Which Pickup for company car?
Discussion
Looking for a little advice from those more in the know on these matters than I am!
Currently have a Toyota Hilux 3.0 Invincible Auto as a company car, but a new job is on offer that also comes with a company car. I should also manage to negotiate a fuel card with this, however the only stipulation is that it must be a diesel. The main driver for choosing a pickup over a ‘normal’ car is the tax benefit for me covering a company car and associated fuel card when both are available for personal use.
Now, it will spend 95% of its time on road, and the remainder towing a trailer around 2500-3000kgs. I like the Hilux but it’s a touch twitchy in the wet, and I as yet haven’t used it for towing so I’m unsure how it will perform with that amount of weight dragging along behind. Also, the Hilux can only tow 2800kgs max, and something inside my head tells me I’d prefer to have a little bit of spare capacity in the towing department.
So far having had a look around, I’ve narrowed the options down to
Ford Ranger 3.2TDCI Auto
Nissan Navara 3.0 TDI Outlaw
VW Amarok Trendline 2.0 TDI Bi-Turbo
Toyota Hilux 3.0 Invincible
I like the Hilux as I’ve said, only downsides are the seat position is a little high and there isn’t enough adjustment in the seat or the steering wheel to get truly comfortable for distance driving. I’m likely to be doing 40-50k a year and can live with the slightly bouncy ride in the long term.
The only stipulation I have is that it must be an Auto. I’m not going to have the time to be able to test drive all of the above (if any of them), so some owner experiences would be much appreciated
Currently have a Toyota Hilux 3.0 Invincible Auto as a company car, but a new job is on offer that also comes with a company car. I should also manage to negotiate a fuel card with this, however the only stipulation is that it must be a diesel. The main driver for choosing a pickup over a ‘normal’ car is the tax benefit for me covering a company car and associated fuel card when both are available for personal use.
Now, it will spend 95% of its time on road, and the remainder towing a trailer around 2500-3000kgs. I like the Hilux but it’s a touch twitchy in the wet, and I as yet haven’t used it for towing so I’m unsure how it will perform with that amount of weight dragging along behind. Also, the Hilux can only tow 2800kgs max, and something inside my head tells me I’d prefer to have a little bit of spare capacity in the towing department.
So far having had a look around, I’ve narrowed the options down to
Ford Ranger 3.2TDCI Auto
Nissan Navara 3.0 TDI Outlaw
VW Amarok Trendline 2.0 TDI Bi-Turbo
Toyota Hilux 3.0 Invincible
I like the Hilux as I’ve said, only downsides are the seat position is a little high and there isn’t enough adjustment in the seat or the steering wheel to get truly comfortable for distance driving. I’m likely to be doing 40-50k a year and can live with the slightly bouncy ride in the long term.
The only stipulation I have is that it must be an Auto. I’m not going to have the time to be able to test drive all of the above (if any of them), so some owner experiences would be much appreciated
Thanks for the replies, one of my gripes about the Hilux is that it lacks a little in the oomph department, joining a fast moving dual carriage way can take a far bit of skill to try and squeeze in amongst the trucks on the inside lane!
I was swaying towards the Navara due to the big increase in power but had been put off a bit by the apparent lack of reliability, but on further reading it appears that the models from 2012 are much improved? I like the look of the Ranger but the engine does puts me off, on paper a 3.2 5cyl has a bit of potential but every time I hear a Transit go past I just know that's how it would sound!
I do like my Hilux, and the feeling that it will go on forever is a surprising feel good factor every time is use it, was more curiosity about was there anything better out there that might be a big enough step forward to warrant a change
I was swaying towards the Navara due to the big increase in power but had been put off a bit by the apparent lack of reliability, but on further reading it appears that the models from 2012 are much improved? I like the look of the Ranger but the engine does puts me off, on paper a 3.2 5cyl has a bit of potential but every time I hear a Transit go past I just know that's how it would sound!
I do like my Hilux, and the feeling that it will go on forever is a surprising feel good factor every time is use it, was more curiosity about was there anything better out there that might be a big enough step forward to warrant a change
harrisp said:
D_T_W said:
I was swaying towards the Navara due to the big increase in power but had been put off a bit by the apparent lack of reliability, but on further reading it appears that the models from 2012 are much improved? I like the look of the Ranger but the engine does puts me off, on paper a 3.2 5cyl has a bit of potential but every time I hear a Transit go past I just know that's how it would sound!
Except transits are a 4cyl 2.2 .Will try and get out this weekend to at least have a look at the alternatives, whether they actually have one to test drive will be another matter!
skyrover said:
If your company is paying for fuel I would be looking at the American pickup trucks.
Far better than the Euro or Jap efforts
LHD would appeal if I was doing a lot of Euro trips, sadly I won't so would need something RHD, and that rules of the yank tanks. Which is a shame as I really like the look of the US Style Ford stuff!Far better than the Euro or Jap efforts
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