Launch Drive: Toyota Hilux Legend 55 is a fitting swansong to the current generation

The Toyota Hilux has been around for 56 years, leading the market for most of that time and the current generation continues to outsell every other vehicle on the market despite having been around since 2016.

This solid and dependable bakkie has a recipe for success that makes other manufacturers green with envy, with only Ford’s sophisticated Ranger coming anywhere close to it on the sales charts.

But as I mentioned, the current Hilux is getting on in life, and company representatives revealed to us, on the launch of the Legend 55 special edition, that the new-generation model is due in 2026 (read more about it here), although it could be later rather than earlier in the year.

The new Legend 55 might be a year late, with the Hilux turning 56 this year, but it is a fitting swansong to the current generation.

South African bakkie buyers love a special edition, and Toyota has been producing these anniversary themed specials every five or so years since the Legend 35 of 2004.

The Legend 55 is available in Xtra Cab and Double Cab formats, with the former costing R728,300 in 4x2 guise and R813,700 as a 4x4, while the four-door equivalents command R885,700 and R935,900 respectively.

Replacing the regular Legend variants until 2026, the new edition is more than just a collection of stickers and chrome garnishes.

On the outside, the Legend 55 can be told apart by its all-black grille and matching wheel arch mouldings as well as a unique front bash plate, 18-inch alloy wheels nicked from the Fortuner, and plenty of Legend 55 badges.

There are functional additions too, such as a lockable roller shutter, rubberised load box, branded styling bar and detachable tow bar. The Double Cab version also features a branded puddle light.

Sadly the wide-body kit that was shown on the prototype that Toyota SA revealed at the State of the Motor Industry event (SOMI) earlier this year is not present on the showroom model. This, they apologetically stated, was because not enough axle kits are available internationally, due to the popularity of the GR-S.

Interior gets more flash, but showing its age

The cabin of the Legend 55 features sports seats with ‘Legend 55’ branding, heavy-duty rubber floor mats and unique chrome scuff plates.

Standard equipment includes a very decent JBL nine-speaker sound system, but other than that the Hilux cabin is really showing its age.

Apart from the outdated cockpit design, which includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen that’s not neatly integrated into the dashboard, the Hilux lacks features such as full wireless phone integration, with the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay being of the wired variety, and you won’t find other modern niceties such as wireless phone charging pads or digital instrumentation. Not that the latter is really a bad thing, as there is one less thing that can go wrong with this solid and dependable package.

Overall specification remains competitive though, with standard features including leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and driver assist gizmos such as adaptive cruise control, pre-crash system and lane-keeping system.

What’s it like to drive the Legend 55?

With a launch route taking us on a 700km route from Qgeberha to George via Graaf Reniet, Oudshoorn and the Outenique pass, we certainly got well acquainted with the Hilux Legend 55.

All versions are powered by the familiar 2.8-litre DG-6 turbodiesel engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Through a variety of conditions, including mountain passes, the engine provided decent performance and enough oomph to overtake, within reason. Consumption was a little on the high side at a shade over 11 litres per 100km, although in fairness we were hardly driving economy-run-style.

The Hilux’s ride quality is perhaps not as plush as that of the Ranger, but it is certainly acceptably comfortable by bakkie standards, as are overall levels of noise insulation. My driving partner and I did not feel too fatigued after our long driving stretches, and the only slight discomfort for me was the tight upper bolsters of the sports seats, which pinched my back a bit.

While not the most modern of bakkies, the Hilux remains a solid and dependable winning formula for Toyota South Africa, and the new Legend 55 Edition adds some extra spice to the current generation as it drives into the sunset.

IOL Motoring