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Motoring

Premium pick-up still setting the pace

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Toyota Hilux GR Sport

By Bill McCarthy

The pickup truck market is highly competitive, but one model, the Hilux, has continued to set the standard for over 50 years. The latest makeover introduced a new top-of-the-line model, the GR Sport, which adds premium touches to a vehicle known for its workhorse capabilities.

Toyota emphasizes that the GR Sport is designed for both work and leisure, offering high-quality cabin comfort, safety features, and connectivity options.

The range includes the single cab Active, starting at just over £27k plus VAT, and the more upscale Invincible. Both models are available with either a 201 bhp 2.8-litre engine or a 2.4-litre version, and feature new equipment, improved comfort, and enhanced on and off-road performance.

The latest model boasts a wider track, raised ride height, improved handling, reduced roll angle, and more precise steering response, providing the best driving experience on and off-road. It also features less noise and vibration, as well as revised suspension and brakes for better performance.

From the workmanlike single cab to the five-seater double cab, the range offers various combinations. The high ground clearance and step up to the cabin highlight the vehicle’s off-road capability. The most obvious clue to its off-road capability is the high ground clearance and clearance between wheel and wheel arch and it’s quite a step up to reach the cabin. No mean feat for my 5ft nothing wife.

The new GR Sport model features a sporty and dynamic design, with revised front ends, wheel arch mouldings, fog light surrounds, and specific 18-inch alloy wheel designs. The interior follows a sporty black monochrome theme with red accents, synthetic suede and leather seats, red seatbelts, paddle shifts, and aluminium pedals.

Equipped with the Toyota Smart Connect+ multimedia system, the GR Sport includes an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen display, cloud-based navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system. The interior also features a lockable, cooled glovebox, leather finished steering wheel, and powered windows.

The pickup’s flat bed can accommodate various shapes and sizes, with the ability to carry a full-sized pallet and optional hard top available. The 2,755cc turbodiesel unit provides 201bhp and 500Nm of torque, with the capability to tow loads of up to 3.5 tonnes and a one-tonne minimum payload capacity.

While the pickup’s economy is decent at over 30mpg, its turning circle and handling at speed may not be as impressive. However, it excels off-road with features like increased approach angle, higher ground clearance, and automatic electronic control for better traction and acceleration on low-grip surfaces.

On the road, performance is decent for such a heavy designed to go anywhere.

It can hit 60mph in just over 10 seconds, but economy is surprisingly decent given engine size and overall weight, with around 30mpg, according to WLTP figures. A figure I easily achieved and little more.

The driver can also select Eco and Power settings. Eco mode reduces power consumption for better fuel economy, while power mode initiates a sharper response to enhance the driving experience.

The almost exclusive use of eco mode proved really economical over a prolonged drive.

The turning circle is not fantastic, nor handling at speed, let’s not go there. It is hardly a silent runner with road and wind noise, particularly from the large door mirrors, intrusive at times. However once running, the engine is fairly quiet and refined. The ride, when unladen, is bouncy over rougher surfaces, but perfectly acceptable and smooth over decent surfaces. But it’s by no means uncomfortable thanks to the comfort of the high spec cabin.

The pickup also comes with safety features such as seven airbags, collision warning, traction and stability control, hill start assist, and downhill assist.

Factfile

  • Toyota Hilux GR SPORT DC 2.8D Auto
  • Price: £49,750 (inc VAT)
  • Mechanical: 201hp, 2,755cc four cylinder diesel engine driving all wheels via six-speed auto transmission
  • Max speed: 109mph
  • 0-60mph: 10.7 seconds
  • Combined mpg: 28.5-29.7
  • CO2 emissions: 242-259g/km
  • BiK rating: 37%
  • Insurance group: 45
  • Warranty: 5 years/unlimited miles
Electric/hybrid, Motoring, Toyota

Toyota C-HR

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Crossover offers dramatic styling

By Bill McCarthy

Toyota’s striking mid-level crossover stands out in many ways with its sleek and dynamic shape with sharp creases, angles, high riding stance.  The vehicle has always been stylish, but now the profile is even more dramatic and now features a unique coupe-like silhouette, larger alloy 18-inch alloy wheels and a shortened ‘hammerhead’ frontal design.

If you like gizmos such as flush-fitting door handles, then it has them and it also features full LED headlights with integrated turn indicators and in case you missed it, the model name is integrated into the rear light bar and is illuminated as you start up or switch off.

 Toyota makes much of it being ‘customer-centred’ and includes premium features such as ambient lighting with 64 colour options and a panoramic roof that requires no sunshade  and rear privacy glass.

The cabin feels light and airy robust, high-quality fixtures and fittings and a piano black plastic finish. There are neat chrome finishes and blue strips throughout the cabin to emphasise the car’s eco-friendly nature.

In practical terms, a reasonably spacious 388 litre boot will accommodate most needs.

The line-up includes the latest two litre plug-in hybrid which joins the 1.8 and 2.0-litre models, powered by the fifth generation Toyota full hybrid electric system.  This system delivers a stronger combination of power and efficiency. 

The 1.8 HEV system driven here, boasts an ultra-efficient engine and delivers a powerful total output of 138bhp. Meanwhile, the 2.0-litre hybrid offers an even more engaging driving experience with its higher output of 195bhp.

The electric motor is always in operation and the petrol engine kicks in at any speed, depending on the battery charge and driving conditions. You can monitor your driving performance using the myriad dials and readouts on the 12.3-inch touchscreen, which also controls smartphone connectivity, sound system, and cloud-based navigation. 

A 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display in the binnacle delivers instant information to the driver.

On the road, performance is brisk with the petrol/electric combination delivering decent pace and excellent fuel economy. It accelerates to 60mph in just over 10 seconds, a second quicker than it previous incarnation and the claimed economy of nearly 60mpg, with careful driving, was not far off the mark.

Designed with the European market in its sights, the ride is comfortable with the suspension working efficiently to iron out all but the worst of the lumps and bumps our dismal roads have to offer.

Handling is also decent enough, it’s no performance car after all, but it feels stable with responsive steering.

All models are well-equipped, even the entry-level version, with 17-inch alloy wheels, powered/folding door mirrors with auto-folding function, smart entry, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and automatic wipers.

 Move up the grades and the creature comforts expand, with the likes of a climate control system that incorporates nanoe-X air quality technology to combat viruses, bacteria and odours in the cabin.

 Other advanced features include Toyota Safety Sense, which alerts drivers to potential crashes and provides assistance like autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian recognition. 

Also featured are lane departure alert, traffic sign recognition, auto full-beam headlights, blind spot monitor, cross-traffic alert, and lane change assistance.

Factfile

  • Toyota C-HR Dynamic Hybrid 1.8 CVT
  • Price: £34,685
  • Mechanical: 138bhp, 1,798cc, 4 cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via e-CVT transmission
  • Max speed: 106mph
  • 0-62mph: 10.2 seconds
  • Combined mpg: 58.5
  • Insurance group: 20E
  • CO2 emissions: 108g/km
  • BiK rating: 26%
  • Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles