IAN TON KIN
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TOYOTA HILUX Engine: 3.0-kr-, Transmission: five-speed automatic GVW: 2,980kg Load volume: 2.1m2 Tested: 3 September
The market for 4x4 commercial vehicles in 2009 was characterised by slow sales and very little by way of new models. But that's not to say that there wasn't any excitement. CM tested a total of four models, including three pickups Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50 and Toyota Hiluxand an SUV-based light commercial vehicle (LCV) from Citroen called the C-Crosser.
We kick things off with the first 4x4 test of the yearthe £18,500 Citroen C-Cross Enterprise VTR+.
Originally designed as a lifestyle SUV, the C-Crosser has all the luxuries you'd expect, minus the back seats and a regular boot.
On test, we were impressed with the C-Crosser's all-round abilities, from fuel consumption (42.1mpg laden) to on/off-road dynamics, and not forgetting payload (743kg) and load volume (2.3m3). Despite its 'all-rounder' aims, we felt the C-Crosser was a little bit too niche and job-specific, so it didn't make the honours board this year.
Also missing out on a CM rosette was the facehfted Ford Ranger Wildtrak, which arrived in November.
This is Ford's range-topping pickup, and we were immediately taken with the latest exterior styling tweaks, including wraparound headlights, big, glossy, 18-inch alloy wheels, plus a redesigned grille and taillights.
The Wildtrak is an immensely strong LCV, so whether you're overtaking drivers doing 35mph in the middle lane of the motorway, or powering up the 16% gradient of Titsey Hill, all it takes is a hard stab on the accelerator to get the Ranger surging forward.
While the Ranger's exterior elicits a degree of excitement, the interior is a bit of an anticlimax. Make no mistake, we like heated leather seats as much as the next person, but the fascia, dashboard and controls have not changed much, and the sea of grey and black plastic does little to enhance the Ranger's premium feel.
Ultimately, though, the Ranger missed out on the winner's circle because it failed to complete the testing process due to a mechanical fault that manifested itself on the off-road circuit at the Longcross test track.
Instead, we chose the Mazda BT-50 as our highly commended vehicle in the 4x4/pickup category because it offered one of the best on/off-road combinations on the market.
The Mazda, with its 1.1-tonne payload, performed admirably and we liked its powerful 3.0-litre engine and the high levels of build quality, but the interior and exterior styling did let it down a bit.
A good pickup, yes, but there was one better the Toyota Hilux Invincible. The exterior was attractive, the 3.0-litre engine was powerful and reasonably economical, the interior felt classy, and its on-road dynamics were tops.
Off-road performance was a given; there's not much that'll stop the Hilux.
The contenders: Ford Ranger: Toyota Hilux; Mazda BT-50: Citroen C-Crosser Enterprise