Six of the best pick-up trucks

EVERYONE loves a good pick-up truck, because they are multi-talented and here are six of the best pick-up trucks on sale, in our opinion. One day the load bed could be full of work materials and the next it could be the weekend and full of bikes for an action-packed trip away.

Business Vans predicted the pick-up truck market would heat up in 2016 and there are many new models coming in 2017.

Plus, on top of these pick-ups’ great go-anywhere abilities you could save a stack on benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax – like the sound of £53 a month for a company wagon?

For the current tax year 2016-17, the benefit-in-kind on a double cab pick-up truck is £3,170. So if you pay tax at 20% that’s just £634 a year – £53 a month – or £1,268 p.a. for a 40% tax payer. Not bad!

So to help you make your decision on what to buy, we have picked all of our favourites.

Six of the best pick-up trucks: Ford Ranger

Ford Ranger. Click here for the review

Ford’s popular pick-up choice was face-lifted in 2016, with highlights including sharper looks, a better infotainment system in the form of the SYNC2 touchscreen system and if off-roading is a priority, there’s a new ‘shift-on-the-fly-system’ for the high and low range gear selection.

If you’re carrying round the family, you’ll be interested to hear that this Ford has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating too.

Sadly, despite the Ranger being a capable pick-up – you can carry up to 1,309kg – we think the Ranger’s ride and handling aren’t up to the levels of class rivals.

Six of the best pick-up trucks: Mitsubishi L200

Mitsubishi L200 Titan. Click here for the review

The Series Five L200 pick-up is a fine mixture of off-road ability now combined with car-like qualities, such as the refined ride and impressive composure in the corners – all despite the Mitsubishi’s height.

Planning on heading off-road? Well, the Super Select system that’s new to the L200 includes a torque-sensing Torsen differential and ASTC active stability control. We also like the fact you can go between two and four-wheel drive at up to 62mph. The L200 is impressively efficient too, returning over 40mpg.

Despite the longer load area and 3.1 tonne capacity, the only downside to the L200, is that although it’s good to drive – a more recent rival, the latest Nissan Navara, with its independent rear suspension, handles and rides better.

Six of the best pick-up trucks: Nissan Navara

Nissan Navara NP300. Click here for the review

Nissan has gathered the knowledge gained from making crossovers such as the Qashqai and used it in making the latest Navara NP300. This means car-like levels of refinement and interior quality.

On top of this, the independent rear suspension on Double Cab versions ensures that ride comfort and handling are both stable and secure and the lack of road noise is a particular plus point.

With the independent suspension you might think the Navara has gone soft, but you’d be wrong. Green-laning is no problem, plus it’s now fitted with useful clever tech such as Hill Descent Control.

The only disappointments are the Navara’s 187bhp 2.3-litre dCi engine, which feels slow off the mark, the interior lacks stowage and although sleeker, there’s too much wind noise created around the wing mirrors. Plus, Visia and Acenta trims have disappointingly low levels of equipment.

Six of the best pick-up trucks: Ssangyong Musso

SsangYong Musso 2.2D XE 4WD Auto. Click here for the review

It might be a re-worked version of the former Korando Sports, but there’s much more to like about this Ssangyong pick-up than the name! Under the bonnet, there’s a new, refined 2.2-litre XDI diesel engine that on top of being Euro6 compliant, boasts175bhp, 400Nm of torque and186g/km emissions. This engine is particularly well matched to the six-speed automatic transmission and economy is still decent at 37mpg, with impressive 202g/km emissions.

As you’d expect being a Ssangyong, the Musso is a high value package with loads of standard kit including 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, front LED daytime running lights, leather trim with heated front seats, a power operated driver’s seat, automatic air-conditioning, automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers, seven-inch touchscreen RDS radio foriPod and Bluetooth.

How a modern pick-up drives is a key consideration when buying. And although the Musso is very easy to drive, its steering is lifeless and devoid of feel, there’s still plenty of body roll in corners, plus the low-speed ride is unsettled. Although, the sophisticated multi-link setup means it does get better at speed. The new dashboard design is awkward too.

Six of the best pick-up trucks: Toyota Hilux

New Toyota Hilux Invincible Double Cab. Click here for the review

2016 was a good year for Toyota, as it gave us the first new Hilux pick-up in 12 years and this is it! Hilux highlights start with the new 2.4-litre diesel engine, which has 148bhp and 400Nm of torque. Upsides of this smaller engine include the 41.5mpg figure for the manual and 204g/km CO2 emission figure.

The new six-speed auto transmission feels well-matched too, offering smooth changes and 36.2mpg.Outside, the new model has all the iconic Hilux pick-up DNA reimagined and the end result is neat and modern. Inside, the Hilux feels more SUV than pick-up, with the horizontal dashboard design.

Sadly, we reckon the Nissan Navara NP300 is more car-like to drive. The leaf spring rear suspension on the Hilux might be tough, but it makes for a very unsettled, tiring ride. Plus the interior plastics feel cheap.

Six of the best pick-up trucks: Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen Amarok Aventura V6. Click here for the review

After six-years and over 14,000 sold in the UK, we welcome the new face-lifted versions of our previous Business Vans award-winner – the Volkswagen Amarok.

Thankfully, Volkswagen haven’t meddled too much with this winning pick-up formula, as the styling tweaks are limited to a new chrome-edged grille, headlights and front air dam. Inside, the Amarok is equally classy and car-like with a revised centre console and infotainment systems. Most importantly is the new muscle under the Volkswagen’s bonnet, in the form of a selection of 3.0-litre TDI V6 engines.

The only downsides of the Amarok is the unsettled, bouncy ride, tight rear space and finally this Volkswagen is pricey to buy.