Driven | Toyota Hilux Legend 55
TOYOTA HILUX LEGEND 55
Today, we’re locking in on a certified icon: the Toyota Hilux Legend 55. This is the big boss, the last iteration of this current generation before the completely redesigned Hilux hits the streets. The timeline is shifting, but the real question is do you hold out for the upcoming release, or do you secure the bag and iconic status of this piece of history right now?
The Exterior: Sand Beige Swagger
First things first, we have to talk about the paint. This Sand Beige colour is stunning. It demands respect, turns heads, and sparks conversations everywhere you go.
Up front, the Legend 55 ditches the soft, modern curves for something protruding and aggressive. You get that gloss black Legend grille, backed up by front parking sensors. Down below? Bash plates. Because this is a rig you can confidently throw into the bundus.
Lighting: Full LED daytime running lights, headlights, and fog lights.
Profile: Gloss black accents continue along the sides, sitting on 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tyres. You’ve got side steps, roof rails, and gloss black mirrors with integrated indicators.
The Rear End: You get a legendary sports bar proudly rocking the "Legend 55" badge, a manual roller shutter to lock up your goods, and a heavy-duty tow bar. What's cool is you can lock and unlock the bakkie bed directly from your key fob. I’m a big fan of old-school rugged designs, and this Hilux pulls it off flawlessly.
The Interior: The Good, The Bad, and The Plastic
Let’s keep it a hundred. While the exterior is undeniably showstopping, stepping inside the Legend 55 feels like stepping back in time. We’ve been letting Toyota get away with this outdated, plasticky interior for way too long. Why? Because the mechanics are bulletproof. Still, there are some major highlights and a few undeniable misses.
The Highlights: The JBL Sound System: Absolute fire. The bass is deep, the speakers are crisp, and it’s fully compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Cooler Box: The top cubby hole is climate-controlled. Flick a vent, and the AC pumps cold air right onto your drinks.
The Bear Lock: Theft is always a worry with a Hilux, so this model features an old-school mechanical gear lock. Lock it up with the physical key, and nobody is shifting that gearbox. Peace of mind: secured.
Legendary Touches: Legend 55 embossed headrests front and back, and practical, easy-to-clean rubberized floor mats.
The Misses: The Tech & Materials: It’s severely lacking modern touches. You get hard plastics, manual climate control knobs, the traditional Toyota digital clock, and only one USB port. No wireless charging, no heated or cooled seats, and no 360-degree camera.
Space: The rear is spacious enough, but you sit very upright and lack dedicated rear climate controls.
Engine & Specs: The Bulletproof GD6
First of all, it is not really bulletproof; that's just an expression of how tough it is. Under the hood is where the Hilux earns its legendary status. This rig is powered by the heavily respected 2.8L turbo-diesel engine, the infamous GD6. 150 kW/500 Nm mated to a 6-speed automatic.
This gearbox doesn't go hunting for gears; it just seamlessly does its thing. The GD6 has earned the title of "bulletproof" for a reason. Fifty-five years of Hilux in South Africa prove they know exactly how to build something that lasts.
Driving the Legend 55, you get pure, unadulterated power. Put your foot down in Eco mode? Power. Switch to Power mode? Even more power. The accelerator is incredibly responsive, making overtaking a breeze on the highway. On the tarmac, driving this thing earns you an unmatched level of road respect.
But be warned, the ride itself is firm. The suspension is hard-hitting and unapologetic. It’s not the most comfortable bakkie on the market, but you can feel the durability in every bump. It's a suspension built to withstand absolute punishment, whether you're hitting the dunes, crossing water, or crawling through tricky terrain.
Off-road, you are sorted with:
Hill Descent Control
A Lockable Rear Differential
4-Low gearing
As for fuel economy, Toyota claims 7.5L/100km, but realistically, expect to average around 10.2L/100km. For a rig this size, that’s standard territory.
Pricing and Verdict:
At R935,000 for the 4x4 double cab, it’s a heavy tag. Yes, you can get competitors for less money, but let's be real, they aren't a Hilux. Driving this feels like a milestone. It makes you feel like the big boss, and everyone around you treats you like one.
It's a great product with an even greater heritage. The new generation is coming soon to fix the interior gripes and bring the cabin into the modern era. But if you aren't sold on the softer styling of the upcoming model, buy the Legend 55 right now! Toyota knows its market perfectly. We might complain about the plastics, but Hilux's fly off the showroom floors for a reason: unmatched reliability, power, and ultimate street respect. Notice how I never mentioned bakkie once? Because this is not a bakkie, it's a Hilux.
