Modern pickup trucks are more capable and car-like than ever before.
Maybe you want a vehicle that can handle arduous work during the week and family duties on the weekend. Or maybe you simply need something that’ll tow heavy loads. A pickup truck will get the job done – many have torquey engines and four-wheel drive – and modern pickups hide their agricultural roots well. Some feel more luxurious than a blingy SUV!
1. Ford Ranger
- Power and torque: 170-281hp/405-697Nm
- Towing capacity: 3,500kg
- Payload (gross): 1,000-1,200kg
Much like the Volkswagen Golf in the car world, the Ford Ranger is the obvious choice for the shrewd pickup buyer. It boasts a class-leading towing capacity and the double cab model rivals family cars for space. But the plush materials and mega portrait touchscreen are more aligned to a luxury car or a futuristic EV. Lots of trim levels and immense aftermarket support mean you can have your Ranger just the way you want it.
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2. Volkswagen Amarok
- Power and torque: 170-240hp/405-600Nm
- Towing capacity: 3,500kg
- Payload (gross): 835-1,101kg
If the Volkswagen Amarok looks familiar, it’s because it shares a number of parts with the Ranger. In fact, both are built on the same production line. And that means you get toughness built in, with the sheen and desirability of the VW badge. The Amarok is a bit more expensive than the Ranger, although there’s not so much of a difference on the used market.
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3. Isuzu D-Max
- Power and torque: 164hp/360Nm
- Towing capacity: 3,500kg
- Payload (gross): 1,100-1,205kg
Isuzu only sells the D-Max pickup in the UK, but it offers plenty of choice. A utility-focused single cab model kicks things off, before the range gets progressively posher in the DL20, DL40 and V-Cross models. If for some reason you don’t think the V-Cross looks butch enough, there’s the Arctic Trucks AT35 edition – a serious off-roader without any compromises to payload or towing capacity and massive 35" tyres.
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4. KGM Musso
- Power and torque: 202hp/400-441Nm
- Towing capacity: 3,500kg
- Payload (gross): 1,095-1,205kg
Formerly the SsangYong Musso, KGM’s pickup truck is unusual for offering more than one bed length. If the standard bed is too cramped for your needs (unlikely for most buyers), there’s the Saracen+ model with an extra 40cm of loadbed. The Musso usually undercuts rival trucks and is decently premium-feeling inside.
5. Toyota Hilux
- Power and torque: 204hp/500Nm
- Towing capacity: 3,500kg
- Payload (gross): 1,040-1,085kg
The Toyota Hilux has forged a reputation for being near-enough bulletproof, partly thanks to that Top Gear episode and partly because the Hilux is the first choice for people who want to show their displeasure at their government with force. Like others on this list, the Hilux comes in a range of specifications, but many buyers go straight for the top-of-the-tree Invincible model. What’s more, keep your local Toyota dealer friendly and the Hilux is warrantied for up to 10 years.
6. Mitsubishi L200
- Power and torque: 204hp/470Nm
- Towing capacity: 3,500kg
- Payload (gross): 1,025-1,092kg
Mitsubishi is back in the UK after a few years out, returning with the Outlander SUV and the L200 pickup. Called the Triton in other markets, the L200 stands out with its butch front end and optional bright orange paint colour. Having been on sale in other parts of the world since 2023, the L200's toughness and durability aren't in doubt. There are drive modes for snow, mud, sand, rocks and gravel, plus hill descent control and a low-range gearbox. The bed fits a Euro pallet and there are steps integrated into the corner of the rear bumper.
7. GWM Poer 300
- Power and torque: 183hp/480Nm
- Towing capacity: 3,500kg
- Payload (gross): 1,000kg
Newcomer GWM has now launched its Poer 300 pickup into the UK market, and it aims to capture your attention with a low price. The entry-level Lux model is around £31,500 before VAT, yet gets leather-effect seats, keyless entry and terrain modes for snow, mud and sand. The Poer 300 is likely to feel a bit more old-school than the likes of the Ranger and Amarok, but you can’t argue with the value for money it seems to offer.
8. Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster
- Power and torque: 249-286hp/450-550Nm
- Towing capacity: 3,500kg
- Payload (gross): 835kg
The Ineos Grenadier is a tough 4x4 that’s delighted when the Tarmac runs out. So, if you need a pickup that gets the work done in remote locations, the Quartermaster version of the Grenadier fits the bill. Provided you don’t mind paying handsomely for it. Backing up the price is a rock-solid cabin, straight-six BMW-sourced engines and an unshakeable sense of adventure.
9. Maxus eTerron 9
- Power and torque: 442hp/700Nm
- Towing capacity: 3,500kg
- Payload (gross): 620kg
Maxus is one of the only brands to sell an electric pickup, and the eTerron 9 is actually its second go. But unlike the older T90 EV, the eTerron 9 has four-wheel drive and doesn’t demand so many compromises. It’s the one to go for if you’re power mad because, with dual motors and all of those horses available instantly, you can hit 0-62mph in just five seconds. Not useful for the building site, but it ensures you’ll be winning the teabreak Top Trumps.
10. BYD Shark
- Power and torque: 436hp/650Nm
- Towing capacity: 2,500kg
- Payload (gross): 790kg
A new entrant to the pickup truck market, the BYD Shark brings plug-in-hybrid power and some impressive stats. There's the mountainous shove, the 0-62mph time that matches a Honda Civic Type R, the 55.9-mile fully electric range or the promise of 80mpg – although expect both to drop quickly with a full payload or a heavy trailer. Like BYD's car range, the Shark tends to run as an electric car with the petrol engine being used as a generator or to provide assistance to the motors. The equipment list and rear-seat space is more befitting of a premium SUV than a utilitarian truck, with highlights including cooled and heated vegan leather seats, a 12-speaker sound system, a full suite of driver assistance tech and Vehicle-to-Load – letting you run power tools from the car's battery.
