The 5 best pickup trucks to buy in 2021

If you're after a new pickup truck, the good news is the variety to choose from is huge. Indeed, if anything, it can be hard even to know where to start. To help, our team of new van experts here at Vansdirect has scanned this marketplace so you don't have to. Here's our pick of the top five pickups available right now.

Best pickups for sale 2021

If you want a practical vehicle for your business with good load-carrying capacity that also doubles up as a family transporter for the weekends, a pickup could provide the perfect solution. These models are also tax-efficient in that double-cab versions with payloads of at least a tonne are classed as commercial vehicles, and so they qualify for a fixed-rate of Benefit-in-Kind tax.

Here's our personal countdown of five of the best:

5) Land Rover Discovery Commercial pickup

The Discovery Commercial is an excellent addition to the already extensive pickup market. Offering a comfortable, refined drive with a top-notch interior, it turns one of the best SUVs around into a light commercial vehicle by removing the back seats. It's a capable four-wheel drive that certainly doesn't look like a regular delivery van.

Be warned, however, that it's not the cheapest model available, and it prioritises looks and car-style comfort over load practicality. But it means you can pay fixed-rate commercial vehicle tax on it, and you get a maximum payload of 891kg alongside a towing capacity of up to 3,500kg.

4. Nissan Navara pickup

In 2019, the Navara scooped the Pickup of the Year honour at the inaugural Great British Fleet Awards. It already had a name for itself as a tough contender that gets the job done, but a 2019 facelift made the model even better with a revised chassis and suspension set-ups increasing comfort on the road, while new engines made driving smoother. With payloads up to 1,315kg, the Navara can tow up to 3.5 tonnes when it's connected to a braked trailer.

• Read a full review of this pickup here

3. Mercedes X-Class pickup

This is based on the Navara, giving you peace of mind that it offers superior levels of performance, but it builds on this with some of the best levels of luxury you'll find in this segment. Rugged off-road driving and a class-leading towing capacity are combined with a quiet, comfortable motoring experience, a top-quality cabin and some of the latest Mercedes vans tech. This model takes payloads up to 1,140kg and has a 3.5-tonne towing capacity when hooked to a braked trailer.

• Read a full review of this pickup here

2. Ford Ranger pickup

The Ford Ranger is the UK's top-selling pickup truck, and you'll find it's a fantastic all-rounder, on and off road. Benefit from a huge range of driver-assistance technologies, available for an array of scenarios. It comes with new, more powerful engines and is more economical than it was previously, while an advanced new transmission is ideal for adapting to changing terrains and conditions.

The latest version offers payloads of up to 1,296kg, and can tow up to 3.5 tonnes when hooked to a braked trailer.

• Read a full review of this pick-up here

1. Mitsubishi L200 pickup

The Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 is a great all-round pickup truck that runs smoothly over the most demanding terrain so sits firmly at the top of its market. With a strong, rugged body plus a roomy, comfortable cabin, it boasts a string of the newest safety features and superb performance whether you're driving on or off road.

What's more, unlike some of its top-spec competitors, the L200 Barbarian X is classed as a car for speed limit purposes, since it weighs less than 2,040kg so that you can legally drive at over 60mph on a motorway, which (technically at least) is not the case with some of its rivals.

As if all this wasn't enough, you also get the segment's best load-carrying capability - the model offers payloads of up to 1,150kg plus the L200 can tow up to 3.5 tonnes when hooked to a braked trailer.

• Read a full review of this pickup here

Great deals on pickup trucks from Vansdirect

We're here to help you find the best truck for your needs, and offer an extensive range of brand-new pick-ups for sale, all available with excellent-value finance options to choose from, including van leasing, contract hire and van hire purchase. Just fill in the online contact form or give us a call to get things moving.