The USA has the biggest love affair with trucks, but here in the UK they’ve always seemed a bit like overkill. A few years ago, thanks to favourable tax rates the number of people using commercial pickup trucks as their family cars raised sharply, but this seems to have died out somewhat and now there are only four models left on the market.
The good news is that all four are excellent, and each one offers something different for the people who might still enjoy a pickup truck’s mixture of ruggedness, carrying capacity, high towing capability and beefy image.
And if there aren’t any on this list that suit you, why not browse through the reams of used cars in the UK, where you’ll find plenty of pickup trucks previously sold.
Ford Ranger
The multi award-winning Ford Ranger is set to be replaced by a new model very soon, but the outgoing truck is still the best you can buy. It’s powered by refined and muscular 2.0-litre diesel engines, and to drive it’s on a par with some passenger SUVs – a seriously impressive feat given the suspension’s also set up to take a ton of payload in the bed.
The Ranger’s trim levels go from basic tool to a full-on fashion accessory, and if major off-roading is your jam, then why not check out the stupendously capable Ranger Raptor, which has reams of off-road modifications aimed at total mud-plugging supremacy.
Toyota Hilux
Few names are as associated with reliability, ruggedness and dependability as the Toyota Hilux. If you need a truck that simply will not let you down this is the model to go for – and that strong reputation is now backed up by Toyota’s amazing ‘Relax’ warranty, which gives you up to ten years of cover.
The Hilux isn’t bad to drive, either – powered by a seriously beefy 2.8-litre engine it’s just as suited to a motorway slog as it is to towing out a tree stump. It’s great off-road, refined and even pretty comfortable inside – a great choice.
Isuzu D-Max
The D-Max has typically been the vehicle of choice for builders, farmers and those who are less concerned about a lifestyle accessory and more about getting the job done. But this model, launched in 2021, turned that formula on its head and gained a restyle, new interior and more safety equipment than any of its rivals – aimed at putting the D-Max squarely in the sights of lifestyle buyers.
There are still working variants available, with rugged rubberised interiors and the bare minimum of fripperies. But the fancy V-Cross models are now better than ever, with safety and driver assistance kit better than on some passenger cars. The weak link is the engine, though, which lacks the grunt of its rivals and means the D-Max is, well, a bit slow.
SsangYong Musso
Not a truck you see around often but to write off the Musso would be doing it a disservice. For one, while all pickup trucks in the UK can tow up to 3,500kg and carry up to a ton, the Musso’s the only one that can do both at the same time and remain legal.
Being based on the Rexton SUV means the Musso has an impressively comfortable interior and soft suspension that makes it quite comfortable on long journeys. And with a seven-year warranty you shouldn’t have to worry about putting it to some serious work, either.
