Would a pick-up truck be suitable for off-roading and city driving?

Following your advice five years ago, I purchased an old Range Rover Sport - which I loved and was very practical with a reasonable amount of off road use. Rather rashly, but sensing some expensive repairs on the horizon, I chopped it in for a run out model of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate about 18 months ago. I have been underwhelmed with the E-Class. While it's good for the 80 per cent of long distance motoring I do, it is not at all practical for the 20 per cent of off roading that I still do. I'm not in a position to trade back up to a Range Rover Sport or new Land Rover Discovery yet, so I've been considering changing to a double cab and canopy pick-up. I have about £15,000 - £20,000 to spend until the Range Rover Sport comes back into reach. Is that sensible for the balance of on road/off road driving I do? What would be most comfortable for the on road miles, assuming all the pick-ups are likely to be more than capable of the occasional off road stuff?

Asked on 28 September 2017 by Stephen Montague

Answered by Dan Powell
Pick-ups are very capable when it comes to off-roading. Most feature selectable four-wheel drive and high and low ratio gears, which means they'll have little trouble tackling muddy fields, farm tracks and wintery B roads. On the downside, pick-ups are generally thirsty on fuel and a little cumbersome to use in town. The Nissan Navara is the most-refined pick-up you can buy, but your budget will only stretch to a low spec model on a 2016 plate. vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/nissan/navara-np.../

If buying used, I’d add the Ford Ranger to your list: vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/ford/ranger-2011/

If refinement isn’t high on your list of priorities, you might want to consider the SsangYong Musso: it’s capable off-road, backed by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and available (as new) for under £20,000. vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/ssangyong/musso-.../
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