Targeting a Vehicle for Country Life
Living in the countryside has lots of advantages, and taking part in country pursuits such as shooting game, mountain biking or walking your dogs is just one of them.
Such pastimes require much more than the average family car, and you will see many SUVs in rural areas. So why choose an SUV or pickup truck?
A Navara Hardtop can cope with country roads and off-road conditions
Country roads are usually fine for most vehicles in the UK as they are maintained to a reasonable standard.
When bad weather hits and there is a lot of water on the road, or the winter brings snow and ice, a vehicle with four-wheel drive is a distinct advantage. However, in the majority of cases, travelling on UK roads does not necessitate the use of four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is when you drive off road that these vehicles come into their own.
What are your needs?
If you are keen to take part in outdoor pursuits, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is the ideal car of choice. It is wise to give some thought to how you will use your vehicle. Do you need to transport several people? Will you need room for your dogs? Are you transporting bikes? How much space do you need in the rear of the vehicle, and do you need to be able to secure this area?
Four-wheel-drive SUVs and pickups vary enormously. There are top-end, luxury family SUVs available with price tags that go beyond the £60,000 mark, such as the BMW X5 or the Porsche Cayenne SUV. These kinds of vehicles would suit the owner of a country estate rather than the keen off-road cyclist who needs his bike and spares in the back of his truck.
If you are looking for something that is in a lower price range (around the £20,000 mark), a vehicle like the Nissan Navara or the Toyota Hilux is a great option. These pickups are great value and can be very useful if you need a lot of space for your dogs or bikes. You can ride in comfort in the cabin but keep your wet dogs or muddy bikes in the back. Many pickup owners opt for a hardtop – a cover for the back of a pickup which enables them to have more comfort and security for whatever is travelling in the load area.
Additional options
Adding a hardtop means you can convert your pickup truck into something far more useful where you can keep your load dry and safely locked away. Many hardtops have ventilation, which is ideal for dogs travelling in the back.
Security is often an issue with a pickup as you may need to leave valuable items in your pickup while you are taking part in an activity. A hardtop can be securely locked to protect your belongings.
Pickups are becoming far more popular, especially with the addition of a hardtop which extends the use of the vehicle. The once lowly pickup has been transformed from a basic utility vehicle into a much-wanted SUV.
When faced with a choice of a Nissan Navara Hardtop or a BMW X5, the price tag is a serious consideration. Knowing exactly what purpose you need this type of vehicle for will help you make the right choice.
