turn Assist
• Trail Control
• 12-inch infotainment screen
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 6-speaker B&O audio system

Safety

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak has a comprehensive array of safety systems, including 7 airbags, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. Rear cross-traffic alert and auto braking, along with a 360-degree camera, help you in and around parking lots. There are ISOFIX mountings in the rear for child seats, the Matrix LED features auto high beam and automatic activation, and the Ranger has auto wipers as well.

Practicality

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X can handle a slightly heavier load, with a payload rating of 966 kg, 20 kg up on the regular Wildtrak. It's rated to tow 750 kg unbraked and 3 500 kg braked. The rear bed design allows it to accommodate a full-size Euro pallet.

Price and Value

The middle child in this comparison, the Wildtrak X, retails for R1 040 600, R41 600 more than the Hilux GR-Sport and R86 800 more than the traditional Wildtrak with the same engine configuration. The bump in payload and the addition of Trail Turn Assist and Trail Control certainly make up for this bump in price, especially if you're looking to explore the length and breadth of the country.

Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD double cab AT35 4x4

Price: R1 182 100

Powertrain

Underneath the bonnet of the AT35 is the 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel unit that you will find in the top-of-the-range V-Cross. Producing 140kW and 450Nm torque, the AT35 sends power to all four wheels through a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

The claimed combined cycle fuel consumption is touted to be 8.5 L/100km.

Standard Equipment

Arctic Trucks, a specialized LCV transformation company and outfitter, has given the production D-Max V-Cross its special treatment. As such, it has the following additions and changes.

• Increased ride height by 50 mm
• Wide body arches
• 17-inch alloys with 35 x 12.50 Maxxis All-Terrain tyres
• Uprated Bilstein suspension
• Extended side steps
• Embroidered AT35 logos on seats
• 9-inch infotainment system
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 8-speaker audio system

Safety

The AT35 doesn't shortchange you on the safety front. It has 8 airbags, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. It also has auto lights and wipers, ISOFIX mountings in the rear, and high beam assist.

Practicality

The AT35 is the only one of these three that loses out in the payload area. Its payload rating drops to 660 kg from the standard 970 kg. However, it can still tow 750 kg unbraked and 3 500 kg braked.

Price and value

The Isuzu D-Max AT35 is not cheap. It is closer to the Ford Ranger Raptor price but without the powertrain enhancements. The AT35 will cost you R1 182 100. The lack of interior enhancements also makes it a tougher sell than the other two.

Verdict

While the Hilux is both the cheapest and the most powerful, the holistic approach to the Wildtrak X makes it our winner. Not only has the suspension been enhanced, but features like Trail Turn Assist and Trail Control make the entire package worth the small premium, especially if you're serious about your off-road adventures. The latest generation Ranger is also a well-thought-out offering with many modern conveniences that leave the Hilux recipe a little dated.