Pick-up Roundup: The Best Pickup Trucks in the Philippines

Once upon a time, a truck was purely a work vehicle. Built to withstand extreme loads and terrain and still be fresh enough to work some more, these workhorses were fitted with very little in the way of creature comforts, and they were fitted with effectively cart springs which made them very durable but very harsh.

Now, we’ve got trucks that ride on air cushions, have large infotainment screens with Android Auto, and even Level 1 Autonomous Driving. They’ve certainly come a long way since those early days.

But in this world of tarted-up trucks and posh pickups, which suits your lifestyle best? 

Nissan Navara PRO-4X

When the Nissan NP300 Navara launched in 2015, it turned the market on its head by offering the first compact Pickup truck with fully independent suspension. Touted as a truck that could be both the comfortable family car and the workhorse for the job site, the Navara has gone all this time with only cosmetic changes, culminating in the 2022 Nissan Navara PRO-4X, supposedly a rival to trucks like the Ranger Wildtrack.

Fitted with pretty much the same 2.5-liter turbodiesel inline-4 and mated to the same 7-speed automatic as it launched with, the Navara still has the same reliable and robust 190 PS and 450 Newton-meters of torque, perfectly adequate for getting out of a tight spot when you’re offroad. Once on the streets, the shifting is still silky smooth as always, and power delivery is smooth but not boring. 

Where this old engine does fall, though, is fuel consumption, of which the Navara can only muster 18 kilometers per liter on the highway and 7 in the city. It isn’t as sophisticated as its rivals' newer engines and management systems.

Inside, the PRO-4X is much removed from where the old Navara stood. The Zero-Gravity seats remain, but they’ve now covered in handsomely textured upholstery that adds to the truck's rugged vibe. Unlike the first batch of Navaras to make it to the Philippines, this latest Navara comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility Suite, which gives the Navara all the safety features that Nissan can throw at it, such as automated braking assist, collision warning system, 360-degree cameras, and driver alertness sensing. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.

At just a hair under ₱1,500,000, the Navara PRO-4X is definitely a great truck of all trades.

2022 Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Recently launched this year, the Next-Generation Ford Ranger redefined itself to suit an ever-changing market.

While waiting for the all-new Ranger Raptor, which promises to have an all-new engine and drivetrain, the Ranger Wildtrak is the highest trim level the off-roading Ford Enthusiast can order, and it’s quite laden with the latest technology 2022 has to offer.

Under the hood, the Ranger Wildtrak comes with Ford’s Bi-turbo 2.0-liter diesel engine, pumping out 210 PS and 500 Newton-meters of torque – a far cry from some of the other trucks in this segment. Mated to a 10-speed automatic, the Ranger Wildtrak shifts smoothly, you hardly notice. Unlike a CVT, though, the 10-speed automatic is far more efficient at putting the power down.

Inside, the Ranger Wildtrak comes with one of the largest screens fitted to a pickup today, sporting an absolutely massive 12” portrait touchscreen filling most of the center console. That pane of glass isn’t without function, of course, as it’s not only your main infotainment screen, which comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but also the screen for your 360-degree camera system. It even has two 230-volt inverters so you can plug in small appliances when out in the wild. Comfort is even a premium in this trim level, thanks to the 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat.

On top of the 360-degree camera, the Ranger Wildtrak also gets some first-in-its-class features – adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, and even lane centering. What that translates to is Level 1 autonomous driving – in layperson’s terms, this car can drive itself in specific scenarios. 

Of course, all this comes at a cost, which is ₱1,885,000. If that’s too dear for you, Ford has decided to offer this generation of Ranger with a variant to suit nearly any budget you may have, albeit with some (or all) of the nice features removed.

Isuzu D-Max

The Isuzu D-Max is one of Isuzu’s two commercial offerings, the other being its SUV sibling, the mu-X. However, this new generation of D-Max is still the best option for those looking for a pickup using their thinker’s hat.

Unlike the Ranger, it doesn’t have fancy gadgetry designed to sell the car. Instead, it comes only with the features you need the most, which include a whole suite of safety features designed to keep you as safe as possible while you’re on the road. While it may not come with something as fancy as autonomous driving, it does come with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and even turn-to-assist and parking aid.

On the dashboard, you still get a sizable 10” infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apply CarPlay, as well as Isuzu’s Smart Duo Cam, which maps and monitors the road ahead of you for potential hazards.

Under the hood, the D-Max gets the latest 3.0L turbo diesel engine from Isuzu, making 190 PS and 450 Newton-meters of torque. It’s mated to a 6-speed automatic, which helps it achieve an average fuel consumption of nearly 20 kilometers per liter, not the best, but not the worst. According to some independent sources, the D-Max can even make it up to 25 kilometers per liter, but that’s hypermiling the truck on the highway, quite unrealistic given how unpredictable driving can be.

Still, the D-Max is the one you buy if you need it to work for you, and it does.

Ford F-150

The larger-than-life Ford F-150 is Ford’s answer to buyers who think the Ranger is still too small. Measuring nearly 6 meters long and 2 meters wide, the F-150 is the very definition of a road hog, barely fitting in the lanes, much less the alleyways and access roads that crisscross the Metro. 

Still, the F-150 exudes a luxury unrivaled in the pickup market, matched only by other American pickups in our country. With its 3.0-liter Turbodiesel V6 and 10-speed automatic, this heavy highway cruiser gets up to 12 kilometers per liter on the highway but only 7 in the city. 

If you’re thinking of dropping a cool ₱3,500,000 for this thing, you’re not buying it for its fuel economy. 

Chief among the F-150’s party tricks is the interior. Arguably one of the plushest interiors in a pickup, the Supercrew Lariat variant that we get in the country is the top trim level you can get in the F-150; that isn’t the Raptor. Leather everywhere and not a hint of hard-touch plastic in sight, the F-150 understands that even if you’re buying it to be a workhorse, you still need your respite from the stress outside. A dual moonroof, voice recognition, Bang&Oluffsen stereo system, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included in this truck as standard. 

As for safety features, the F-150 comes with all the things the Ranger Wildtrak comes with, and many more besides - speed sign recognition, evasive steering assist, and intersection assist help keep the driving safe along with Level 1 autonomous driving for the F-150. Aside from that, you also get trailer sway control, a forward sensing system, and a towing package for those with adventurous lifestyles.

This larger-than-life F-150 may seem like a big purchase, but it’s not targeted at people who need a pickup. It’s targeted at those who want a pickup with a specific need in mind and more money than they know what to do with.

Ram TRX

If what you need is 700 horsepower is what you need, then maybe what you’re looking for is the Ram TRX. The F-150’s ₱3,500,000 price tag begins to look like an absolute bargain next to this thing’s nearly ₱9,000,000 asking price. But what you get for that kind of money is a 4x4 pickup with desert racing tires that can blow the doors off most sports cars, despite weighing nearly twice as much as a Toyota Supra. 

Inside, you are greeted by a menacing aura, quite fitting for the TRX as it is supposed to be the more menacing Hellcat. Whether or not that's something you can live with on a day-to-day basis is another story, though.

Creature comforts for the TRX are still present; however, don't expect the same level of luxury as you might get in the F-150. While you might get the same Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, you lose out on Level 1 autonomous driving, but that's not a big loss considering that it isn't really designed to be used in our narrow streets.

Besides, all those millions are buying the roaring beast under the hood - a 6.22-liter Supercharged HEMI V8 pumping 702 rampaging horses through an 8-speed Automatic Transmission. 

Forget comparing it to stuff that can haul lumber; all you need to know about the TRX is that it hauls ass and looks good doing it. 

Maxus T60

“But Mark, I don't have nearly ₱2,000,000, let alone nine. I need something that I can use that fits in my humble budget.”

Well, the Maxus T60 is probably something you should consider. It may not be the cheapest truck, but it’s arguably one of the best-equipped trucks under one million Pesos. You get a base two-wheel drive manual with a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine making a respectable 150 PS and 360 Newton-meters of torque. 

At ₱330,000 cheaper than its 4x4 sibling, the T60 4x2 gets fabric seats (which may sound like a downgrade but will be less toasty after sitting in the sun all day), manually adjusted seats for both driver and passenger, and only four speakers with no keyless ignition. 

As for infotainment, you don’t lose anything, as all variants of this particular truck get USB, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay. Sadly, no Android Auto, but that’s still an impressive list of features for something that costs less than ₱1,000,000.

As our cheapest option on this list, the Maxus shows us that everyday luxury is quite affordable, and we don’t need to shell out the big bucks to get what we need and no more.

Toyota Hilux

There are 195 countries worldwide, and all know what the Toyota Hilux is. From its inception to its latest iteration, the Hilux has been given the moniker of “Indestructible” thanks to its legendary reliability, unprecedented ruggedness, and dependability in the harshest situations nature offers. 

Let’s not forget that the Hilux was the first commercially available vehicle to make it to the magnetic North Pole, and if it could do that, the Hilux can surely handle whatever the man- or woman about town can ask of it.

Under the hood of the 4x4 Hilux is Toyota’s 2.8-liter turbodiesel inline-four engine that pumps out 204 PS and 500 Newton-meters of torque, while the 4x2 Hilux is powered by the smaller 2.4. By no means, though, is that underpowered, making 150 PS and 400 Newton-meters of torque. Mated to these engines is a six-speed transmission, either in automatic or manual guise. Each gear can make the most of the engine’s power and torque, giving the Hilux very potent acceleration while maintaining a decent cruising speed. 

The fuel consumption of the Hilux is also very respectable, getting an average of 7.5 kilometers per liter in the city and up to 14 on the highway. You could potentially extend that with hypermiling, but those figures are fine for everyday road use.

Where the Hilux might fall is in the comfort department. Of course, you don’t buy a pickup truck to be comfortable, but the Hilux has a reputation among buyers for having a harsher ride than most, often being the only complaint some buyers have. 

Features wise, the Hilux comes with an 8” infotainment screen, Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, as well as a host of Toyota’s safety software, like Pre-Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, as well as a host of other safety and comfort features to help you stay on top of your game.

Finally, the Hilux is arguably one of the more expensive pickups on our list, going from ₱1,156,000 to just a hair under ₱2,000,000. That said, it’s common knowledge for car buyers that resale value is why you buy Toyota, and once you trade up, you’ll get back most of that initial investment. And that resale value alone makes the Hilux a worthwhile option

Mazda BT-50

Quite a left-field choice would be the Mazda BT-50, priced at ₱1,390,000 to ₱1,858,000. Unlike mainstream alternatives, the Mazda BT-50 is possibly one of the prettiest pickups available today, with lines that look more at home on the MX-5 than on a high-riding 4x4. Spec the Pangolin Edition II, though, and you get the rugged off-roader you want, but still with the slim, feline-like headlights of Mazda’s Kodo design philosophy. 

Inside the BT-50, you find a well-thought-out combination of soft materials and hard plastic, the former on all the touch surfaces and the latter on all the rest. You end up with a comfortable place to sit and a reliable ride, too, thanks to its shared platform with Isuzu’s D-Max.

Unlike the D-Max, though, you only get a 9” LCD screen, not the 10” you find in the D-Max. You still get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but without Isuzu’s safety suite, all Mazda offers is lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning.

What the BT-50 has that the D-Max can’t match, however, is Mazda’s class-leading 5-year free service plan, which makes all parts and labor services free for the first five years of ownership. Having no worry about servicing makes the Mazda an enticing prospect.