Ford Ranger Raptor vs. Toyota Hilux GR-S: tough truck skirmish

For years, Ford Philippines has dominated the market when it comes to providing a fast and sporty pickup truck. The Blue Oval has achieved the aforementioned with the Ranger Raptor, which is essentially a spiced-up, Baja-spec version of the already off-road-capable Ranger pickup truck. 

Last year, Toyota Motor Philippines finally stepped up to challenge the Ranger Raptor with the Hilux GR-S - an improved version of the Hilux, which touts more power, a more macho exterior design, as well as enhanced off-road capabilities. 

For a time, the Hilux GR-S appeared to have given the Ford-made model a proper challenge. However, with an updated version with a V6 EcoBoost engine launched at the 2024 Philippine International Motor Show, it looks like the Ranger Raptor has been reinforced with more tricks up its sleeve. 

So, how does the current locally available version of the Ford Ranger Raptor compare to the Toyota Hilux GR-S in terms of specifications? Let’s find out here. 

Tale of the Tape

For a clear size comparison between the Ranger Raptor and the Hilux GR-S, here is a table with the two model’s dimensions listed side-by-side: 

Model	Ford Ranger Raptor	Toyota Hilux GR-S
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	5,381x2,028x1,922	5,320x2,020x1,880
Wheelbase (mm)	3,270	3,085
Ground clearance (mm)	272	279
Bed box dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	1,420x1,564x540	1,525x1,540x480

 

Based on the figures above, the Ford Ranger Raptor is the larger pickup truck overall. It also has a lengthier wheelbase compared to the Toyota. 

On the flip side, the Toyota has a marginally higher ground clearance. It also has a longer but narrower cargo bed compared to the Ford model. 

Exterior

As expected from two top-of-the-line pickup truck trims, both the Ranger Raptor and the Hilux GR-S are the most intimidating-looking trims within their respective lineups. The two get widened tracks for a planted stance, chunky haunches, and a lot of design choices to ante up their off-road readiness. 

Specifically, both trucks come with wide grilles, eye-catching LED fixtures, front fog lamps, metal side step boards, and bed liners. Moreover, the two get readily accessible tow points, some measure of underbody protection, and a lot of blacked-out exterior parts. 

Here are other notable exterior features found on both the Ranger Raptor and the Hilux GR-S:

• Assisted tailgate
• Power-folding side mirrors
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• All-terrain tires

The Toyota, however, comes with a single-tip exhaust setup, which is simpler-looking compared to the Ford model’s dual-tip exhausts. Plus, the Ford comes with rain-sensing wipers, which are not available for the Toyota model. 

On one hand, the Hilux GR-S comes straight from the factory with a sports bar for its bed, while the Ranger Raptor does not. 

Interior

As top-spec trims, the Ranger Raptor and Hilux GR-S received stylish and thoroughly modern cabins. Both get a wealth of on-board tech, leather upholstery, and a lot of soft-touch points. 

Concerning screens, however, the Ford gets a 12-inch portrait touchscreen, which is markedly larger compared to the nine-inch display on the Toyota. Both get wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the infotainment system on the Ford is linked to a ten-piece Bang and Olufsen sound system, which is better on paper compared to the six-piece speaker set on the Toyota. 

Additionally, the Ford’s instrument cluster is a sizable 12.4-inch digital display, which is more advanced than the 4.2-inch TFT and analog gauge combo on the Toyota pickup truck. 

On the other hand, the two off-road trucks offer a lot of other techy bits, such as USB ports, smart entry, wireless smartphone charging pad, and 12-volt accessory outlet - among others.

Other notable interior features present in both the Ranger Raptor and Hilux GR-S include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Push-to-start button
• Power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Dual-zone automatic climate control system
• Rear air-conditioning vents
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Drive mode selector
• Electronic parking brake

The Ford Ranger does have some unique bits that are not present inside the Toyota. For one thing, the Blue Oval’s top-spec pickup truck comes with ambient lighting, a digital display strip on top of the dash, and a dial-type selector for its seven drive modes. 

Technology

Concerning standard safety equipment, the two trucks get what buyers should expect from a modern-day vehicle. Both have a total of seven airbags, anti-lock braking, ISOFIX child seat anchors, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree view camera, traction control, stability control, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, and an engine immobilizer - among others. 

The Ranger Raptor adds to the aforementioned with a rollover mitigation system and tire pressure monitoring. 

Reinforcing the said standard safety features for the two trucks are several advanced driver assist systems (ADAS). Present on the two are adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, and lane departure warning. 

The Ford proves to have a more comprehensive ADAS kit with the presence of the following features, which are not present in the Toyota model:

• Evasive steer assist
• Reverse brake assist
• Driver alert system
• Cross-traffic braking assist
• Adjustable speed limiter

Powertrain, chassis

When it comes to powertrains, the Ford Ranger Raptor has two options. The first is the familiar 2.0-liter Biturbo inline-4 diesel, which can put out 207 horsepower (hp) and 500 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. 

The other, newer engine option for the Ford model is a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo EcoBoost gasoline mill with an output of 397 hp and 583 Nm of torque. 

In comparison, the 2.0-liter turbodiesel inline-4 engine on the Hilux GR-S is good for 220 hp and 550 Nm of torque. It is a bit pepper compared to the Ranger Raptor’s diesel version, but the Ranger Raptor’s V6 is far more powerful. 

Both the Ranger Raptor and the Hilux GR-S both come standard with 4x4 drivetrains with locking differentials. The Toyota, however, only gets a rear-locking differential, while the Ford has one for its front and rear. 

Additionally, Ford’s transmission is a more complex 10-speed automatic, while Toyota's is a simpler six-speed automatic. 

Moving on to suspension systems, the Ford Ranger Raptor and the Toyota Hilux GR-S are also quite different. 

Both the inline-4 and V6 trims of the Ford model use a front double-wishbone and rear Watt’s link enhanced by 2.5-inch Fox shocks. The aforementioned promises sharp handling and stability in off-road performance, but it compromises the truck’s payload capacity. 

To be exact, the Ranger Raptor can only carry up to 650 kilograms (kg). The Toyota Hilux GR-S, while sporty, is still capable of functioning as a work truck with its 1,050 kg payload limit. 

Sure, the Toyota also comes with a double-wishbone front suspension, but it uses a simpler but more robust rear leaf spring type suspension paired with a monotube shock absorber. 

For convenience, here is a table listing the engine specifications of the Ranger Raptor 2.0 Biturbo, V6 EcoBoost, and the Toyota Hilux GR-S: 

Model	Ford Ranger Raptor 2.0 Biturbo	Ford Ranger Raptor 3.5 V6 EcoBoost	Toyota Hilux GR-S
Engine	2.0-liter Biturbo inline-4	3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost	2.0-liter inline-4 turbodiesel
Fuel type	Diesel	Gasoline	Diesel
Transmission	10-speed automatic		Six-speed automatic
Horsepower	207	397	220
Torque	500 Nm	583 Nm	550 Nm
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Suspension type	Double wishbone (front), Watt’s Link (rear) with Fox 2.5-inch Fox shocks		Double wishbone with monoshock (front), leaf spring with monoshock (rear)

Price

The Ford Ranger Raptor 2.0 Biturbo is priced at P2.345 million, while the more powerful Ranger Raptor 3.0 V6 EcoBoost retails at P2.739 million. 

The Toyota Hilux GR-S, meanwhile, is available locally for P2.172 million. 

Final thoughts

Per the specifications of the Ranger Raptor and the Hilux GR-S detailed above, it is clear that both are off-road capable trucks offering a reasonable amount of safety and comfort. 

The Ranger Raptor, however, is more for folks who want to go fast on rough terrain, similar to what trophy trucks can do on events like Baja 1000 or Dakar. The Hilux GR-S, on the other hand, can double as an off-roader and a work truck due to its sizable payload capacity. 

Buyers who are seriously considering either of the two pickup truck models, however, should give each ride a test drive. Doing so will provide a better car-buying decision in the end. 

Also read: 

Ford Ranger Raptor: pros and cons

9th PIMS: Ford Ranger Raptor 3.0L V6 enters PH market