As we spend so many hours in the tractor cab, the run-around farm vehicle may not always be top of the priority list for farmers and contractors.
Yet the pickups and four-wheel-drives remain a key tool for navigating rural areas, checking in on workers and moving material from farm to field, either in the cargo bed or on a trailer.
Comfort is important, but more so is the vehicle’s ability to handle a wide range of conditions – whether it’s moving straight off the main road into a rutted gateway or pulling itself out of that one wet patch on the headland.
And the market is always shifting, with new companies coming into the UK and others pulling out of the four-wheel-drive trade, meaning there is a consistent stream of new models and updates coming through the pipeline.
As you’ll see below, the updates are often focused on driver assistance, with greater levels of technology being integrated across the range.
However, with each new generation, there are tweaks and improvements to the off-road capabilities, with higher ground clearance, new suspension systems and multiple transmission options.
Dacia
The latest Dacia Duster, which will launch in the UK later this year, can be specified with four-wheel drive and the latest Terrain Control transmission.
This includes five driving modes so the vehicle can be adjusted to suit conditions. Auto mode distributes power between the front and rear axles according to the wheel grip and speed; Snow optimises traction controls for slippery roads, and Mud/Sand does this for unsteady terrain
Off-Road mode provides top performance levels for tough terrain, with automatic distribution of torque between the front and rear, and Eco optimises fuel consumption by adjusting air conditioning and adapting torque levels for greater efficiency.
Ground clearance is 217mm between the axles, said to be the highest on the market, and the front axle can pivot up to 31deg, with 36deg of movement at the rear to overcome obstacles.
The new Duster is completed with hill descent control.
Ford
According to Ford, every other pickup truck sold in 2022 was a Ranger, and the company offers seven different variants of the machine, starting with the single-cab XL model and double-cab XLT, moving up through the Wildtrak, Platinum, Tremor, Wildtrak X and Raptor machines.
The latest Wildtraks are offered with a choice of two-litre bi-turbo power unit, or the latest Ford three-litre V6 engine, each working through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Four-wheel drive is electronically controlled, with intelligent distribution of power between the front and rear axles, and there are up to six driving modes available, with Eco maximising fuel economy, Tow Haul optimising the vehicle for trailer work, Slippery reducing wheel spin in difficult conditions, and Mud, Ruts and Sand adapting power delivery and grip for off-road work.
Additionally, the cargo bed has been extended to fit a Euro pallet, with a rear box-step integrated into the body for safety when moving materials in the rear.
Isuzu
Launched last year, the new-look D-Max features fresh styling at the front grille across the range, and new wheel designs for the All-Purpose and Adventure specifications. Business vehicles retain the steel wheels from the previous generation.
Two new colours have also been added to the portfolio, with Dolomite White replacing Pearl White for the V-Cross and Biarritz Blue taking the place of Sapphire on DL40 and V-Cross machines.
Business models retain the cloth interior, while the DL20 has a woven fabric interior and the DL40 and V-Cross feature leather upholstery. It isn’t just aesthetic changes, however, as manual four-wheel-drive Utility models are now available with a rear differential lock.
Each variant within the D-Max range comes with a host of driver assistance systems, including cruise control, hill start assist and descent control, trailer sway control and stop and start.
Looking at the flagship V-Cross, customers also benefit from climate control, a 4.2in screen, parking sensors and a reversing camera.
Toyota
Toyota’s Hilux is available with a 2.4- or 2.8-litre diesel engine, with a six-speed gearbox fitted to both.
They also have front and rear suspension, up to 310mm of ground clearance when fitted with the double cab, increasing to 330mm with the GR Sport II package, and competitive angles for departure and entry when travelling over rough terrain.
The latest models have been fitted with automatic electronic control in place of a mechanical limited-slip differential to provide traction on low-grip surfaces.
This works in addition to active traction control, and Hilux machines also feature hill start assist control and downhill assist control.
Moving away from pickup trucks, the new Land Cruiser is powered by a 2.8-litre diesel engine, with a mild hybrid model joining the portfolio next year.
It’s the first model in the range to feature electric power steering and a disconnecting anti-roll bar system.
An eight-speed automatic transmission puts power to the ground, with permanent all-wheel drive and multi-terrain select to automatically adjust steering, drive force and hydraulic brake control depending on conditions.
Volkswagen
Developed around a longer wheelbase than its predecessor, the new Amarok double-cab pickup can hold a Euro pallet sideways in the cargo bed, with a load capacity of 1.113t.
At the same time, legroom has been increased for passengers in the second row of seats. Towing capacity is rated at 3,500kg.
Four engine setups are available, running from a two-litre TDI up to the three-litre V6 engine, with transmission options ranging from a six-speed manual box to a 10-speed automatic, depending on the engine chosen.
Up to six driving modes are available, based on the configuration chosen, with options for off-road driving in mud and sand, towing a trailer or operating in slippery conditions.
Regardless of the model, 4Motion all-wheel drive is included as standard.
There are 20 new driver assistance features available in the new generation, including adaptive cruise control with intelligent speed assist, park assist and area view.