Legend proves its worth, but it doesn’t come cheap
YOU can’t begin a review of the new Toyota Hilux without mentioning the fact that for most of its life in South Africa it’s been the best-selling bakkie by a country mile.
The reasons are as varied as their owners who have an almost cult-like following of the double cab and as we know they’re as popular on the dirt as they are cruising any urban environment.
A case in point happened when I attended a bachelor’s party a few months ago on a game farm in Limpopo. Apart from a couple of us older “toppies” the rest were all young guys mostly living outside of the cities involved in either mining or farming. The parking lot looked like a Toyota dealership with bakkies ranging from humble single cabs through to modified double cabs and most of those that didn’t own one apart from one or two, voiced their intention to buy one.
That’s just the Hilux and we’re not even talking about Cruisers or Fortuners.
Judging from sales figures it seems the recent upgrade to the Hilux has been well-received by customers who have been asking for a while that the Japanese company relook at the styling, ride quality, technology and power outputs because let’s face it, the previous generation wasn’t exactly the best-looking machine in the carpark.
The Hilux we had on test was the range-topping Legend SR which sports the new-look front trapezoidal grille that Toyota says integrates with the front bumper, bonnet protector and skidplate. Either way, it’s a big improvement and in the RS which stands for roller shutter, you get a graphite coloured sports bar, rubberised bedliner, assisted tailgate with central locking function and dust defense kit and said motorised roller shutter.
The most significant upgrade has been to the engine where the existing 2.8 GD-6 now delivers 150kW and 500Nm of torque coupled to a sixspeed automatic transmission. Fuel economy has also improved thanks to a larger turbocharger and enhanced cooling and a new common-rail injection system. Toyota has always over-engineered and under-stressed their offroad engine offerings which is why you often hear about Hiluxes and Cruisers doing ridiculously high mileages without any major problems and the same will no doubt be the case with this new offering.
A friend of mine has the previous GD-6 double cab and driving them back to back over the same terrain there’s a significant improvement in acceleration. The new version feels more spirited and the turbo spools a lot earlier too.
There’s an improvement in ride quality that’s noticeable especially at speed over bumpy tar roads and dirt. That’s thanks to new spring rates, shock absorbers and suspension bushes. It’s especially noticeable unloaded, but with four bags of cement in the back not as much. However, there is definitely an improvement around corners where the Legend held its line easier and with less fuss on tar and dirt.
Long-distance driving is made a lot easier in the Legend now that adaptive cruise control has been fitted.
Interior changes aren’t that obvious but there are a number of tech upgrades such as the 20cm touchscreen infotainment system that is now Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible as well as a top of the range JBL sound system, which thank goodness, you can now adjust with a dial. It also comes with the Toyota Connect telematics system with an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and complimentary 15 gigs of data.
The leather seats get unique accent treatment and there’s the addition of blue door illumination and black roof lining.
We took both models to an offroad track just outside Pretoria and while they proved to be almost equally capable, the upgraded traction control did kick in a little earlier which allowed for less wheel spin. The Legend’s hill descent control has been recalibrated to be slower, although it’s still not adjustable. However most of the people I drive with prefer using the brake pedal. This is especially so when it gets really technical down rocky descents.
Tricky climbs in low range with the diff lock on, you really had to be an anorak to notice any real difference between the two as they crawled to the top so we called it a draw.
Because ours was a test unit we were more circumspect than some of the other Hilux owners with us so we were wary to test approach and departure angles too vigorously but you know that because it’s a Hilux it will do exactly as it says on the box.
Relaxing afterwards around the braai fires there was a lot of discussion surrounding the Legend and while the general consensus was that Toyota had definitely got it right in terms of exterior appeal and interior ergonomics but, at R868 100 for the SR Auto and R835 400 for the manual, prices were becoming ridiculous.
Still, they can’t keep up with supply though.
All Hilux models have a 3-year/ 100 000 km warranty and a 9-services/ 90 000km service plan.
IN HIS Budget speech on Wednesday, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni was unexpectedly kind to you, the taxpayer, in setting out the tax rates for the 2021/22 tax year. Many commentators believed the government had no choice but to squeeze South African consumers for more, given its radically worsening debt situation. A wealth tax was mooted, as was an increase in VAT.
These things did not come to pass, thanks in part to an unexpected R99 billion in extra revenue collected last year. Income tax payers will enjoy some relief, as detailed below, but perhaps the best news is the lack of news.
As Doelie Lessing, director & tax specialist at Werksmans Attorneys, says: “No tax rate increases, and no new taxes introduced – what is absent from the Budget is the best and biggest news!” She says government is still pondering a wealth tax though.
“Information is being gathered through third parties and this will help the revenue authorities to assess the feasibility of a wealth tax.”
Let’s go through your major taxes (and concessions) as an individual, and see where there have been changes:
INCOME TAX
There have been no changes to the rates of tax, with an above-inflation 5% increase to the amounts in the tax brackets (as detailed in the accompanying table). This translates into the following tax savings if your income remains the same:
♦ Taxpayers under 65 years of age: a saving of R1580 on an annual taxable income of R250 000; R3 510 on R500 000; and R5 140 on R1 million. ♦ Taxpayers over 65 but under 75: a saving of R1 994 on R250 000; R3 924 on R500 000; and R5 554 on R1 million.
♦ Taxpayers aged 75 and over: a saving of R2 129 on R250 000; R4 059 on R500 000; and R5 689 on R1 million.
OTHER TAXES AND DUTIES ♦
VAT: there will be no increase to the 15% rate. In the 2020/21 tax year VAT accounted for 26.7% of total tax revenue, compared with 25.6% in the previous tax year. Super fine maize meal will be included in the list of zero-rated food items.
♦ Sin taxes: excise duties on alcohol and tobacco will increase by 8%, effective immediately.
♦ Fuel levies: inflation-related increases of 15c/litre and 11c/litre will apply to the general fuel levy and the Road Accident Fund levy, respectively, with effect from April 7.
♦ Capital gains tax: there is no change to the current rates: 40% of any gain will be included in your taxable income, with an annual exclusion of R40 000. Other exclusions include R2 million on the sale of a primary residence and R300 000 in the year of death.
♦ Dividends tax: the withholding tax on share dividends remains at 20%. ♦ Donations tax: no changes. Donations to a spouse are tax-free. Those to anyone else remain taxed at 20% on amounts of under R30 million and 25% on anything over R30 million. The first R100 000 is exempt.
♦ Transfer duty: The duty on the transfer of a property remains the same, according to a table published by Sars and available on its website. ♦ Taxes on retirement fund withdrawals: taxes on lump-sum withdrawals from retirement funds remain the same. You can view the tables (one for withdrawals at retirement, the other for pre-retirement withdrawals) on the Sars website.
♦ Estate duty: the rate remains at 20% on the first R30 million and 25% on anything over that. The first R3.5 million is not taxed, and any part of this exemption not used can roll over from the first-dying spouse to the surviving spouse.
CONCESSIONS ♦
Retirement funds: tax breaks on contributions to retirement funds remain unchanged: you can deduct contributions up to 27.5% of remuneration or taxable income up to R350 000 a year. ♦ Tax-free investments: the conditions remain unchanged – you can save up to R36 000 a year, with a R500 000 lifetime contribution limit.
♦ Medical expenses: credits on monthly medical scheme contributions have increased to R332 (up from R319) for the principal member and first dependant and to R224 (up from R215) for additional dependants.
Taxpayers under 65 years can claim 25% on out-of-pocket medical expenses and the amount by which medical scheme contributions exceed four times the medical scheme tax credits for the tax year, limited to the amount that exceeds 7.5% of taxable income (excluding retirement fund lump sums and severance benefits).
If you are 65 years and older, or if you, your spouse or child has a disability, you can claim 33.3% of qualifying medical and the amount by which medical scheme contributions exceed three times the medical scheme tax credits for the tax year.
♦ Exemptions on interest income: These remain at R23 800 a year for taxpayers under 65 and R34 500 for those of 65 and over.
♦ Section 12J investments: the bad news for venture capital investors is that the sunset clause for a 100% deduction on venture capital investments (subject to a minimum amount of R500 000) remains in place. The cut-off date of June 30, 2021 will not be extended.
UIF CEILING INCREASE
The Unemployment Insurance Fund contribution ceiling will be increased to R17 711.58 a month from R14 872 a month with effect from March 1. The maximum monthly contribution for both the employee and employer will increase from R148.72 to R177.12.