This one's a 7.5/10 for me. Loses marks for the dated cabin, limited steering adjust, and a six-speed auto that's no match for Ford's 10-speed. Gains them back for reliability, dealer support, the pra
Introduction
Right, so you want the last, most loaded rear-drive Hilux of the AN120 generation - and you trust Toyota’s parts bin and dealer support to keep you moving long after the warranty’s gone. That’s where the 2.8 GD-6 RB Legend 55 6AT lands: the final word for diehards, dressed up with blacked-out trim, those 18-inch Fortuner alloys, and a spec sheet that’ll keep loyalists lining up. As for Ranger Wildtrak and Amarok diehards? They’re not budging. But if you live in a town where the Ford dealer’s 120 km away and the bakkie’s your business, the Hilux is still the one they sign for before the coffee arrives. Loyalty or lifestyle - choose your camp.
Key takeaway: The Legend 55 RB packs every last extra you could want in a rear-drive Hilux - buy it for bulletproof resale and dealer network, not for the flashiest cabin or quickest 0–100.
Design & Exterior
What’s new on the 55
Forget the old Legend RS’s red bits - Legend 55 goes for grown-up menace. Gloss-black grille, mirrors, sports bar and steps, plus those 18-inch Fortuner GR-Sport wheels finally give the Hilux some presence. The roller shutter over the bin? Same unit as before, and if you’ve ever been quoted for one at a Fitment Centre, you’ll know it’s a hefty chunk of the sticker already.
How it sits in the segment
Park next to a Wildtrak, and the Hilux looks tidier, less “look-at-me”, and still built for the farmer who’s towing a cattle trailer before sunrise. Ranger and Amarok have gone full lifestyle. Hilux? It’s sticking to the workhorse vibe - just with more polish for the school run crowd.
RB versus 4x4 - visual giveaways
This RB (rear-wheel-drive) Legend 55 rides lower than the 4x4 and skips the front recovery hooks. Not an issue for Joburg commuters or Durban office types who’ll never see gravel. Karoo farmers still get the 4x4 Legend 55 option if they need extra traction and don’t mind the added cost.
Cabin & Practicality
Materials and layout
Here’s where the platform shows its vintage. The dashboard shape says 2016, and even with the newer 8-inch infotainment running wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, the plastics fall behind the latest Ranger or D-Max. Still, Toyota’s stuck to what matters: physical climate controls, a chunky volume knob, and toggles for drive modes and diff lock. That’s key - try prodding a touchscreen mid-bounce outside Augrabies, and you’ll see why.
Space and ISOFIX
- Both outer rear seats have ISOFIX - no faffing with child seats.
- The rear bench is flat; anyone over 1.85 metres will notice the lack of thigh support on a Cape Town to PE slog.
- Front seats now part-leather with red stitching - definitely more supportive than the old Legends for long N1 hauls.
- The steering column only adjusts for rake, not reach. If you’re tall, you’ll mutter about that the second you leave the dealer's forecourt.
Boot and load bay
No boot, just that legendary load bay - but that’s the Hilux’s ace. Under the roller shutter, I managed a full braai kit, two camping chairs and a 60-litre cooler, with space left. If you pack smart, two adult mountain bikes (wheels off) fit flat. Payload’s still around 1 ton. Towing? 3 500 kg braked, so your double-axle trip to Hartebeespoort is sorted. Toyota Hilux boot space is measured in braai wood, not litres - yet it always delivers.
On the Road
Engine and gearbox
That 2.8-litre diesel is good for 150 kW, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed auto. On paper at least, it’s plenty. Out on the freeway, the auto is relaxed but sometimes a bit lazy to kick down for overtakes. Loaded up, it’ll hunt between gears - fifth and sixth, mostly. But I’ll take this engine over any bakkie mill for a cold Sutherland morning at -3°C. Ranger Bi-Turbo and D-Max V-Cross are quicker, but Hilux is about trust, not top trumps.
Ride and chassis
Body-on-frame, leaf springs at the back - the classic bakkie recipe. On battered tar near Midrand, the unladen rear skips over cracks, not as plush as coil-sprung Amarok, but load up 400 kg, and it settles like a champion. That’s the deal: one-tonne payload means trade-offs, but you get the muscle where it counts.
Real-world economy
This non-hybrid Legend 55 won’t match the new 48V model for thrift. I notched 9.8 L/100 km on a Joburg–Magaliesberg run, and that climbed to 11.4 L/100 km in Sandton traffic with the aircon set to penguin. Here’s how it breaks down:
- 9.8 L/100 km: mixed driving, just me and some gear onboard.
- 11.4 L/100 km: stop-start slog, aircon cranked up.
The 48V hybrid Legend sips less around town, thanks to stop-start. If your life is mostly city, that’s something to weigh up. But if you’re often on the N14 to Mafikeng, the real-world gap on fuel shrinks, and the non-hybrid Legend 55 starts to look like the smarter buy. Toyota Hilux fuel consumption rarely surprises - predictability is part of the appeal.
Data & Comparison
Specs at a glance
| Spec | Hilux 2.8 GD-6 RB Legend 55 6AT | Ford Ranger 2.0 BiT XLT 4x2 | Isuzu D-Max 3.0 V-Cross 4x2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.8L Diesel | 2.0L BiT Diesel | 3.0L Diesel |
| Power | 150 kW | Approx. 155 kW | Approx. 140 kW |
| Gearbox | 6AT | 10AT | 6AT |
| Drive | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| Braked towing | 3 500 kg | 3 500 kg | 3 500 kg |
Cost of ownership
Toyota pegs five-year running costs for the Legend 55 at roughly R230 000. That’s a figure that tips the scales against Ranger or Amarok if you’re keeping it for the long haul. The service plan remains a big draw - slot in at any McCarthy Toyota, Barloworld, or even a tiny dealer in Upington, and you’re sorted for spares. That matters most if your Hilux is more than just a weekend toy.
Where the segment is trending
The double-cab bakkie interest sits steady - between 62.1 and 66.4 from June to November 2025. Hybrids and SUVs are inching up, which explains why Toyota’s made the regular Legend 48V-only and kept this diesel-only Legend 55 for the purists. These are buyers who want simplicity and know exactly what they’re getting.
Reliability and the used market
Reliability is the Hilux’s trump card - why three-year-old examples fetch premium prices on AutoTrader. If you remember the 2010 and 2011 models, you’ll recall the D-4D timing chain rattle and the odd turbo actuator hiccup. The 2.8 GD-6 in this Legend 55 is the result of a decade’s worth of tweaks - no glaring weak spots. That’s why resale value stays strong, and why trade-in time is never a headache. And that’s the point.
Verdict
Who should walk past
If you want Wildtrak or Amarok PanAmericana flash, or if plush ride and tech are top priorities, Hilux feels a step behind. City drivers will get better fuel numbers from a 48V Legend or rival. And if you need 4x4, just buy the 4x4 - don’t fudge it.
Summary
Legend 55 RB is for loyal Hilux owners who want the full-fat farewell spec, don’t need 4x4, and care most about dealer support and resale. Tradesmen, small business owners, weekend towers — you know exactly what you’re getting. It’s what the Legend should have been from the start: loaded, sensibly priced, and built for the buyers who speak Hilux fluently.
Ratings
Pros
- ✓Legend 55 RB is for loyal Hilux owners who want the full-fat farewell spec, don’t need 4x4, and care most about dealer support and resale.
- ✓Tradesmen, small business owners, weekend towers — you know exactly what you’re getting.
- ✓It’s what the Legend should have been from the start: loaded, sensibly priced, and built for the buyers who speak Hilux fluently.