Best Of
Best Pickup Trucks In 2024
Pickup trucks are tough and practical vehicles, often used as both personal and commercial transports. Auto Trader’s Tom Roberts takes a closer look at the best pickup trucks available to drive in the UK.
Words by: Tom Roberts
Published on 23 January 2024 | 0 min read
Pickup trucks outgrew their traditional role as commercial vehicles designed for heavy payloads and rugged terrains decades ago. Today, they serve as versatile personal vehicles, offering SUV-like interiors and showing their muscle in adverse weather conditions.
Watching how pickup trucks have evolved over the past decade in particular has been intriguing. Once perceived as purely utility vehicles with compact single cabins and weathered loading bays, modern pickup trucks become more sporty and luxurious with each iteration. For classification as a light commercial vehicle (LCV) and be eligible for all the tax breaks that implies, pickup trucks must be able to carry a payload exceeding 1000kg. This critical payload figure is the key distinction between standard Ford Rangers that are recognized as genuine LCVs, and the Ford Ranger Raptor performance variant, which is technically categorised as a car due to its payload capacity of just over 600kg. While vans are commonly perceived as true LCVs with modern comforts, pickups often bridge the gap between cars and vans. However, their significance goes beyond this role. These vehicles are robust, versatile machines capable of navigating nearly any terrain, serving both personal and commercial needs. So, let’s take a look at the best new pickup trucks available in the UK today.
Watching how pickup trucks have evolved over the past decade in particular has been intriguing. Once perceived as purely utility vehicles with compact single cabins and weathered loading bays, modern pickup trucks become more sporty and luxurious with each iteration. For classification as a light commercial vehicle (LCV) and be eligible for all the tax breaks that implies, pickup trucks must be able to carry a payload exceeding 1000kg. This critical payload figure is the key distinction between standard Ford Rangers that are recognized as genuine LCVs, and the Ford Ranger Raptor performance variant, which is technically categorised as a car due to its payload capacity of just over 600kg. While vans are commonly perceived as true LCVs with modern comforts, pickups often bridge the gap between cars and vans. However, their significance goes beyond this role. These vehicles are robust, versatile machines capable of navigating nearly any terrain, serving both personal and commercial needs. So, let’s take a look at the best new pickup trucks available in the UK today.
Ford Ranger
The latest Ford Ranger is the best type of new vehicle - it improves on virtually every element of the previous version in meaningful ways. It looks better, it drives better, the interior is far more spacious and the new design cuts down on the amount of parts to make this vehicle an even tougher and more durable workhorse. It’s also available with a meaty V6 3.0-litre engine for those wanting a little more muscle!
Every trim/spec of the standard Ranger carries over 1000kg, meaning that no matter which version you choose it can be used as a personal and commercial vehicle. It’s not often a company brings out two new commercial vehicles in a year, but in 2023 Ford brought out the new Ranger and Transit Custom medium van. Both are excellent examples of Ford’s dominance in the commercial vehicle world, with the Ranger showing off that Ford understand that commercial vehicles are often used as personal vehicles too.
Every trim/spec of the standard Ranger carries over 1000kg, meaning that no matter which version you choose it can be used as a personal and commercial vehicle. It’s not often a company brings out two new commercial vehicles in a year, but in 2023 Ford brought out the new Ranger and Transit Custom medium van. Both are excellent examples of Ford’s dominance in the commercial vehicle world, with the Ranger showing off that Ford understand that commercial vehicles are often used as personal vehicles too.
VW Amarok
You’d expect me to say that everything I said about the Ranger applies to the latest VW Amarok because they share a platform, but it doesn’t. While the new Amarok has (perhaps) a slightly nicer interior than the Ranger, you do have to be careful which trim/spec level you choose in the Amarok if you need a commercial vehicle. There are a few trim/spec combinations in the new Amarok that will pull the payload below 1000kg, so do check which variant you’re choosing can actually do what you need it to.
That said, the Amarok seems fine with playing second to Ford’s new Ranger and will find its audience among those wanting a little more luxury inside the vehicle. It also can be fitted with a big V6 3.0-litre engine, which really does have to be driven to believe how powerful it is.
That said, the Amarok seems fine with playing second to Ford’s new Ranger and will find its audience among those wanting a little more luxury inside the vehicle. It also can be fitted with a big V6 3.0-litre engine, which really does have to be driven to believe how powerful it is.
Toyota Hilux
Often referred to as ‘the toughest truck’, the Toyota Hilux pickup truck is a more old-school design - instead of suspension coils on the back wheels it uses leaf spring suspension. That suspension choice means there’s less complex things to break at the back end, but results in a stiff and bumpy ride when unloaded.
As standard it comes with a 2.8-litre engine and a fantastic 10-year warranty, which means that it’s a great choice for someone looking to drive the same vehicle for a while. Its interior has also been heavily updated, bringing it into line with the more modern pickup trucks on offer. Ultimately, picking a Hilux is making the choice to drive a vehicle that offers durability and workhorse practicality over anything else.
As standard it comes with a 2.8-litre engine and a fantastic 10-year warranty, which means that it’s a great choice for someone looking to drive the same vehicle for a while. Its interior has also been heavily updated, bringing it into line with the more modern pickup trucks on offer. Ultimately, picking a Hilux is making the choice to drive a vehicle that offers durability and workhorse practicality over anything else.
Isuzu D-Max
Isuzu is best known for manufacturing the Isuzu D-Max pickup truck, which stands out as a popular workhorse in the pickup truck marketplace. It has won numerous awards for its exceptional durability and off-road capabilities, winning a lot of fans in the agricultural sector.
With a maximum payload capacity of over 1000kg and a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes, the D-Max proves itself when tasked with carrying heavy loads over difficult terrain. It’s a great looking truck too, with sharp lines and sporty curves making it look as good as it drives.
With a maximum payload capacity of over 1000kg and a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes, the D-Max proves itself when tasked with carrying heavy loads over difficult terrain. It’s a great looking truck too, with sharp lines and sporty curves making it look as good as it drives.
Maxus T90
The Maxus T90 pickup truck is a bit of a game changer, available in both diesel and electric variants. Although the T90 may not be as familiar in the UK, its reputation in Europe and Asia is very positive. The electric version boasts a 220-mile range and a 1000kg payload (unless you fit a canopy over the loadspace). The diesel variant is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine, providing the critical 1000kg payload.
The Maxus T90 is an interesting choice - it’s not well known, it’s a little bit different, it’s got some real capabilities and might be a good vehicle to drive for a few years. Ultimately, go see one and get a better understanding of what it can really do before signing on the line.
The Maxus T90 is an interesting choice - it’s not well known, it’s a little bit different, it’s got some real capabilities and might be a good vehicle to drive for a few years. Ultimately, go see one and get a better understanding of what it can really do before signing on the line.