Whether you’re looking for a tough working vehicle, or need a machine that can haul all the necessities of modern family life, the 1.0-tonne pickup category is packed with worthy contenders. In the case of our winners, they’re also good to drive, and will happily double-up as workhorses and replacements for your family car. The best pickup for that job right now is the Ford Ranger.
Last year’s award-winner makes it twice in a row thanks to its great payload and towing ratings, vast number of options, broad trim levels and fine selection of modern 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engines. These power units are well up to the task, producing as much as 213hp and 500Nm of torque – which helps them provide an excellent driving experience. Other refinements, such as active noise cancelling to keep the clatter down in the cabin and great connectivity features, make this one of the few pickups that really can function as an alternative to a car. No wonder it’s the UK’s bestselling pickup truck.
The latest Musso impressed us right from the start with its amazing engine refinement and substantial selection of standard equipment – it shares plenty of parts with one SsangYong’s SUV passenger cars, which helps. New for 2020, however, is the new extra-long Rhino model, which adds an incredible amount of load-space to this exclusively double-cab design, adding versatility to the Korean brand’s offering that few rivals can match. Chuck in class-leading towing capability and a burgeoning reputation for reliability and dealer service, not to mention highly competitive pricing, and you’ve got a very appealing range of pickups.
It’s one of the longest-running pickup names in the business, and the Hilux has a reputation that few rivals can match. Freshly updated in 2020, as well as lots of variants to choose from you can expect surprising comfort and modern safety, while the interior features a prominent tablet-style panel in the centre for the infotainment, which takes the form of a touchscreen on all but the most basic trim level. But the main reason for buying a Hilux has to be that legendary toughness and reliability, something that’s typically borne out by owner satisfaction surveys. There’s a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty for added peace of mind.
