Toyota HiLux comparing the 2025 grades with Jon Wimhurst

This week, we caught up for a chat with Jon Wimhurst, one of our experienced Toyota new car specialists, to dive into the details of the Toyota HiLux range. From the dependable Workmate to the off-road-ready GR Sport, Jon shared his insights into what makes each grade unique and how they cater to the diverse needs of HiLux drivers. Whether you're after a tough workhorse, a versatile all-rounder, or a stylish ute for weekend adventures, there's a HiLux to suit every lifestyle.

Jon has been with Downtown Toyota for an impressive 25 years and first joined Toyota back in 1986. Ready to explore the Toyota HiLux range? Read through our interview below and chat with Jon today to find the perfect fit for you!

The HiLux comes in a range of grades, from the Workmate to the GR Sport. How would you describe the differences between them?

Jon Wimhurst:I think you’d have to say it’s like most model ranges—you’ve got your base, middle, top, and exclusive options. The Workmate is your starting point and has been around forever. It used to be called the “Grinner,” and I say this jokingly, but it feels like it’s been around for 4,000 years! In fact, the HiLux’s reputation dates back to the 60s. I remember my dad had a model called the Stout, which was probably one of the very first HiLuxes, decades ago. The Workmate is your workhorse—that’s probably the easiest way to explain it.

Your next step up is the SR, which can still be a workhorse but starts to move into the “I can take people with me” territory, especially if you’ve got the dual-cab version. Then there’s the SR5, which is more of an all-rounder. It’s got more features, more appointments, and it’s the kind of vehicle you can use for everything. You can work during the week, use it on weekends, pick up the kids, do the shopping—whatever you need.

Then you’ve got the exclusive models, like the Rogue and the GR Sport.

What makes the Workmate stand out for its audience?

Jon Wimhurst:I think your Workmate is going to be your tradie car. And I know that’s a generalisation, but that’s primarily what it becomes—a single-cab chassis. There is the option of a dual-cab pickup, but we find that, with the Workmate, it’s more often the single-cab chassis. You’re putting an alloy tray or a steel tray on the back, maybe adding ladder racks if you need them. It becomes the car your painters, plasterers, construction workers, and general tradespeople are going to use.

It’s not just a base truck anymore, though. You’ve got power windows, mirrors, central locking, and lane departure. It’s a bit more of a comfortable place to be compared to the original Workmate. Years ago, it was wind-down windows and didn’t have much, but, boy, could it do the job.

What makes the SR stand out for its audience?

Jon Wimhurst:The SR is a step up in grade. When I say that, you’ve got to think about the Workmate in its base format. It’s the only model in the HiLux range now that comes with a petrol engine—the 2.7-litre petrol. There’s also the option of a 2.4-litre diesel.

When you move to the SR, you’re instantly stepping into the 2.8-litre diesel engine, which is used across the rest of the HiLux range, as well as in the Fortuner, Prado, and HiAce. It becomes the standard engine for the higher-grade models. You get more power, more torque, and a bit better fuel economy, because the engine doesn’t have to work as hard. Not that the Workmate’s 2.4 diesel struggles—it’s a strong little motor—but the SR’s 2.8 just offers more.

In terms of features, you’ve got more going on with the SR. And while the Workmate also offers two-wheel and four-wheel drive options, the SR is where that four-wheel-drive journey really starts. For most people, it’s the point where they decide: do I need it as a two-wheel drive, or do I need it as a four-wheel drive? The SR is more geared towards those four-wheel-drive capabilities.

What makes the SR5 stand out for its audience?

Jon Wimhurst:When you get to the SR5, you’ve got nicer alloy wheels. Specifically, let’s focus on the dual cab, because that’s primarily what people go for at the SR5 level. You’ve got black handles, black mirrors, and you’re adding features like satellite navigation and carpets.

You also get the 360-degree cameras in this model. These give you a top-down view of the car as well as the standard reversing camera, so it’s easier to gauge where you’re parking—whether it’s fitting into a tight spot or just getting a better view around the vehicle. There’s also Blind Spot Monitors, and front and rear parking sensors.

I hesitate to use the word “luxury,” but it’s definitely the more luxurious step in the dual-cab range. It’s the kind of vehicle that people can use for just about everything, and in many cases, it might never even see a worksite. Some people choose the SR5 simply because they like the way it looks and what it offers.

It’s a vehicle that’s versatile enough to handle camping trips, carrying all the gear you need for fishing or boating, but it lets you do those things with a bit more style and comfort. There’s also the option of adding leather seats with heated fronts, which takes it a step further in terms of refinement.

At this level, you’re not just getting a ute for practicality—you’re getting one that caters to lifestyle as well. It might be the vehicle you choose just because it fits your personality or the image you want. Whether you’re loading it up with camping gear or just enjoying it as a family car, the SR5 offers a combination of functionality and a touch of sophistication that appeals to a wide range of buyers.

You’ve even got the option of leather seats with heated fronts, which adds a bit more style and comfort. It’s that step up that lets you do all those things, but with a bit more ease and refinement.

What makes the Rogue stand out for its audience?

Jon Wimhurst:The Rogue is one of my favourites. And, I know this might sound a bit nerdy, but it’s the details that really make it stand out. For starters, the Rogue comes with marine-grade carpet inside the tub, which is such a step up from having bare metal. In the other models, people often choose to add a ute liner—a hard plastic Toyota accessory we install to protect the paintwork inside the tub. But with the Rogue, you’re already getting that marine-grade carpet, which gives it a premium feel.

You also get an electric roller cover instead of having to add a tonneau cover, which is another nice feature that comes standard. I just think that’s a really cool touch—it’s practical and adds a sense of convenience. On the exterior, you get a formed rear sports-line bar, which runs from the back window down to the tray area. This is different from the SR5, which has a 76mm black sports bar with more of an alloy-style shape.

The Rogue also has wider arches and slightly different wheels, which give it a bolder stance. On the inside, you’ll notice changes as well, like a different dash layout and black headlining and trim, rather than the light-to-mid-grey colour you find in other models. It’s just a different-looking car overall—it says, "I want something that stands out but still does everything a HiLux should do."

What’s the type of customer who typically goes for the Rogue? What’s their lifestyle like?

Jon Wimhurst:I think Rogue buyers are looking for something that’s a mix of work and play, but probably leaning more towards the play side. It’s for the person who wants a HiLux because they need the utility of a ute, but also want something that looks stylish and has a bit more presence on the road.

They might need to carry gear for work or hobbies, and with the electric roller cover, everything’s protected and locked away. At the same time, it’s great for family life—taking the kids to sport, going away for the weekend, or just general everyday use. The Rogue is versatile enough to handle all of that while still offering that touch of style and comfort.

What makes the GR Sport stand out for its audience?

Jon Wimhurst:The GR is a newer addition to the lineup—it’s only been out for about a year and a half. It gets a little extra power thanks to modifications under the engine that give it more torque and a slight boost in power.

What really sets it apart, though, is the suspension. It’s completely different from the other models. This car actually starts as an SR5 when it arrives in the country, and then it’s sent to our factory in Melbourne, where it’s converted into a GR. The same process happens with the Rogue, but for the GR, the focus is on upgrading the suspension.

It comes with an open back—no covers—although you can order tonneau covers, soft tonneau covers, and so on if you want to add them. The suspension is a heavier grade and is absolutely designed for more serious off-road work. You’re also getting different wheels and tyre sets that are built for that kind of rugged use.

At the same time, it’s still a smooth-driving car on the road. With the extra power and the upgraded suspension, it’s seamless to drive, whether you’re on the highway or tackling rougher terrain. The GR Sport is really for those who want something that can handle off-road adventures but still delivers a great on-road experience.

Which HiLux grade is your personal favourite, and why?

Jon Wimhurst:It’s the Rogue. I just love the way the Rogue looks. It’s the flared arches, the slightly wider stance—it just has a presence about it. And it’s not a major body change; it’s the addition of the flares and details like the roller cover and the interior touches.

The fact that it comes with leather seats as standard really adds to the appeal for me. I mean, I love the SR5, and I love the HiLux range as a whole, but if you’re asking about my personal favourite, it’s absolutely the Rogue.

Have you had any memorable experiences helping a customer pick the right grade?

Jon Wimhurst:Yeah, one that stands out. A customer of mine bought an SR5 from me, but about 18 months into ownership, it was written off in an accident—not his fault. Luckily, through Toyota insurance, he had a new-for-old replacement policy.

He said to me, "The insurance company’s going to contact you, and I just want the same thing again." At the time, though, there was a delay on a couple of parts for SR5s, and if you ordered one, the wait time was nearly six months, which can still happen.

So, I told him, "Look, I know it’s going to mean you’ll have to put some money in out of your own pocket, but come and let me show you a Rogue. I’ve got one here, and I think it might be a better step up based on what you do."

He owns a construction company, but he’s not so much on the tools anymore—he’s more in a supervisory or management role. I showed him through the Rogue, and he said, "Yep, let’s look at that. I think that’s a better option."

I gave him one of ours for the weekend to take home and see if he liked the differences between his previous SR5 and the Rogue. He ended up saying to the insurance company, "Yep, you guys give me the part that you’re allowed, and the extra amount is ABC dollars, and I’ll put that in myself."

He’s happier than ever with his choice, and that’s definitely one that sticks with me.

Which HiLux accessories are your favourites, and why?

Jon Wimhurst:I think most customers I talk to, if they’re going down the HiLux road—especially with a single-cab chassis or a dual-cab chassis—the first two HiLux accessories they’ll need are a tray and a tow bar. Those are typically the essentials. For single-cab or dual-cab chassis models, you’ve got to put a tray on it, so then it comes down to the choice: Do I need an alloy tray, or do I want a colour-coded steel tray?

A steel tray is more expensive, but it offers more options. Heavy-duty alloy trays have a strong floor and are built for carrying heavier loads, but a steel tray is more resilient in its overall performance and can look nicer if colour-coded to the car. That said, you do run the risk of paint scratches with a colour-coded steel tray—it’s just something you can’t avoid.

When it comes to four-wheel drives, nudge bars and bull bars are common choices, depending on what the car’s role is going to be. For customers using their HiLux for work and off-road adventures, a bull bar with a winch setup can be invaluable. It gives them the ability to get themselves—or someone else—out of tight spots.

I’ve had customers who head out bush a lot, and they’ll go for a bull bar with side rails. These side rails run from the bull bar down the sides of the car, giving extra protection when they’re off-roading in more rugged conditions.

There’s a raft of options. You’ve got things like full bars, light bars, bonnet protectors, headlight covers, weather shields—those sorts of things.

All Toyotas now come with floor mats as standard, but the type depends on the grade. For example, in the SR5, Rogue, and GR, you’ll get carpet mats as standard. But I’ve had customers who’ll order a set of rubber mats as well.

One customer comes to mind—when the weather gets bad, like with all the rain we’ve had recently, he’ll take out his carpet mats and leave them in the garage, swapping them for the rubber mats. That way, he doesn’t track mud and dirt through the car when he’s in and out in wet or muddy conditions.

There’s so much you can do with HiLux accessories—it really depends on how the customer plans to use the car.

Ready To Explore What The Toyota Hilux Has For You?

We want to take a moment to thank Jon Wimhurst for sharing his invaluable insights into the Toyota HiLux range. With 25 years at Downtown Toyota and a passion for helping customers find their perfect vehicle, Jon’s knowledge and dedication shine through in every interaction.

If you’re considering a Toyota HiLux or just want to learn more about what makes each grade unique, Jon is the person to speak to. He’s got 39+ five star reviews on Google and his deep understanding of the HiLux range and commitment to delivering exceptional service make him an outstanding resource for all things Toyota.

Ready to explore the HiLux range and find the right fit for your needs? Contact Jon directly at Downtown Toyota today and experience firsthand the expertise and care that comes with working with one of our most experienced specialists.

About Jon Wimhurst

I’ve been with Brisbane’s Downtown Toyota car dealership for 25 years, but my journey with Toyota started much earlier. I began working with the brand in Sydney in 1986 when I was just 16 years old. After some time away from the industry, during which I pursued opportunities overseas, I returned to the Toyota fold in 1999 at another dealership before joining Downtown Toyota—and I’ve been here ever since.

I’m incredibly passionate about Toyota. I truly believe it’s one of the best brands on the road in its class. The quality, durability, and reliability of Toyota vehicles are why the company has become the world’s leading manufacturer. For me, it’s about having faith and trust in the product I offer to customers. Whether it’s a $30,000 vehicle or a $170,000 Tundra, I need to know it will do the job it’s meant to do—getting you where you need to go and bringing you back safely.

I’m a self-proclaimed "mad Toyota passionate person," and I take pride in my deep knowledge of the vehicles I sell. Helping people find the perfect car is not just my job—it’s something I genuinely enjoy doing every day.