Pick-ups & Doublecabs BUYING GUIDE
New Car guide to....
Pick-ups & Doublecabs
If you need a workhorse but still need to carry colleagues and the family
around, a pick-up makes perfect sense. Take your pick from these...
Ford Ranger Nissan Navara Toyota Hilux
Although it doesn’t have the contem- The bold-looking Navara is closely If space is your overriding concern, the
porary looks of its Japanese rivals, the related to Nissan’s Pathfinder SUV. As Toyota Hilux simply has to be on your
Ranger makes up for any design a result, it offers class-leading levels pick-up shortlist. At 5.25 metres long,
shortcomings with a decent driving of refinement and comfort. It’s a little it’s one of the biggest pick-ups on the
experience and a wide range. pricier than the opposition, but the market, and makes excellent use of the
Buyers have the option of two engines; quality can’t be faulted. Like many of available space. Although the engine
a 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit which its rivals, it uses a 2.5-litre turbodiesel range was limited at launch, there’s
develops 143bhp and a bigger 3.0-litre powerplant, and has a six-speed now a 3.0-litre D-4D powerplant with
version which produces 156bhp and gearbox. The Navara range has grown 169bhp and 343Nm of torque. This
powers the range-topping Wildtrack over the years and features a no-frills means it competes head to head with
(pictured). Maximum payloads range Trek version at one end and a hard- the growing number of high-output
from 1,107kg to an impressive 1,235kg. topped X-BACK model at the other. pick-ups in the sector.
Isuzu Rodeo
Mitsubishi L200
Mazda BT-50
The Rodeo was the first pick-up of its The L200 enjoys an almost fanatical Although it was developed and is built
kind to offer drivers a refined chassis following in the UK, and it’s not hard alongside the Ford Ranger, the Mazda
set-up and as many creature comforts to see why. Not only does it have all BT-50 is more than just a clone of the
as a fully-loaded off-roader. Four years the qualities you’d expect to find in a Blue Oval’s machine. It has different
on, and the Rodeo still makes a good fully-specced off-roader, it turns more styling around the front end while the
buy – especially if you demand a lot heads than a supercar thanks to its range features different combinations
of kit for your money. The cab is well unusual curved load area and dramatic of trim and equipment. However, under
made and sturdy, while the 136bhp front end. The driving experience is the skin, the two are all-but identical.
2.5-litre common-rail diesel and range- first class with the 2.5-litre engine Power comes from a 2.5-litre motor with
topping 163bhp, 3.0-litre engines are performing well in both 134 and 143bhp, while load bed lengths range
more than up to the task. Still a great 165bhp forms, while the suspension is from 1,530mm to 2,280mm. Prices start at
value pick-up. surprisingly forgiving on bumpy roads. £10,595 for the 4x2 Single cab.
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