A pickup truck is an incredibly versatile workhorse. Pickups can cope with off-roading, towing and the demands of company car drivers. Yet, they are also able to provide family motoring and some even get close to the refinement of SUVs. Running costs are generally higher than those of SUVs and the driving experience is quite different, so choosing a pickup as a new car or used buy needs careful consideration. Here’s our pick of the best vehicles in the pickup sector.
Best Pickup Trucks for 2025
- Ford Ranger (2023-)
- Ford Ranger Raptor (2023-)
- Isuzu D-Max (2021-)
- SsangYong Musso (2018-)
- Toyota Hilux (2016-)
- Volkswagen Amarok (2023-)
- Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster (2024-)
Ford Ranger (2023-)
The Ford Ranger is class-leading in the new car market for pick-ups and also as a used buy, and it’s no wonder it’s a favourite among company owners looking to cut down on their VAT. Ford offers a wide variety of body styles, with everything from the commercial vehicle favourites of single cab and chassis cab models, to a double cab that offers enough practicality to turn the Ranger into a family car for five. There are also different trim levels to choose from - from basic entry-level XL trim to top-spec Wildtrak and Platinum variants - so it’s easy to tailor the Ford to be one of the best pickup trucks going.
For the 2025 model, power comes from either a turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine with 170bhp or 205bhp with six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic gearboxes respectively, a 3.0-litre diesel V6 with 240bhp and the 10-speed auto, or a 2.3-litre 277bhp plug-in hybrid, again with the 10-speed auto. Good handling, above-average comfort, and its 3.5-tonne towing capabilities make the Ranger a tough act to beat.
Ford Ranger Review
Ford Ranger Raptor (2023-)
The Raptor deserves a separate entry from the rest of the Ford Ranger line-up because it’s a very different proposition. Where most Rangers are designed as a working vehicle, the Raptor is all about performance. It mixes either a 292bhp twin-turbo V6 petrol engine or a 213bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine with suspension and tyres designed for competitive off-road racing. It’s quick off the mark, but don’t think it will stay with hot hatches in the corners. Head off-road, however, and nothing this side of a modified Land Rover will keep up.
The latest Raptor has what Ford calls a ‘Baja’ mode for even more extreme off-road ability. Inside, this Raptor has a large infotainment system with a central screen similar to that in a Tesla, so you can access music and apps through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, and you even get sporty leather seats and a leather steering wheel.
Isuzu D-Max (2021-)
Isuzu doesn’t hold back when it comes to the number of configurations it offers with the D-Max. There’s something to suit everyone here, and you can choose between two- and four-wheel drive. It’s also good value and very well equipped in most forms, plus there’s a long list of safety equipment that earns the D-Max a five-star Euro NCAP rating.
On the road, the Isuzu is not as good to drive as a Ford Ranger and the 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine has its work cut out to keep things moving at a reasonable pace when towing or using the full payload capacity of its load bed. Still, it can tow up to 3.5-tonnes and it’s excellent off the road. The cabin is also one of the most comfortable and spacious in this class. Like the idea of the D-Max, but want something cheaper? Well, why not check out the used pickup market? There you can find pickups that are no longer available new like the Mitsubishi L200 and Nissan Navara, both of which make excellent used buys.
Isuzu D-Max Review
SsangYong/KGM Musso (2018-)
The Musso — originally a Ssangyong, but more recently a KGM, after the Korean manufacturer’s rebrand — may be pitched as a more affordable pickup on the automotive market, but don’t think there’s anything cut-price about it. It comes with a superb seven-year warranty as standard, as well as a double-cab interior with generous amounts of space and equipment. It will also lug a 3.5-tonne trailer with ease and it’s more than able to deal with muddy, rough terrain.
Where the Musso does fall behind its rivals is with on-road refinement. The 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine is now up to 199bhp, so it has plenty of pulling power, but it’s noisy compared to most rivals, and it’s not particularly fuel-efficient. You’ll also find the ride in the Musso very bouncy unless there’s quite a bit of cargo in the load bay, which can carry up to 1,140kg, and MPG figures aren’t up there with the best either. As a cost-effective beast of burden, the Musso works, but there are better family-biased rivals out there.
Ssangyong Musso Review
Toyota Hilux (2016-)
The Toyota Hilux has a thoroughly well-earned reputation as one of the toughest and most reliable workhorses there is. This has made it a huge hit with farmers, forestry workers, builders, and anyone else who relies on their vehicle for their livelihood. However, Toyota also offers the Hilux in more lifestyle-leaning versions, such as the Invincible X and GR Sport versions that come as four-door double-cab models.
The 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine offers 150bhp, but it can feel a shade underpowered, so the 204bhp 2.8-litre diesel is the better choice. Neither is as refined as a Ford Ranger’s engines, but the Hilux can still haul a 3.5-tonne trailer or carry up to a tonne in its load bay with ease. It will also shrug off driving on demanding terrain and will always get you home. Toyota is so confident of this it offers a warranty of up to 10 years and 100,000 miles, providing you have your car serviced at a franchised dealer every year.
Toyota Hilux Review
Volkswagen Amarok (2023-)
The Amarok took a different tack from other pickup trucks when it arrived in 2010. Rather than go all-out for a rugged, workmanlike machine, Volkswagen made it feel more like an SUV. It was a stroke of genius and made the Amarok an instant hit thanks to the comfortable, car-like way it drove. Volkswagen has stuck with that ethos for the all-new model, launched in 2023. It's actually based on the Ford Ranger, which means it shares that pickup's 3.5-tonne towing capacity and choice of 2.0-litre four-cylinder or 3.0-litre V6 diesel engines.
Climb up into the cabin and you could also be in a Ranger save for the VW steering wheel and a few detail changes to the controls. However, with Ford leading the pickup pack in 2023, VW has at least chosen a good partner as a base for the latest Amarok.
Volkswagen Amarok Review
Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster (2024-)
Many of our pick-ups here will do pretty well off-road — but if your pick-up needs to tackle some seriously rough terrain, there really is very little that will do it better than the Quartermaster. Ineos designed the Grenadier SUV, of which the Quartermaster is a derivative, as a modern-day replacement for the old Land Rover Defender. And with that in mind, they equipped it with heavily engineered transmission and suspension parts, and a host of equipment to help it plug mud properly.
It does come with a few downsides, though. With its relatively low payload, the Quartermaster falls short of the 1,000kg threshold to allow it to qualify as a commercial vehicle (and therefore, for the tax breaks that come with that status). It’s also pretty difficult to drive on the road, thanks to its vague steering and tiring ride quality. It’s happiest off the road, then — so if you need a pick-up that can yomp across field, up hill and down dale, it’s still worth a look.