Toyota Hilux Takes Aim At Ford Ranger Super Duty With Cheaper Heavy-Duty Upgrade

Toyota's Factory-Built HD Pickup

Among all the full-size pickup manufacturers in the U.S., Toyota is the only one that doesn't build a heavy-duty version. Elsewhere around the world, though, it has the long-running Land Cruiser 70 Series to cover for that. Granted, it's not a full-size truck, but its payload and towing capacity can match some much bigger ones. Toyota also has its Hino division to focus on haulers.

That said, Ford rolled out the Ranger Super Duty for select markets. It's the first modern midsize pickup to get a heavy-duty version, and Toyota has, indeed, noticed. To counter that, the Japanese automaker has revealed a factory upgrade package to match Ford's offering.

The Heavy Duty Hilux

The Hilux isn't sold in the U.S. or Canada, but for those into cars, it's impossible not to know this model. It is, after all, Toyota's best-selling pickup in the world, and it also happens to be the world's best-selling pickup of 2025. Imagine just how much more Toyota could sell if it sold this instead of the Tacoma.

Australia is a key market for the Hilux; hence, the heavy-duty package was developed there. Dubbed the GVM Upgrade Option, it's meant to supplement the 70 Series Land Cruiser pickup (or ute, in Aussie speak), which starts close to 80,000 Australian dollars (AUD) or about $57,000. For reference, a base Hilux starts at around 34,000 AUD or approximately $24,000.

As the Hilux is also often used for jobsites and hauling in Australia, the addition of a heavy-duty package makes sense. This should make acquiring a fleet of pickups for the worksite more streamlined, as there's little need for aftermarket upgrades.

How Much Can it Tow and Haul?

With the GVM package, the Hilux has an increased payload capacity of up to 3,360 lbs. While it doesn't match the supersized heavy-duty trucks from America, the much smaller Hilux GVM can actually carry more than most full-size pickups. Towing capacity remains unchanged at 7,700 lbs, which is still more than a Tacoma's.

Of course, that's thanks to beefier suspension components, including longer shock absorbers, at the rear axle. The suspension upgrades also raise the pickup's ground clearance above that of standard models. Axle capacities were also increased to handle the additional demands of heavy-duty pickup work. Its 2.8-liter turbodiesel doesn't receive any upgrades, so power remains at 201 hp and 369 lb-ft.

Admittedly, though, the upgrades still don't match those of the Ranger Super Duty. That one has a payload capacity of 4,370 lbs and can tow up to 9,920 lbs. Also, the Ranger has a 3.0-liter V6 diesel with 207 hp and 443 lb-ft. But the Hilux GVM's trump card is its price.

Undercutting the Ranger Super Duty

The GVM package adds 4,000 AUD (approx. $2,900) to the Hilux's base price. It's only for select trims and configurations, and it can't be applied to the most basic Hilux in the range. Carsguide reckons the lowest-priced Hilux GVM will set punters back 56,490 AUD, or just over $40,000.

Either way, it's still way less than the most basic Ranger Super Duty. The Ford has a base price of 82,990 AUD ($59,200), and you'll have to pay 89,990 AUD ($64,200) for four full-size doors. With that much of a price gap between the two, one can say that the Toyota is worth considering, even with lower capacities.

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This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 8:30 AM.