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The best new pick-ups on sale today
(Toyota)
The humble pick-up is often seen as the workhorse of the motoring world. Rugged and capable, it provides versatility and go-anywhere performance which is why they’re a go-to option for lots of drivers.
In recent times, pick-ups have become more luxurious, but all retain that same dependability and sure-footedness that people want. We’ve picked out some of the best that are on sale today.
Ford Ranger
(Ford)
Ford’s trusty Ranger is a solid option in the pick-up segment. It’s available with a variety of different specifications, ranging from trims such as Stormtrak to the ultra-adventurous Raptor. They’ve all rugged and dependable, however, with a series of strong yet efficient diesel engines.
Best Dual-Cab 4x4 Ute 2021: Towing and payload
Comparison
A dual-cab 4x4 ute’s main role is to carry up to five occupants, plenty of gear in the tray and a heavy trailer behind it without fuss. More than any other vehicle segment – except perhaps large 4x4 off-road wagons when suited up for expedition work – the importance of not exceeding legal loading weights is a major issue with dual-cabs. If you plan to use a 4WD dual-cab ute to the limit of its load carrying and towing limit claims, you may come undone – both legally and literally on the side of the road.
As expected, new vehicle sales in Australia during April 2021 were very positive, with VFACTS new vehicle registration figures, handed out today, confirming the numbers as the best April on record.
During April 2021, Australian consumers snapped up 92,347 vehicles. That’s up a whopping 137.2 per cent on April last year. But that is unsurprising considering that, during April last year, we were essentially at base camp looking up at the daunting peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In other words, nobody was interested in buying cars. In fact, just 38,926 new vehicles were registered. The latest figures also confirm a 30.7 per cent increase on year-to-date (YTD) efforts.
When the going gets tough. Isuzu hopes to make hay due to a paucity of natural rivals
In America, the Far East or Australia you’ll find they don’t do vans much, preferring instead pickups (or, as they call them, trucks and utilities). In the UK, where almost one in four commercial vehicles is a Ford Transit, the pickup market has gone through vicissitudes of popularity dictated by fashion and favourable tax treatment, as well as the availability of vehicles.
At the moment, there’s a distinct shortage as several manufacturers have chosen to take their bats home including: Fiat (Fullback); Mercedes-Benz (X-class); Nissan (Navara); Mitsubishi (L200); and Volkswagen (Amarok). This mass desertion of the field is explained in part when you learn that the Fullback was a rehashed L200, the X-class a Navara and that VW will be back with a rebodied Ford Ranger before long.