The Toyota Hilux is South Africa’s undisputed favorite bakkie. The addition of the Legend badge makes it much more sought-after.
Picture: Equipped
After months of Web debate on what the most recent within the Legend sequence of bakkies would supply when it comes to styling and spec, many had hoped it could get the Hilux GR-S widebody and the additional energy.
We will lastly say that the Toyota Hilux Legend 55 has made its much-anticipated public debut. However not with a widebody or 165kW of energy.
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has over time launched a number of special-edition Hilux fashions that mark necessary milestones within the bakkie’s journey.
The Legend 35 in 2004 was the primary, adopted by the Legend 40 in 2010, the Legend 45 in 2014, and the Legend 50 in 2019.
Every version carried the Hilux story ahead, combining confirmed toughness with enhancements that mirrored the desires of South African drivers on the time.
The identical, however really completely different
Quick ahead to 2025 and I’m merely going to place it to you prefer it was put to us by the Toyota execs on the bakkie’s media launch occasion final month.
TSAM desperately needed a extra bespoke, dare I say, aggressive Legend 55 as a ultimate swansong earlier than the brand new Toyota Hilux arrives someday subsequent yr.
However world demand for the Hilux GR-S stays excessive. Which means the broader rear axle and widebody package used for this bakkie is just not available for us to make use of in South Africa for what’s a homegrown, native solely, particular version.
So, what do you get with the brand new Toyota Hilux Legend 55?
On the surface you could have Legend 55 badging, a protecting entrance bash plate, branded styling bar, a safe lockable curler shutter, removable tow bar, rubberised load bin, a shark-fin antenna, plus decorative roof rails and brand projection welcome puddle lights.
Straightforward-open tailgate
You additionally get central locking for the tailgate and tailgate help, which in easy phrases implies that while you open the load bin, the tailgate doesn’t slam open as a result of it weighs greater than the bakkie itself.
Ending off the outside is Gloss Black therapy for the Legend 55-specific entrance grill, rear view mirror caps, rear bumper, door handles, over fenders, and the alloy wheels.
Transferring into the cabin, the Hilux Legend 55 presents chrome-branded scuff plates, heavy-duty rubber floormats, sport seats with Legend 55 embroidered headrests, and a Legend 55 plaque within the centre console. For the remaining, it’s just about Toyota Hilux as you realize it.
Which implies an analogue instrument cluster, 8” touchscreen multimedia system geared up with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a premium nine-speaker JBL audio set-up.
No surprises up entrance
Hitting the highway, you could have the tried and examined 2.8ℓ GD-6 turbodiesel doing responsibility, and that is paired with Toyota’s six-speed computerized transmission.
Producing 150kW of energy and 500Nm, the engine is as much as the duty.
Clearly the tweaked 165kW/550Nm powerplant from the GR-S would have been nicer. However it’s what it’s! For the remaining, the Hilux Legend 55 drives like a Hilux and seems like a Hilux on the highway.
What’s the decision?
Not so brash and bullish as you thought it could be. However will the Toyota Hilux Legend 55 promote? To coin a phrase used within the advertising campaigns of the Toyota Hilux, “After all it can.”
Legend 55 pricing
2.8 GD-6 Xtra Cab AT R728 300
2.8 GD-6 4×4 Xtra Cab AT R813 700
2.8 GD-6 Double Cab AT R885 700
2.8 GD-6 4×4 Double Cab AT R935 900
Pricing features a 9 providers/90 000km service plan and three-year/ 100 000km guarantee.
