The Ford F-150 Raptor started the pickup truck wars by offering an off-road-ready vehicle straight from the dealership floor.

Its smaller brother, the Ford Ranger, would soon follow in its footsteps with a new Raptor model of its own. It would then serve as the yardstick against which other off-road pickup trucks would be measured in its segment.

Many rivals have tried to topple the Ford Ranger Raptor in popularity, with few able to compete at its level, capture an audience.

Also Read: Ranger Raptor rival: 2023 Toyota Hilux GR Sport unveiled in Australia

2023 Toyota GR-S: Toyota's game changer

Enter the 2023 Toyota Hilux GR-Sport; it's the brand’s newest attempt to challenge the Ranger Raptor with a broader body, more aggressive styling, and beefier components underneath. It is currently only available in Australia, where the pickup truck wars are intense.

The Hilux GR Sport is 140 mm wider at the front axle and 155 mm at the rear compared to the stock model. It also is equipped with dedicated monotube shock absorbers, stiffer coil springs, and improved suspension tuning so that it can go toe to toe with the Ranger.

Toyota says the new parts were designed to increase cornering stability and steering response.

The most significant improvement thus far for the 2020 Toyota Hilux GR Sport is its increase in power, as it now makes over 200 PS and 500 Nm of torque.

A turbocharged comparison: 3.0-liter V6 vs. 2.8-liter Inline-4

To keep things fair between the two pickup trucks, we will only compare their Australian models as both the Ranger Raptor and Hilux GR Sport exist in that market. 

This is an apples-to-oranges comparison as the Hilux GR Sport comes with a diesel engine, and the Ranger Raptor comes with a gasoline engine. But these engines are what is available.

The Ranger Raptor comes with a 3.0-liter 32-valve V6 twin-turbo engine that pushes out 397 PS and 583 Nm of torque. It sends power to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Peak horsepower comes in at 5,650 rpm, while peak torque is at 3,500 rpm.

In the case of the 2023 Toyota Hilux GR Sport, it comes with a 2.8-liter 16-valve 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine. It makes 224 PS and 550 Nm of torque, sending power to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Peak horsepower is 3,000 rpm, while peak torque is 2,800 rpm.

Also read: 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor: The ultimate pick-up predator?

So which is better?

Based on the power figures, the Ford Ranger Raptor has a clear advantage, up by 173 PS and 33 Nm of torque. However, it enters peak horsepower much later than the Hilux and is slower to hit its peak torque thanks to its gasoline engine. 

You will need to rev the Ranger Raptor more to get into power and peak torque.

In theory, the Hilux should be quicker as it hits peak torque at lower RPMs but is ultimately outgunned in raw engine output. That 173 PS is noticeable, especially if you are after speed.

Choosing between the two in terms of their engines will depend on your use case. If you prefer the twin-turbo gasoline-powered engine, then the Ranger Raptor is the pickup truck to get. You may not hit peak torque or peak horsepower as early in the rev range as the Hilux, but you know you have it in terms of raw power. 

The 10-speed automatic will be your friend, especially if you want to go for a more frugal drive with the Ranger Raptor, as it will be able to keep you at optimal revs throughout your journey.

Just don't have too much fun with its engine, as you will see your fuel efficiency figures plummet if you drive with a lead foot. This was evident with our test drive of the vehicle, which revealed highway fuel efficiency figures of 10 km/l.

However, if neck-snapping diesel torque is what you are after, the Hilux is the one to go for. It's just as tough as the Ranger Raptor but only has a six-speed automatic. Don't discredit the Hilux just yet as its diesel engine is more efficient than the Ranger's in its stock form. Even with the increase in power, we can expect above 10 km/l figures from the Hilux on the highway.

The Ranger Raptor is our winner for this engine comparison as it not only has more power but has new technology with it as well. Sure, it may not have the best fuel efficiency figures, but it more than makes up for it with its competition-spec Fox shocks and raw engine output. The Ranger Raptor is still marketed as  Ford-built tough, after all. 

So, would you choose the Ford Ranger Raptor or the Toyota Hilux GR Sport when both make it to our shores?