All models of pickup trucks popular in Russia

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Pickups, or mini-trucks, originally designed to transport various, primarily agricultural, goods, as a result of their development, are now considered vehicles for outdoor activities and travel.

Rise of mini trucks

The appearance of cars with a pickup truck body falls on the beginning of the 20th century. It was then that the replacement of part of the interior of a passenger car with a cargo platform made it possible to form a mini-truck capable of transporting small batches of various cargoes. This version of the car quickly gained popularity, especially among farmers, as it made it possible to transport various agricultural goods on a cargo area with low sides that do not require protection from natural precipitation and dust.

The new vehicle also had other positive qualities, the main ones being the following:

• comfortable cabin;
• easy to operate;
• affordable price;
• convenient loading (unloading);
• easy to maintain and repair.

To the disadvantages of all modelspickups of the first generation can be attributed to low-power engines and a weak undercarriage.

Development of the pickup class

The first companies that appreciated the advantages of pickups and their demand were the American companies Dodge, Chevrolet, Ford. All pickup models originally produced by these firms were intended exclusively for the transport of goods by farmers and small companies. Therefore, cars had a simple design and low comfort, and mini-trucks were most widely used in America, Canada and Australia.

Pickups were further developed in the mid-50s, when they began to be purchased not for transporting goods, but to emphasize their active lifestyle. This was also facilitated by the emergence of all-wheel drive versions and the installation of powerful power units. Such models were practically not inferior in speed to cars, and in terms of cross-country ability - to off-road vehicles. The changes have boosted North American pickup truck sales in the passenger car segment to close to 20%, with only one in six mini trucks being used for their intended purpose.

Domestic pickups

Sold pickup models in Russia can be attributed to the least popular vehicles. At the same time, the first version of such domestic cars appeared in 1933. It was a GAZ-4 pickup truck based on the GAZ-A model. A little later, a mini-truck based on the small car "M1" was released. Further development of the Soviet automotive industry was carried out forthe production of specialized vehicles (dump trucks, tractors, buses, etc.), and the production of pickups has practically ceased.

The resumption of production of such vehicles is associated with the Izhevsk Automobile Plant, which, on the basis of the small car "IZH-2715", developed and for a long time produced a classic two-door pickup truck in a double version under the index "IZH -27151". A total of 130 thousand copies were made.

Since 1991, the VAZINTERSERVICE enterprise has been producing mini-trucks based on various VAZ models. The most massive among all models of pickups was a modification based on the small car "VAZ-2105". Currently, only the UAZ company mass-produces a five-seat all-wheel drive pickup truck with a payload capacity of 0.76 tons.

Pickups from China

Practically all leading automakers from China have pickup trucks in their lineup. Models of Chinese pickups are intended for Asian countries, where the popularity of mini-trucks is growing and inexpensive Chinese cars are in some demand. At the same time, a small number of such cars are supplied to the Russian market, where they occupy the so-called budget segment. In addition to the affordable cost, Chinese pickups can be noted for their rich equipment and economical operation. The best selling models are:

• Great Wall Wingle 5.
• Great Wall Wingle 3.
• Photon Tunland.
• Derways Shuttle.
• "Huanghai Antelope".
• ChangFeng Flying.

Rating pickups

A number of specialized automotive publications in our country, based on reviews, test drives and other tests, have made ratings of various mini-trucks. Based on the presented results, we can present the following overview of pickup models that are the best in selected categories in Russia.

By popularity:

1. Toyota Hilux.
2. UAZ Pickup.
3. Mitsubishi L200.
4. Volkswagen Amarok.
5. SsangYong Action Sports.

Price:

1. UAZ Pickup.
2. Nissan NP300.
3. SsangYong Action Sports.
4. Mitsubishi L200.
5. Toyota Hilux.

On cross-country ability:

1. UAZ Pickup.
2. Mitsubishi L200.
3. Ford Ranger
4. SsangYong Action Sports.
5. Toyota Hilux.

Reliability:

1. Toyota Hilux.
2. Mitsubishi L200.
3. Nissan NP300.
4. Ford Ranger
5. Volkswagen Amarok.

It should be noted that all the pickup models that made it into the top five are presented in several categories at once, which indicates the high potential of these models.