Driven: Toyota Hilux 4×4 Legend RS

You are a very capable vehicle with your 2,8-litre four-cylinder engine with 150 kW and 500 N.m. In fact, you’re more than capable. But in my hands, recently, I made you look really bad. To the point where someone told me I should have bought a Ford.

Granted, you are not mine, but rather a test car that we were able to drive to Knysna and back again. A journey, I must say, you handled quite well. While the engine was slightly loud, we couldn’t fault the rest of you. I’m not entirely certain why the engine was so loud though – could it be that you’re just a little tired having done press fleet duty for quite some time now? Who knows.

Your standard features are great – everything we could want and need for our long-distance trip. This includes a leather interior, JBL premium audio system, a power-adjustable driver seat, safety features such as a pre-crash system, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control a host of airbags and more. Also here, dual-zone climate control and a smart entry system. I showed you off around the town of Knysna and enjoyed some sight seeing with you.

But then it all went downhill for us both. Or rather it got stuck going uphill. There was a lot of mud about after a night of rain. I’m sure, like me, you were actually quite excited by it all and imagined tackling the muddy terrain with aplomb. I headed to the Simola Hillclimb event with confidence despite the conditions. I knew what you were capable of. But alas, when you needed me to highlight your strengths, I failed you. I got stuck in the mud and became too flustered. I forgot where the switch for 4H, 4L, etc was. As a result, it took all of about five tries to get unstuck and up what I can only describe as a slight incline. In front of so many people. How embarrassing. And yet, I decided to let the world know by making a little video (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160377063181018&id=699681017). I think I did it mainly to show that it was me and not you.

So, once again, I am sorry. There’s a reason why you’re one of the best-selling vehicles in the land. You’re a Legend.

Kind regards,