For many businesses, commercial vehicles are the backbone to their operations with light commercials such as vans and pick-ups being the workhorse choice of many businesses.
Although recent YTD new registration figures published by SMMT for commercial vehicles show a -2.7% decrease on the previous year, there is a significant growing demand for 4x4s and positive increases for mid-sized vans and pick-up Trucks [1].
What are the benefits for pick-ups?
With year-on-year increase of registered pick-up trucks, more company car drivers might be considering pick-up trucks as a viable company mobility option. The main benefit for company car drivers, comes in the form of reduced Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rates covering personal use of your company vehicle outside work.
Company Car BIK tax rates are related to the charge as a percentage of the vehicles purchase price. That percentage is then linked to CO2 emissions, so the higher the polluting vehicle, the higher the BIK tax. But with pick-ups being classified as LCVs, Commercial Vehicle BIK rates have no sliding scale, meaning the fee is fixed at just £3,170. With many manufactures significantly enhancing pick-up truck specifications, adding more luxury model lines, customers could be getting much more for less.
An attractive proposition
To understand more, we look at a comparison of two Fords.
| Make/Model | OTR Price | CO2 | BIK | 2018/19 cost per month (20%) | 2018/19 cost per month (40%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Edge Vignale 2.0 TDCI 210 AWD | £42,025 | 152g/km | 35% | £246 | £490 |
| Ford Ranger Wildtrak X 3.2 TDCI 200 AWD | £33,534 | 231g/km | Fixed rate | £56 | £112 |
In terms of specification, the Ranger Wildtrak offers the same luxuries as the Edge such as leather interior, Sat Nav, DAB, Bluetooth, SYNC 3 infotainment and communication system, heated seats, rear parking camera, privacy glass and ambient lighting making it an ideal comparison in terms of specification and performance. However, when considering CO2 this has the potential to create conflict of interest with company car policies or company ethics in terms of the environment.
Our Top 5 Pick-up Trucks
To understand more about what’s currently popular in commercial vehicles we look our top five pickup trucks taking into considerations CO2 and MPG.
1) Ford Ranger 3.2 TDCi Double Cab 4WD Wildtrak X 200ps
The Ford Ranger is currently the UK’s bestselling pickup with its 3.2 litre five pot engine offering performance, torque and efficiency. The vehicle is one of the easiest day-to-day vehicles to live with due to being heavily specified with equipment and gadgets.
CO2: 231 gCO2/km
BIK: Fixed
MPG: 31.7
2) Nissan Navara AT32 2.3DCI 190 4WD
The most eco-friendly of our selection coming in at 167g CO2/km. With its extra-large wheels, Arctic Trucks performance suspension, and an optional front differential locker, the Nissan NAVARA OFF-ROADER AT32 is built for serious action with reinforced suspension damping, 20mm increased ride high, underbody protection, 32inch off-road tyres and enhance interior and exterior styling with improved air intake snorkel.
CO2: 167 gCO2/km
BIK: Fixed
MPG: 44.8
3) Toyota Hilux Invincible X Limited Edition 2.4 150 AWD auto
The Hilux frame and body structure have been redesigned to ensure toughness, while a stronger, wider under-body offers greater protection. All the components of the Hilux are made to withstand the most rigorous tests. Included in the Invincible X is 18-inch black wheels, high-over and black side bars, 7” inch touchscreen with satnav and full black leather interior with heated seats.
CO2: 204 gCO2/km
BIK: Fixed
MPG: 39.8
4) Isuzu D-Max Yukon Luxe
Returning the best MPG out of our top five, the Isuzu’s award-winning D-Max Yukon extended cab adds a whole new level of luxury to the hardwearing, tough Isuzu D-Max. With the 18″ black shadow alloys, premium leather upgrade and pro-lift tailgate assist, this pick-up is designed to bring together style and substance to ensure you have a pleasurable journey.
CO2: 183 gCO2/km
BIK: Fixed
MPG: 44.9
5) Mercedes X-Class 250d 4MATIC 190 AWD
The world’s first truly premium pickup brings the last word in luxury to the class. The premium styling and refined comfort of the commanding X-Class completely redefines what it means to be a pick-up. Combining robust practicality with a quiet, comfortable ride, the truly luxurious cabin environment, extensive on-board connectivity and powerful ‘Mercedes me’ driver support technology makes the X-Class a complete game changer.
CO2: 207 gCO2/km
BIK: Fixed
MPG: 35.8
Look out for…
The Ford Raptor which will be coming to the UK early 2019 and was exclusively revealed by Auto Express in July 2018. Ford Performance have revealed that the ‘wild’ Ford Ranger Raptor might be coming to the UK, however it has been revealed that the performance pick-up will be coming to the UK early in 2019 priced from around £40,000.
Potentially watch this space for annoucements from Mercedes in the coming months of a rumoured X-Class AMG edition to compete with the Ford Raptor.
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