Opinion on which pickup?

[Buffalo]

I need to trade my van in for something with off-road capability for certain sites. I liked the idea of a Commercial Discovery 4, but there seems to be a question mark over whether they still qualify for N1 status. Plus new they are twice the price of all the mid-sized pickups...

I did put a question to Nene Overland, but they could only offer a Volvo XC90 commercial, which doesn't float my boat.

All of the pickups (Mitsi, Toyota, VW, Ford, etc.) seem more or less identical to me. Does anyone have any experiences/ opinions of which ones offer best civility/ VFM at the moment?

[Phooey]

I've got a Amarok 2.0 180hp highline auto which I've had since new (2013/13). It's a big thing but is slightly underpowered - you notice it mostly pulling out of junctions where it is slow to respond. However, VW have put a 224hp v6d in the revised Amarok which I am will be swapping into once UK pricing details and first deliveries are announced later this month. Mercedes are also developing a pickup and I believe will also have a v6d engine. Depreciation wise the VW's are quite good, so cost of ownership isn't quite as bad as the list price has you to believe.

[surveyor]

Chap I know had had all the Japanese ones over the years

He is now kicking himself as the VW one is so good and he's wasted years getting there.

[surveyor]

Ps interested in where the van won't go, as thinking of going there next and also do a certain amount of off road work.

Pps be do a 4wd van

[sidekickdmr]

Out of all of the main pickup offerings at the moment, I like the ford the best, seems well built and very nice place to be.

[cowboyengineer]

If you can hold out a couple of months if that. Vw are putting the v6 diesel in their amarok finally. That will be the pick of the bunch

[Davel]

Had an Amarok Highline for a while.

Very big but great to drive - especially with a bit of weight in the back.

The new one should be much better as the current one is a bit underpowered.

[Buffalo]

I know the older Ranger - preferred it over the older hi-lux (c.2001) - but have no idea if the new Ranger is any good. I was previously in North America and liked the F-150 over the full-size competition. On those experiences I am thinking of having Ranger on the list.

I do like the Amarok from a basic overview, but it is pricier. Any deals going?

The Mitsubishi seems cheapest option but I just can't warm to it. The Hi-lux is standard fare - and I may have to go for that based on it being the most common vehicle on client sites; however, it is also a little

Does anyone have any business experience of running a Disco4 commercial and/or a more informative answer on the N1 status? Pick-ups are flawed vehicles IMO and I would prefer a van type body but Landrovers don't seem to come with the same business advantages as pick-ups presently do, so unless I am misinformed they look to be out of the equation.

[Sixpackpert]

Buffalo said:

I know the older Ranger - preferred it over the older hi-lux (c.2001) - but have no idea if the new Ranger is any good. I was previously in North America and liked the F-150 over the full-size competition. On those experiences I am thinking of having Ranger on the list.

I do like the Amarok from a basic overview, but it is pricier. Any deals going?

The Mitsubishi seems cheapest option but I just can't warm to it. The Hi-lux is standard fare - and I may have to go for that based on it being the most common vehicle on client sites; however, it is also a little

Does anyone have any business experience of running a Disco4 commercial and/or a more informative answer on the N1 status? Pick-ups are flawed vehicles IMO and I would prefer a van type body but Landrovers don't seem to come with the same business advantages as pick-ups presently do, so unless I am misinformed they look to be out of the equation.

I'm on my second Disco 4 Commercial. Have had a bench seat fitted in the back that doesn't affect its status as a commercial vehicle and is fine for junior.

Having had L200's in the past the obvious difference is the ride quality and the finish of the vehicle, it is after all a Discovery up front and you can fully spec it out if you want so the upfront experience is as good as a HSE 'normal' Discovery. I threw the option book at my latest one as it will have to last me a while because I very much doubt the Disco 5 will be offered in Commercial form (it's not as spacious inside anyway and the styling really doesn't draw me to it any way!). Electric heated seats with armrests, heated steering wheel, adaptive lights with auto high beam, surround cameras, timed climate to make it warm up while I'm in the shower, blind spot monitors, cruise control etc etc

The Disco 4 Commercial is exactly the same as a pick up regarding BIK and claiming the VAT back. It is a commercial vehicle.

The only thing with them is that they are very expensive, my latest one topped 52k with the VAT, which we got back of course. After driving back from Glasgow to Gloucester in complete comfort it is worth it though. Doing that journey in an L200 left me crippled.

I get about 31-32mpg out of it on a good run. Insurance is a bit steep due to the value of the vehicle though.

HTH

[Jim909]

Take some test drives in all the pickups, pretty sure you will find the Amarok Is the best of the bunch, but obviously a decent spec isn't cheap, but worth it in comparison.

The limited contractor "van" of choice....

On a side note: the Amarok is nick named the "amacock" at work, I can't really say anything though as I am a cheap skate and have a fiesta van

[WilliamWoollard]

Have you considered the Mitsi Outlander commercial? I have no experience of them and I didn't even know they existed until recently. Could be worth considering if it fits your requirements.

[cowboyengineer]

You can get a mitsubishi shogun commercial too. Probably for around 24 plus vat

[mel]

I'm running an Evoque Commercial, registered as light goods at DVLA and most definitely a van as far as HMRC are concerned, the base spec was a three door prestige model plus a bucket full of options so it's quite a nice piece of kit, only negitive has been appealing tickets when parked in commercial vehicle bays.

[Buffalo]

Thanks for the mitsi and evoque options, I didn't know they existed!

I prefer van style bodies over pickups hence my initial interest in the disco4. I will check these others.

[Djtemeka]

If you are stuck for an option, my best mate who loves a few doors down is selling his ford double cab pickup. The Limited version so top range apart from the motor. Used to drop kids off at school
Strugggling to sell it as its such a small market here in London. It's a 13 plate

[VEX]

I am struggling to go the other way.

I have an Isuzu Rodeo which I enjoy, done 110k since new (6years this month) but am running out of space in the rear even with a canopy. So been looking at crew cab vans.

It was a toss up between theFord Custom (a bit common) and the Merc Vito (up market but ok for my market) but noticed last week the VW are now offering the T6 as a crew with their 4motiion package.

Now that is becoming very attractive!

V.

[Ilovejapcrap]

After having 4 x4 pickups for work I'd really think about this they are big numb and basicallly horrible IMO

What about a 4x4 van

[Junior Bianno]

Buffalo said:

Does anyone have any business experience of running a Disco4 commercial and/or a more informative answer on the N1 status? Pick-ups are flawed vehicles IMO and I would prefer a van type body but Landrovers don't seem to come with the same business advantages as pick-ups presently do, so unless I am misinformed they look to be out of the equation.

I think you've been misinformed. A Discovery Commercial is, for tax purposes, a van. The V5 clearly defines it as a Light Goods Vehicle, road tax is for a van etc. You can claim 100% of the VAT back as with any van, and if you want to run it for personal use you should pay the standard van BiK of £3000 (at basic or higher percentage as relevant). I've had two - brilliant machines. I had a Navara before that - garbage.

That being said, the cream of the current pick-up crop seems to be the new Navara which hasn't been mentioned above. It gets great reviews, and has a proper independent rear suspension.

In terms of running a vehicle through the business in a tax efficient way, I would say the best refinement v tax efficient ratio vehicles are hybrid SUVs. The Volvo XC90 twin engine seems to be very good - under 50 gms C02 so super cheap BiK and zero road tax to boot...

[roddo]

I think I've just about had them all..........

most pick-ups drive like commercials.....well that's what they are!! Most are underpowered and have the turning circle of a ship.

Go with your first gut instinct and buy a discovery 4 you will not look back👍

I'm about to buy another!!

[WilliamWoollard]

Agreed, I'm stuck with pick ups due to needing a large tow vehicle that is a manual. If I could have an auto I would get a Discovery tomorrow. They are a world apart from the pick ups, all of which are much more agricultural.