If there is one Hilux variant that stands out among the eight currently available in the PH market, it is (without a doubt) the range-topping GR Sport (GR-S) with its blend of linear design, machismo, and performance that lives up to the nameplate’s astonishing 58-year legacy.

‘Pogi’ (handsome) is the first word I hear from anyone I ask about the Hilux GR-S. And even if it was launched in 2021, I still caught strangers gawking at this test unit as if they were seeing it for the very first time. Perhaps they really are because its P2.460-million price point makes it more eye-catching than its Conquest stablemate.

If you settle for a lower Hilux trim level, you will miss a few notable exterior features. The most salient of all are the flared fenders. It is an aesthetic piece that adds muscle to its looks, protects the bodywork against debris, and allows you to swap in wider tires. You just got to be extra mindful when passing along narrow roads and around tight turns because it does add a few inches to the truck’s overall width. Other GR-S exclusives include the GR-specific grille with ‘TOYOTA’ spelled out in the middle instead of the emblem, blacked-out exterior mirrors and door handles, 18-inch GR-design alloy wheels, red brake calipers and suspension, and a stylishly subtle sports bar. This eighth-generation model is already 11 years old, a classic in automotive terms, and yet, the Hilux GR-S’s looks can still give the newer Raptors and Tritons a good fight in a beauty contest.

The all-black cabin is gorgeous. It features suede-leather seat upholstery, a combination of leather and carbon-fiber-like trim on the door panels, and a multi-level dashboard. In front of the driver is a leather multi-function steering wheel and a vivid 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster. Above the center stack is a nine-inch colored touchscreen audio display with Apple CarPlay and six speakers. The outdated design of the cockpit makes the layout appear cluttered, especially with the addition of modern features such as a wireless charger and USB ports. Surprisingly, there are still plenty of holders for small items, including a mini cooler above the glove compartment. I love how the bucket-type front seats cradle the body perfectly. It felt like a better fit than other trucks I have driven. The red seatbelts are a huge plus. Sitting on an old platform, with the addition of some new equipment, the interior space is limited, far less than newer rivals.

Under the hood is Toyota’s tried-and-tested 2.8-liter 1GD-FTV turbodiesel, which sends 224-horsepower and 550-Nm of torque to a 4x4 drive layout via a six-speed automatic transmission. It’s more than what you need in the city and over expressways, but you’ll need every bit of it, including its rear locking differential over rough terrain. Except for the Raptor, it probably has the sweetest engine notes of any compact pickup truck in the market right now. Over seven days, in mostly city driving, I picked up 9.2-km/l.

The only well-known handicap of the Hilux is its stiff suspension. Coming from a Navara, the difference is night and day. Riding alone, minor road imperfections turn into undulations in the Hilux GR-S like you’re gliding over small waves. It’s the kind of jiggling you can live with, and fortunately, it doesn’t get any worse over potholes.

Even if it’s getting long in the tooth, the Hilux GR-S sports the marque’s advanced driver-assist system called Toyota Safety Sense. Drivers can feel more confident knowing it has Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Last year, the ninth-generation debuted in Thailand, and experts expect it to launch in the Philippines anytime soon. The diesel model will still be powered by Toyota’s 1GD-FTV engine, but Filipino buyers have the option to purchase the battery-electric variant. Whether you’re holding off until the 2026 model arrives or prefer the current look, I don’t think you can go wrong with a Hilux. And if the budget allows, I highly recommend the variant that epitomizes all of this truck’s best qualities: the GR Sport.