The Nissan Navara is the best one-tonne pick-up in the UK. It is as comfortable as a family SUV to drive, yet hugely capable off-road with a brilliant 4x4 system. It'll also tow 3.5 tonnes and carry payloads up to a tonne in the back The seven-speed auto is smooth and promises 40+mpg, which is pretty good for a pick-up: vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/nissan/navara-np...g

The Ford Ranger matches the Nissan for carrying capacity and off-road driving. It's also available with a six-speed auto, but running costs will be much higher with the auto returning mpg in the mid-30s: vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/ford/ranger-2011/

At the budget end of the pick-up range is the SsangYong Musso. It can’t match the comfort or refinement of the Ford or Nissan, but it's a tough little workhorse and gets a five-year unlimited mileage warranty as standard. This means you get considerably more peace of mind when buying used. In comparison the Ranger gets a three year warranty, while the Navara has five years that's limited to 100,000 miles: vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/ssangyong/musso-.../