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Personal farm vehicles now take many forms, including 4x4s, SUVs and pick-up trucks from Toyota, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Volkswagen, and once ubiquitous Land Rover Defender. New vehicle reports, first-drives and comparative group tests help you evaluate the best for road and off-road use.

Latest 4x4 articles

4X4S

Wylfa Hardtops offers bespoke aluminium pickup canopies

There is a new business in the pickup accessory game that builds a range of ag-focused canopies from its base in Corwen, Denbighshire. Founded by fabricator Sion Donnelly, Wylfa Hardtops…

4X4S

Ford unveils tax-friendly two-seat Ranger Double Cab pickup

Ford has come up with a two-seat version of its popular Ranger double-cab pickup, ostensibly to provide a dedicated dry storage area within the cabin. But the newcomer also follows…

4X4S

Three-phase battery kit offers alternative to diesel generators

Clayton Power has introduced a 400V three-phase battery system that can do the job of a large diesel generator. The E-gen setup is designed to sit in the back of…

4X4S

Latest Isuzu D-Max gets bigger engine and slicker transmission

A long-awaited engine upgrade has been introduced for the Isuzu D-Max that promises to improve acceleration and pulling power. The new 2.2-litre power plant puts out a healthy 400Nm of…

4X4S

On test: Defender Hard Top is comfortable all-rounder

Say what you like about the “new” Defender but the omnipresence of 90s, 110s and, to a lesser extent, 130s on UK roads suggests it has been a hit for…

4X4S

Denza takes on established 4x4s with 677hp B5 hybrid

Chinese brand Denza will test the resolve of Toyota and Land Rover when it officially launches its heavy-duty 4x4 later this year. The chunky Land Cruiser lookalike, dubbed the B5,…

4X4S

KGM unveils £42k Musso EV double-cab pickup

An electric, and altogether different, version of KGM Motors’ Musso pickup will land in dealer showrooms in May. The South Korean outfit, formerly known as Ssangyong, has pitched its debut…

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4X4S

On test: Daihatsu's lightweight, high-spec Hijet 4x4

The success of modified Suzuki Jimnys at providing an alternative to costly UTVs has paved the way for another quirky method of off-road transport – compact Japanese pickups. Slotting into…

4X4S

Pickup test: Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian

The L200 might be the cheapest truck in our test group, but its high spec, solid build quality and smooth engine earned it a well-deserved third position. A slightly bumpy…

4X4S

On test: Mercedes E350d 4Matic All Terrain

While the bulbous SUV has been dominating the UK’s road network, its svelte, understated cousin – the all-wheel-drive estate – has quietly taken a back seat. But after several years…

4X4S

Toyota's rough and tough Land Cruiser, ugly but unrivalled

Strangling emissions regulations, a slump in demand and a surge in competition has left farm-friendly 4x4s on the cusp of extinction. The iconic Land Rover Defender 90 copped it nigh…

4X4S

On test: Ssangyong shows off rejuvenated Rexton

It’s fair to say the old Ssangyong Rexton appeared dated even when it was new – its rather cheap-feeling interior and bland exterior were grossly uninspiring but just the ticket…

4X4S

On test: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Since its launch in April 2014, Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV has been the go-to model for those wishing to dabble in the world of hybrid SUVs. Almost 52,000 have been sold…

4X4S

Tested: Ford-built Amarok V6 is smart but not very VW

The humble pickup has undergone a marked gentrification over the past decade and few have been as pivotal in its transformation as Volkswagen. Even when it was first launched in…

4X4S

First impressions: Ford's new-look V6 Ranger Wildtrak

Seldom does a manufacturer enjoy such market dominance as that of Ford, with its Ranger pickups commanding a peerless 57% share of the sector in 2022. And the turn of…

On test: Volvo XC70

Can Volvo's latest multi-tasking motor appeal to a wider audience? Oliver Mark finds out. Volvo cars are the steady Eddys of the automotive industry. In fact, driving a Volvo, along…

4X4S

On test: Dacia Duster 4x4

There are certain sacrifices to be made if you want a sparkling new car on the cheap and they usually involve slack performance, low-grade interiors and unremarkable looks. The lure…

4X4S

On test: Subaru Forester e-Boxer still a countryside favourite

There’s much to hate about hare coursers, but they do know a good 4x4 when they see one – and the Subaru Forester’s tolerance for abuse is almost unmatched. While…

4X4S

On test: Land Rover Discovery darts upmarket

Earlier this year, Land Rover signalled its determination to cash in on the deep allure of its British heritage by launching the most expensive Discovery ever built. It will now…

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4X4S

Toyota's rough and tough Land Cruiser, ugly but unrivalled

Strangling emissions regulations, a slump in demand and a surge in competition has left farm-friendly 4x4s on the cusp of extinction. The iconic Land Rover Defender 90 copped it nigh…

4X4S

Pickup and commercial 4x4 buyer's guide 2023-24

With a full-range of Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok models available once more, the pickup market has perked up in terms of choice, with the Quartermaster version of the Ineos…

4X4S

Pickup test: Mitsubishi L200 Club Cab 4Life

A major redesign of Mitsubishi’s L200 has delivered a stand-out exterior, though whether it has actually improved its looks is debatable. Base spec 4Life models get a smart cab with…

4X4S

Pickup buyers guide 2019-20

Four-wheel drive pickups remain the vehicle of choice for many farmers and contractors – as well as lifestyle vehicles for many others. Our buyers guide shows prices and models for…

4X4S

On test: Electric Tesla Model X serves up taste of future

Rocket-building, weed-smoking billionaire Elon Musk is leading an electric revolution intent on transforming transport on earth and beyond. The engineering entrepreneur only started his Tesla motor business in 2003, but…

4X4S

On test: Ford Explorer offers speed and comfort – at a price

Ford’s unlikely alliance with rival Volkswagen has spawned a series of electric SUVs, as it looks to replace some of its best-known nameplates – Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, et al –…

4X4S

On test: Dacia Logan MCV – a new estate car for just £8,500

Romania’s remedy to the spiralling cost of family cars is the Dacia Logan – a vehicle that, in its most basic guise, provides spartan four-wheeled transport and shedloads of boot…

4X4S

Pickup buyer’s guide 2025-26

Additional hybrid and electric options feature in this year’s pickup listings – with more on the way. Isuzu recently unveiled a fully electric model for its D-Max line-up, which is…

4X4S

On test: Ineos's £79,000 Grenadier 4x4

While small numbers of Ineos’ long-awaited Grenadier have been trickling out across the country, they’re still something of a rarity. Having tackled the inevitable rash of teething troubles that you’d…

4X4S

Pickup test: Ford Ranger Limited

Big, brash, but somehow a little underwhelming. The Ranger finished comfortably in second place thanks to its enviable spec list, but the combination of five-cylinder engine and six-speed auto lacked…

4X4S

How to patch up farm pickups with second-hand spare parts

Farm pickups are subject to a notoriously rough and loveless life, but patching them up with second-hand spares can push them a few years beyond their sell-by date without costing…

4X4S

Commercial-spec SUV buyer's guide 2021-22

This year’s Ultimate Guide to 4x4s features commercial SUVs for the first time – that relatively rare breed of four-wheel-drive vehicle equipped specifically for carrying tools, equipment, bales or whatever…

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A nostalgic drive in the retiring Land Rover Defender

Rival 4x4s have come and gone, but until now the Land Rover has been the only choice for thousands of farmers up and down the country. As the sun sets…

4X4S

Tested: Ford-built Amarok V6 is smart but not very VW

The humble pickup has undergone a marked gentrification over the past decade and few have been as pivotal in its transformation as Volkswagen. Even when it was first launched in…

4X4S

Pickup and commercial 4x4 buyer's guide 2023-24

With a full-range of Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok models available once more, the pickup market has perked up in terms of choice, with the Quartermaster version of the Ineos…

MACHINERY

How to stop thieves stealing your Land Rover

Every year more than 500 Land Rover Defenders are stolen from farms across the UK. And that number is on the up, according to figures from the NFU Mutual, with…

4X4S

Electric and hybrid 4x4 vehicles explained

Barely a day goes by without another headline announcing the demise of the internal combustion engine. While many of those predictions are misleading or simply wrong, there is a definite…

4X4S

Pickup buyers guide 2019-20

Four-wheel drive pickups remain the vehicle of choice for many farmers and contractors – as well as lifestyle vehicles for many others. Our buyers guide shows prices and models for…

4X4S

Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Ford Ranger

For more than 20 years, Ford’s pickups were essentially rebadged Mazdas, and they were pretty simple, solid vehicles. However, in 2011 the firm decided to take the job in-house and…

4X4S

Pickup buyer’s guide 2025-26

Additional hybrid and electric options feature in this year’s pickup listings – with more on the way. Isuzu recently unveiled a fully electric model for its D-Max line-up, which is…

MACHINERY

Bowler Motorsport powers up Land Rover Defender

If you’ve got a Land Rover Defender, but find it wanting in the power and handling department, you could take it for a pepping-up session at Bowler Motorsport. Bowler Motorsport…

4X4S

How to patch up farm pickups with second-hand spare parts

Farm pickups are subject to a notoriously rough and loveless life, but patching them up with second-hand spares can push them a few years beyond their sell-by date without costing…

4X4S

Commercial-spec SUV buyer's guide 2021-22

This year’s Ultimate Guide to 4x4s features commercial SUVs for the first time – that relatively rare breed of four-wheel-drive vehicle equipped specifically for carrying tools, equipment, bales or whatever…

4X4S

Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Mitsubishi L200

Mitsubishi’s fourth-generation L200 had a nine-year lifespan and the firm stuck with the same 2.5-litre engine throughout. Initially, this block was tuned to deliver 134hp in base-spec models and 164hp…

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MACHINERY

Video: Isuzu D-Max review

  More comfort in the front and more space in the back will appeal to farmers with a lot of lugging to do. A more car-like ride is good news,…

4X4S

Video: Tesla launches radical Cybertruck electric pickup

Electric car company Tesla has launched a Back to The Future inspired Cybertruck pickup with a design that has torn up the conventional pickup rule book. Hawthorne, California, was the…

4X4S

Video: Three-way farm pickup showdown

The past year saw a clutch of new models enter the ever-growing 4×4 pickup market. However, not all is as it seems, as due to the popularity of these trucks,…

ROAD LEGAL

Video: All you need to know to pass your B+E trailer test

So you’ve been driving since you could reach the pedals, passed your tractor test at 16, car test at 17 and can reverse 40ft trailers around the yard for fun.…