Are you in the trades? A pickup truck could be a very handy tool to have around your yard. They come in all shapes and sizes which allows them to suit a variety of trades – and, because most have a second row of seats, you can use them for hauling your family around on the weekend.
Massive pickups like the SsangYong Musso Rhino have large towing weights and payload volumes, which makes them ideal for builders and roofers. Meanwhile, smaller, sportier pickups like the Ford Ranger Raptor are perfect for farmers for their ability to cover lots of rough ground very quickly.
They’re not as spartan as they used to be, either. Just 20 years ago, pickups were difficult vehicles to drive on the road. They rattled your fillings out and barely came with any creature comforts. But manufacturers have since realised that tradesmen don’t really enjoy being battered by their vehicles before starting work – so most pickups these days have car-like levels of comfort and equipment.
Pickup trucks are also quite affordable – especially if you’re happy buying used. Spend a bit of time on second-hand cars for sale websites (such as this one) and you’ll find plenty of examples for less than £10,000. Below, we’ve listed some of the best on sale today. Scroll down for some inspiration.
Just be wary if you plan on using your pickup to work in London. Some older versions of the pickups listed here might not be meet the conditions for the UK government’s revised ULEZ scheme – and you’ll need to pay a fee every time you pass over the North Circular. It’s no good having a tool that costs you money to use every day, so check you can dodge the charge using this link before you buy.
Ford Ranger
The Ranger took the UK by storm when it was launched. Ford sold thousands of them and mopped up loads of awards from Britain’s motoring press. And it’s easy to see why – the Ranger was offered with a choice of muscular 2.0-litre engines, it can tow 3,500kg and it rides almost as well as a passenger SUV. Couple that with the car-like levels of equipment, and you’re on to a winner.
Ford has also just launched a brand-new version of the Ranger, which means these older models will soon become far less desirable. Keep your eyes on the used market and snap up a cheap one as soon as you can. You’ll have years of comfortable and reliable motoring to look forward to.
Toyota Hilux
The Hilux needs no introduction. It’s a famously unkillable pickup truck with excellent off-road performance and an impressive 10-year warranty (providing you have it serviced at an approved Toyota dealership). It’s also available with a massive 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine which delivers a meaty 204hp and 500Nm of torque.
That means it has the biggest engine of any new pickup truck on sale today – and used prices are starting to come down. Yes, you’ll have to spend around £30,000 on one to get the good engine but, considering it’ll outlive your business, you and your children, we think it’s worth the investment.
Isuzu D-Max
Following closely behind the Hilux on the tough-o-meter is the Isuzu D-Max. The company launched a new model in 2021, which was a huge improvement over the previous one. It features the 1.9-litre diesel engine as the old version, but comes with a stronger chassis, sharper exterior styling, a better interior and more safety equipment than any of its competitors.
It’s not as polished as the Ranger, but that just makes it more honest. And it’s no less useful – it’ll still tow 3,500kg. Granted, the latest D-Max is probably still too new to find an affordable used model, but it’s worth keeping an eye on prices if you’re thinking of trading up your workhorse in the next few years. Once the new Ranger goes on sale, the market might flood with cheap D-Maxes.
SsangYong Musso Rhino
This is the pickup to go for if you need to haul heavy loads. You can throw 1,140kg in the Musso Rhino’s bed and it’ll barely bat an eyelid. It also has a gross train weight of 6,900kg, which is more than any pickup truck on sale in the UK today. It also has the largest load bed, measuring 1,610mm long from the tailgate to the cab. It’s a monster.
To make it handle the extra weight, SsangYong swapped the standard model’s car-derived rear suspension for more agricultural leaf springs. This makes it a little less sharp to drive – but it’s a pickup! It wasn’t designed to be a sports car. And, with prices starting at around £15,000 on the used market, you can’t argue with the value.
Nissan Navara
With prices starting from £4,000 on the used market, the Nissan Navara is a very affordable pickup truck indeed. They were available in king-cab and double-cab body styles and were fitted with a fantastic 2.3-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that offers loads of power and class-leading fuel economy. At least it did until Nissan discontinued the model at the end of 2021.
Rather unusually, Nissan also sold the Navara as a chassis cab model, which allowed buyers to graft tools like cherry pickers and drop-side tipper trays onto the rear of the vehicle. Some also feature lockable tool chests, which makes them ideal for mobile mechanics. If you need a cheap specialist vehicle, it’s well-worth hunting for a Navara.
Image courtesy of sdvh
