Whether buying a pickup truck is a good choice for a family is a common question in Vietnam. This article will analyze the pros and cons of pickup trucks to help you make the right decision.
A pickup truck showing its utility but also suggesting potential limitations as a family vehicle.
Advantages of Pickup Trucks
Pickup trucks have many outstanding advantages, attracting Vietnamese consumers:
Powerful Performance
- Powerful Engine: Most pickup trucks use diesel engines, providing powerful, durable, and fuel-efficient performance. This is especially useful when traveling on complex terrain or long distances.
- Good Off-Road Capability: High ground clearance and 4-wheel drive help pickup trucks easily overcome difficult terrain, suitable for road conditions in Vietnam.
- Cargo Carrying Capacity: The spacious truck bed allows for carrying a lot of goods, meeting the needs of business or transporting family belongings.
Cost Savings
- Low Tax: Pickup trucks are subject to lower special consumption tax than passenger cars, helping to reduce the cost of buying a car.
- Low Registration Fee: The registration fee for pickup trucks is also significantly lower than for passenger cars.
- Fuel Efficiency: Diesel engines are often more fuel-efficient than gasoline engines, helping to reduce operating costs.
Comfortable Equipment
Today, pickup trucks are equipped with many modern and convenient features, no less than ordinary cars, bringing a comfortable experience to users.
A close-up of a heavy-duty pickup truck wheel, suggesting the strength but also potential difficulty for some users.
Disadvantages of Pickup Trucks
Besides the advantages, pickup trucks also have some limitations to keep in mind:
Limited Passenger Space
- Uncomfortable Rear Seats: Due to the design prioritizing the cargo bed, the rear seats of pickup trucks often have limited recline, causing back pain when traveling long distances. The solution is to install electric seats to adjust the recline.
- Truck Bed Without Cover: The original pickup truck bed usually does not have a cover, causing inconvenience when carrying goods in rainy or sunny weather. You can install a high or low truck bed cover, but each type has its own limitations. High truck bed covers make the car bulky, while low truck bed covers limit the height of the cargo. Multi-functional truck bed covers are a better solution, allowing flexible height changes.
Inconvenient When Traveling in the City
- Large Size: Pickup trucks have a large size, making it difficult to move and park in crowded cities.
- Large Blind Spots: The length of the car obstructs the rear view, requiring a lot of driving experience.
Noisy Engine and Unpleasant Smell
- Noisy Diesel Engine: Diesel engines are often louder than gasoline engines.
- Diesel Smell: The smell of diesel fuel can linger in the interior of the car, causing discomfort to some people.
An open truck bed of a Mitsubishi Triton pickup, illustrating the lack of coverage for cargo.
So, Should You Buy a Pickup Truck?
The answer depends on your needs and intended use. If you need a powerful, versatile car that can carry goods and move on many terrains, while accepting the limitations of passenger space and inconvenience when traveling in the city, then a pickup truck is a suitable choice. Conversely, if you prioritize comfort for your family and often travel in the city, you should consider SUV or sedan models.
Electrically adjustable seats installed in a pickup truck to enhance passenger comfort.
Some popular pickup truck models in the Vietnamese market: Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton.
