If you live in a vast continent, such as US, Australia, or Europe, you can go across borders just by land. Going from London to Paris, for example, only takes seven to eight hours by a car. And when it comes to land travel, distance is not a problem, but the ride is. Without a proper car, the trip will be a nightmare. Narrow space, small trunk, and a flimsy engine will divert you from seeing the scenery along the way. What has been supposed to be an adventure can be a stressful experience.
But why light-duty vehicles? Why not a sedan or a compact? What are the advantages of possessing a light-duty?
Light-duty can contain more goods
When you set your eyes on a large vehicle, it is reasonable to assume that you are going to move a lot. Otherwise, you are only wasting money and fuel. Please bear in mind that air pollution is a serious issue these days. If it is not necessary, you would be better to own and use an eco-friendly car instead of a pickup truck. And once you move from one town to another, you will definitely bring some goods with you. Besides, a light-duty is powerful, sturdy, and fuel efficient for a long trip.
Cars that are in the light-duty category are vans, pickup trucks, and Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).
Vans
Owning a van is perhaps not the first option that appears on your mind, simply because the vehicle is not stylish and sporty. The design optimizes the backside of the car as an enclosed container. Unless you are an artist who needs to travel with your equipment, you do not need to own a van. If you are in need of moving your belongings, you can simply hire a van service, such as man with a van. They have Sprinters, Lutons, and Long-wheels, all of which are the best vans for transporting goods long distance.
However, if you belong the previous criteria, here is a list of vans that can still provide comfort for passengers:
- Ford Transit
- Ford Transit Connect
- Kia Sedona
- Toyota Sienna
- Chevrolet City Express
- RAM ProMaster City
Pickup trucks
Having a pickup truck in the past was exhausting. The vehicle burned fuel lavishly and required a lot of maintenance. Unless it was for commercial use or transporting farming items, people chose not to own it. But today, the technology innovation in energy efficiency has put pickup trucks on top of the other vehicles, regarding its fuel efficiency for a long journey.
Japanese auto companies have invaded Europe since the last day we can remember. Mitsubishi and Nissan are the giants. Mitsubishi L200 is the main champion of the company’s pickup series, while Nissan has Navara. Both have an exquisitely macho look which can boost your confidence while traveling abroad. The diesel engines of both cars are equally powerful and fuel efficient. It is simply hard to imagine a pickup truck better than those twos.
SUV
SUV is less spacious than both vans and pickup trucks. SUV autos prioritize the passenger’s comfort rather than the space for storage.
But you can always fold the passenger seats in the back of an SUV to provide you with some more space. Choose this type of vehicle only if you occasionally travel with more than two people. Therefore, SUV vehicles are best suited for a family trip.
Here is a list of popular SUV in 2018:
- Land Rover Discovery
- Volvo XC60
- Peugeot 3008
- Jaguar F-Pace
- Kia Sorento
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Audi Q5