Choosing a car is a difficult decision; whether you are looking for a new super-mini or something a little more family focussed you will undoubtedly be considering several different models. If you use your car as an all-round vehicle, such as using it for work, then one of the most difficult decisions to make is whether to buy a conventional 4×4 or a pick-up truck. As one of the leading suppliers of 4×4 parts in the UK we thought we would use this special 2 part blog to compare these two vehicles side by side to try and find a decision.
Off- road ability
One of the most vital factors when choosing a workhorse vehicle is its’ ability to go anywhere; fortunately both options are very capable off road.
Pick-up Truck
The original workhorse vehicle is built to be reliable and capable and modern pick-ups stick solidly to the classic recipe very closely. With rugged under body protection and four wheel drive there really isn’t a lot of terrain that will seriously challenge a well-equipped pick-up truck. One issue that can cause problems is the lack of weight over the rear end of the vehicle, with no force pushing the rear wheels into the ground they can struggle for grip on very slippery surfaces.
4X4s
Modern 4x4s come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and abilities, but a well-outfitted 4×4 such as the Land Rover Discovery really is the king of the rough terrain. If you want a vehicle that can get you there, wherever ‘there’ may be, then a 4X4 is definitely the vehicle for you.
On-road ability
If you want a vehicle that is to be your only mode of transport then you will also want it to be able to cope on the road. On-road ability pertains to how the car behaves on the road; 15 years ago this would have been no contest as pick-up trucks simply weren’t designed with road driving in mind. However, modern pick-ups such as Volkswagens Amarok prove that they can provide you with off-road ability as well as refinement.
4×4
In recent years an increase in demand has seen 4×4 manufacturers lay a much heavier focus on the on-road characteristics of their models. The ride quality and comfort levels of a modern 4X4 such as a Range Rover are incredibly high and are comparable with the most luxurious vehicles on the market.
Pick-up Truck
As we mentioned earlier it is only very recently that Pick-Up manufacturers have begun to seriously consider the on-road abilities of their vehicles. Despite modern pickup trucks making huge leaps forward, technologically they are still nowhere close to the incredible quality presented by a modern 4X4.
So at the end of round one it seems that the 4X4 is a hair’s breadth ahead. Make sure you stay tuned to our blog for part 2, in which we look at issues such as practicality to try and find a clear winner.
If you are the proud owner of a 4X4 that is in need of one replacement piece in order to make it perfect then feel free to contact us on 01458 834930 and our friendly staff will be happy to help.