What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide

On the face of it, sales of new light commercial vehicles got off to an encouraging start in 2021 with January registrations up 2% year-on-year to reach 24,029.However, the increase was driven entirely by growth in the 2.5t to 3.5t sector, covering the medium and large vans that are currently in high demand for home deliveries. All other segments of the market saw a fall in registrations, with pick-ups and 4x4 LCVs no exception – down 25.8% to 2,550 and 30.6% to 93, respectively.

Although the UK’s most popular pick-up truck, the Ford Ranger, was the UK’s seventh best-selling LCV in January with 1,027 sold, the segment has been in decline for some time, with low-emission zones and regulations obliging manufacturers to cut the average emissions of their model ranges, likely taking their toll.

Sales of pick-up trucks fell by 32.7% year-on-year to 35,691 last year. 

The Ford Ranger was way out in front with 13,097 registrations, ahead of the Toyota Hilux (5,927), which leapfrogged the Nissan Navara (4,730) and soon to be departed Mitsubishi L200 (5,456) to take second spot. 

The outgoing Isuzu D-Max (3,154) completed the top five.

Both the Hilux and D-Max will be boosted by the arrival of new versions in 2021. While the Hilux just gets a facelift, it does include a new engine. The new 2.8-litre 200hp drivetrain will exclusively power the flagship Invincible X, with either six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions, and will also be available on the Invincible version alongside the existing 2.4-litre, 150hp unit.

Toyota says trucks with more powerful engines with outputs of at least 175hp dominate the UK pick-up market and acknowledges that the company needs to up its game in the lifestyle market. The 2.8-litre drivetrain increases torque from 400Nm to 500Nm compared with the 2.4-litre version, and reduces the 0–62mph sprint from 12.8 to 10.1 seconds. Toyota claims C0₂ emissions on the WLTP combined cycle rise only marginally, from a minimum 241g/km to 246g/km, while fuel consumption also remains similar, going from 28.5mpg to 28.8mpg.

New features with the facelift include an 8in touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the Icon grade upwards, front and rear parking sensors from Invincible upwards, and an updated navigation system and JBL Premium sound system for the Invincible X.

The flagship model also boasts ambient interior lighting, a unique front grille and bumper, black front head lamps, skid plate and black 18in alloy wheels.

The next generation Isuzu D-Max keeps the 1.9-litre 164hp engine introduced in the current model in 2017 but will now require Ad blue to meet the latest emission requirements. 

Isuzu is placing the new D-Max in three categories: Utility, All Purpose and Adventure. Utility consists of a 4x2 single-cab, 4x4 single-cab, extended-cab and double-cab (both 4x4). All of these have a six-speed manual gearbox.

All Purpose encompasses the DL20 extended-cab with manual gearbox and two double-cabs, one manual and one with a new six-speed automatic transmission, and the DL40, comprising manual and automatic double cabs.

The ‘DL’ indicates a selectable differential lock, which Isuzu says delivers better traction off-road than a limited slip differential. The differential lock is standard on all but Utility.