It is no lie, the Toyota Hilux bakkie sells in good numbers with over 3 410 Hiluxes to have found homes in SA in the month of September alone.
That’s approximately 113 units leaving the showroom floor every day. The first Hilux model rolled off the production line some 50 years ago, Toyota built the Hilux Legend 50 bakkie.
We recently had a jaunt in the new Hilux Legend 50 4×4 double-cab that came in striking inferno metallic exterior colour. Everything about the exterior of the Legend 50 is just beautifully designed and you get Legend 50 insignia that reminds you that you are driving something special.
It runs on some sexy, exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels while the side is complemented by black side protective mouldings, chrome exterior mirrors and door handles as well as black side steps.
There are sleek satin-silver roof rails that give the Legend 50 a menacing look.
The interior is such a lovely place to be in and leaves no room for any complaints. The seats are finished in leather upholstery and offer optimum support.
There is a chrome-finished accent strip that runs across the width of the dashboard and Legend 50-branded scuff plates that grace the door sill. Electronically, highlights include the 4.2” TFT driver display as well as the same enhanced 8-inch infotainment system. The lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is still a disappointing factor, however, there’s Bluetooth, Aux input, SATNav and a single USB port.
Our test unit came fitted with a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine with power outputs of 130 kW and 450 Nm plus a six-speed manual gearbox.
Although the engine and the transmission are wonderfully matched, I felt a huge need for an automatic transmission simply because I stay in and around traffic-congested areas, however, the transmission felt a tad more engaging to drive.
I took the Legend 50 through some challenging terrains in Magaliesburg and it did not disappoint. It swallowed the bumps with so much aplomb yet the load bin tends to jitter a lot with no load in there – something that I have experience with key competitors.
The Hilux comes from far and its lovers still have a vehicle that is capable of excelling in its respective stable and the numbers do not lie, people love this bakkie.