Thai-spec Toyota Fortuner GR Sport is one mean SUV

When Toyota Thailand launched the Hilux GR Sport, we expected its SUV twin to get the GR Sport treatment too. But the question is this: would it look like the Fortuner GR Sport launched in Indonesia a few weeks back? Thankfully no; it won't just be a lip kit like the Indonesia-spec model. Instead, it gets a proper makeover, and it's also based on the Fortuner LTD/Legender.

Meet the 2021 Fortuner GR Sport from Thailand.

Like the Hilux, Toyota Thailand gave the Fortuner the GR Sport makeover both inside and out. The exterior features a new front bumper paired with a revised gloss black grille. Other exterior changes on the Fortuner GR Sport include a sporty-looking spoiler, body-colored door handles, and new 20-inch black wheels exclusive to the variant. There are also three colors to choose from – black, red, and white. Overall, the GR Sport exterior makeover made the already mean-looking Fortuner LTD/Legender even more aggressive.

Inside, the cabin adopts a red and black theme, similar to other Gazoo Racing performance models. New sports seats have been fitted, featuring a mix of leather and suede with the GR logo embroidered into the headrests.

In front of the driver sits a new instrument cluster, which shows the GR logo on startup, and a GR badged steering wheel with a center stripe. All chrome accents have also been replaced with smoked silver. Rounding up the changes include the aluminum pedals, GR Sport carpet and matting, and GR Sport start/stop button.

Powering the Fortuner GR Sport is the same 2.8-liter turbo diesel mill. No upgrades were made as it continues to produce 204 PS and 500 Nm torque. In Thailand, the model is exclusively available with a six-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. Toyota Safety Sense is also standard.

Since Toyota Motor Philippines already offers the Vios GR-S in the Philippines, we won't be surprised if they decide to offer the Fortuner GR Sport together with other GR Sport models (Hilux, Yaris, etc.). But the big question is, will we get the Indonesia-spec based on the standard Fortuner model or the Thailand-spec based on the LTD/Legender?

If we had to choose, we like the Thailand-spec Fortuner GR Sport better. What about you? Let us know in the comments.