Which "new" pickup truck?
Discussion
I have been thinking about getting a "special" weekend sports car for a while now (something along the lines of a Boxster/Cayman or maybe an Elise) but I am struggling to justify it, as at the weekend I like to spend as much time as possible with my two kids and a two-seater sports car doesn't really fit in with that. So, why not drive the sports car in the week and have something more practical but still fun at the weekend for spending time with the family?
I don't really have much experience with double cab pickup trucks but I quite fancy one, as we often have heavy snow in the winter, some 4WD capability would defintely be an advantage and getting out in a low-slung sports car could be quite a challenge. It would also be useful to have a practical vehicle for picking up materials for DIY projects, taking stuff to the tip and being able to chuck all our bicycles in the back and go out for the day. They seem like pretty good value compared to similarly aged SUVs too. So, I don't really need to do heavy towing but which recent 4WD double cab pickup offers the best reliability, comfort, refinement, low running costs and a fun drive?
The models that I am considering are:
Ford Ranger
Mitsubishi L200
Isuzu Rodeo
Toyota Hilux
Nissan Navara NP300
VW Amarok
I like the look of the Nissan and VW best, especially the new Amarok V6 TDI (although I probably don't want to spend that much). The Isuzu also appeals, as it seems like the leftfield option and I actually have an Isuzu dealer fairly local to me but I don't know how it really stacks up against the others, which are mostly more modern designs.
Any insight on the above options would be gratefully received.
I don't really have much experience with double cab pickup trucks but I quite fancy one, as we often have heavy snow in the winter, some 4WD capability would defintely be an advantage and getting out in a low-slung sports car could be quite a challenge. It would also be useful to have a practical vehicle for picking up materials for DIY projects, taking stuff to the tip and being able to chuck all our bicycles in the back and go out for the day. They seem like pretty good value compared to similarly aged SUVs too. So, I don't really need to do heavy towing but which recent 4WD double cab pickup offers the best reliability, comfort, refinement, low running costs and a fun drive?
The models that I am considering are:
Ford Ranger
Mitsubishi L200
Isuzu Rodeo
Toyota Hilux
Nissan Navara NP300
VW Amarok
I like the look of the Nissan and VW best, especially the new Amarok V6 TDI (although I probably don't want to spend that much). The Isuzu also appeals, as it seems like the leftfield option and I actually have an Isuzu dealer fairly local to me but I don't know how it really stacks up against the others, which are mostly more modern designs.
Any insight on the above options would be gratefully received.
Edited by white_goodman on Thursday 16th February 05:09
exelero said:
One of my friends bought and Amarok when they came out. Very capable off-roader, can tow and can do great on the motorway as well. He had the 2.5 TDI version with the red "i" (probably around 170 hp) and the most amazing thing was that that thing still did like 45 mpg.
If I was you however, I would go for the Isuzu, their engines used to be amazing and I don't think they changed in any way. Good luck with it
Thanks. I thought they were all 2.0 TDIs now. 122PS base engine and then a 163PS bi-turbo, which I heard had a few issues? Maybe the early ones had a 2.5 TDI, as you used to be able to get a 2.5 TDI in the Transporter? I heard that they were scrapping the 2.0 TDI and going to re-launch it with a 3.0 V6 TDI in various states of tune, which sounds awesome but will be beyond my budget I'm sure! If I was you however, I would go for the Isuzu, their engines used to be amazing and I don't think they changed in any way. Good luck with it
Maybe I'll try out an Isuzu though, as I do have a local Isuzu dealership. My local VW dealership only sells passenger cars.
Pvapour said:
That lead me to look at the Isuzu, that AT35 looks awesome (by englisg standards)
How far up the luxury ladder do these come now? Do we get active radar, cooled massage seats etc is thee ride non comercial these days? Not been in one since mazda b2000 days
Drove a new outlander last month and was quite surprised how good it was for a budget 4x4
Yes, the AT35 does look pretty cool but probably more than I need! I think the top-spec models are pretty luxurious now, especially VW but I don't know whether you get the features that you mentioned. The new Navara has an independent multi-link rear suspension, so should be a pretty decent drive and will also be the basis for the new Mercedes-Benz "truck".How far up the luxury ladder do these come now? Do we get active radar, cooled massage seats etc is thee ride non comercial these days? Not been in one since mazda b2000 days
Drove a new outlander last month and was quite surprised how good it was for a budget 4x4
Willy Nilly said:
Yesterday I drove, back to back, our 04 Ranger XLT and the 2015 Transit drop side pickup. Yes, the Ranger is older, but the Transit is head and shoulders the better truck. It's quieter, drives significantly better and I mean miles better, the cab is designed to be a work truck with cubby holes and storage coming out of it's ears. You can actually get things in the load bed and it doesn't look like a tarts handbag.
Those Jap' pickups are all posing pouches, the lot of them. The beds are simply too high now to be of any use unless you have arms like a stretched orangutan. No doubt they will be offering a special, chromed (natch) set of steps that at the touch of a button deploys from the side of the vehicle with a satisfying ptisss noise so people can reach in to the bed, that is, unless less they have fitted the regulation fibreglass topper that offers all the load security of a double skinned bin bag. Not that you can get much more than a couple of bikes in the back anyway.
I'm not sure if comparing a two year old Transit to a thirteen year old Ranger, which must be two generations old now is a very fair comparison. I haven't driven any recent UK market pickups but I drove my father-in-law's 2016 Toyota Tacoma (like a Hilux but not) when I was in Canada and it was a lovely drive. He uses it properly every day on the farm but then it's still a comfortable vehicle to drive the family into town in too at the weekend. I also had an opportunity to drive a new Chevrolet Colorado too which rode and handled brilliantly. In fact I had to keep reminding myself that I was driving a 19 foot long truck and not a small SUV! The last Transit that I drove was a brand new 2013 and I have to say it was one of the most unpleasant vehicles that I have driven. Noisy, the engine was rough and had a drinking habit to rival Oliver Reed, clutch like an on/off switch, a jarring ride and some of the most uncomfortable seats that I have ever encountered. I've also driven a '78 VW Camper and despite being a lot slower, I would have to say that was a more pleasant and comfortable driving experience all-round than the new Transit!Those Jap' pickups are all posing pouches, the lot of them. The beds are simply too high now to be of any use unless you have arms like a stretched orangutan. No doubt they will be offering a special, chromed (natch) set of steps that at the touch of a button deploys from the side of the vehicle with a satisfying ptisss noise so people can reach in to the bed, that is, unless less they have fitted the regulation fibreglass topper that offers all the load security of a double skinned bin bag. Not that you can get much more than a couple of bikes in the back anyway.
I appreciate that a 2015 is probably the new-style Transit though, which may be better and you make a few good points regarding the height of the bed etc but I don't really want a van. Can you get a double cab Transit pickup? If I did, I would consider a Transit but I would prefer something with 4WD that looks less van-like! I also agree that your load is less secure in a truck and yes, some of the top-spec models are pretty vulgar and bling but I would probably be looking at something in the mid-range and the Nissan/VW/Isuzu seem a little more restrained compared to the Ford/Mitsubishi.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff