Let’s leave the pick-up truck obsession for the US

Recently, I wrote about how many Australians buy utes without really needing them.

This led to a lot of fire in our Facebook comments, with some defending their ute ownership and others criticising those who have one which they don’t fully utilise.

Australians really love their utes. In 2023, we bought over 200,000 new ones, and the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux have fought for sales dominance for years.

But here's the thing: Some even bigger 6-meter-long, 2.6-meter-wide monster trucks like the "Eat everything else for breakfast" Ram 2500 have started gaining traction in Australia. And more of these pickup trucks like the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150 are on the way. The segment is growing, with almost 1000 of these cars joining our roads every month – and it's a bit worrying.

So, here I go again. I’m taking a stand against these behemoths in our metro cities.

Let me explain why.

My first point of contention is the sheer size of these big American pickups. In their modern form, they really are trucks, disguised in our country as cars. Manoeuvring one of these behemoths through a crowded city centre is no easy challenge.

Consider trying to do a three-point turn, fitting in any underground carpark or even finding a parking spot in an urban dense area in one of these 'Yank tanks'. And when you've found that parking spot, you'd better make sure there's one across empty for your tray overhang.

Their oversized dimensions make them unwieldy in metro environments, and fuel efficiency is often a sore point. Pickup trucks tend to have a thirst for fuel worse than any unleashed cubicle worker at the office Christmas party.

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In an era when environmental awareness is paramount, let's not ignore the elephant in the room: emissions.

Pickup trucks are known for their significant carbon footprint, an increasingly concerning topic. In a world where we’re working to reduce our environmental impact, do we truly need vehicles that appear determined to undermine these efforts?

Another massive concern I have about cars of these size is the lack of safety. Not necessarily for occupants (although rear passengers have been found to be less safe) but rather for those outside the vehicle.

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A 2.5-tonne vehicle is going to do immense damage to pedestrians and smaller vehicles, in the case of a collision.

How are you supposed to maintain a 1.5-metre distance from a cyclist in a standard highway lane in Melbourne (~3.5 metres) when you're driving a 2.6m wide vehicle? The math ain't mathing.

(Shana, I'm not certain the average yanktank buyer is concerned about cyclists... – Stevo)

There's no denying pickup trucks have their merits, especially in rural settings when towing of 4500kg is required for those carting horses, boats or caravans.

Many people have a genuine, regular need for massive towing power – they're not the people I'm concerned about, although it'd be nice if their truck were used only for these purposes and not the grocery run as well.

It's the inner-city where I feel these should be banned.

Before we pass judgment, it's essential to consider the alternatives. There is a wide range of SUVs and crossovers that can handle nearly any task a pickup truck can, all while offering enhanced style and practicality.

I’m usually the last person to endorse a standard 4x4 ute, but doing so just proves how much I feel we don’t need pick-ups on our roads.

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Still, as Wheels editor Andy Enright told a reader in the 2023 yearbook's inbox, these trucks might have a "self limiting" run in Australia.

I'm encouraged by that thinking.

It's high time we reconsider our fondness for pickup trucks in our localities.

So, the next time you're tempted by that colossal ute, pause for a moment and explore the wealth of vehicles that better suit our urban and suburban lifestyles.

But if you do reeeeallly need a pick-up truck to tow your boat, then all I ask is you please keep your distance from the rest of us in our Toyota Corollas.