If you are planning an off-road tour in Vietnam, renting a pickup truck is a must-do. A 4×4 truck, with its suspension design and rugged construction, will go the extra mile when tackling difficult terrains. So here are the best 5 adventure 4×4 all-singing, all-dancing trucks for your renting consideration.
What To Consider Before Renting An Adventure 4×4 Truck
Budget
There are dozens of operators organizing self-drive 4×4 tours in Vietnam. Each may have its own pricing strategy and selling points. It is thus important to know your budget in the ballpark and scrutinize the value of money. Make sure you have the best and the most out of what you pay.
Off-Road Performance
Take time to have some research on vehicle options. Will it offer enough pickup power as you need? What are the safety features, and are they good enough? Please look at some product specs such as towing capacity, engine size, bed size, and camper shell, then they will give you more insights.
Routine
Does the routine of the tour cover the spots of your expectations? And does the vehicle perform well enough on such terrains? Knowing your expected itinerary helps you better align your criteria with a specific tour option.
Top 5 Adventure 4×4 Trucks For Your Off-Road Tours In Vietnam
FORD RANGER
Ford Ranger has always been a leader in the off-road truck industry. Every Best or Top list out there seems to have its name. The fame is rooted in its impressive size – capability balance and robust towing power.
This off-road truck has been on the market for almost a decade, which gained for itself respect and trust from off-road touring enthusiasts. Being compact and versatile, Ford Ranger deals well with all terrains and weather conditions. Its small size easily makes its way to squeeze down the trails while having much space looking for the bypass.
The most typical Rangers can take in four or five-cylinder turbo diesel, reaching the power of up to 210bhp. They have both choices of automatic and manual gearboxes.
Ford Ranger is an ideal choice for those interested in having a comfortable steering position and well-tuned controls for an intuitive driving experience.
ISUZU DMAX
For anyone being put off by the modern utility flatbed, Isuzu D-max will come to rescue. It is a pick-up-only truck, an off-road specialist that deserves its title.
The most significant features of Isuzu D-max include large footwell, easy-to-grab switches and levers, and minimal-yet-enough cabin space. So if you like your off-road buddy to be hard-wearing and no-nonsense, Isuzu D-max is a great appeal.
Isuzu D-max has won some of the most prestigious pickup awards, such as 2018’s Pickup Of The Year by What Van, 2018’s Most Reliable Pickup by Professional Pick-up and 4×4, and 2018’s Best Workhorse Pickup by Trade Van Drive.
This epic adventure 4×4 truck offers an excellent off-road ability, with a bulky and robust look, a trusty engine, and a build-to-last design. As compared to its peers, Isuzu D-max is among the lowest outputs. But it should not be a worry because it shares the engine with the Isuzu light truck. So it is not afraid of hard work at all.
TOYOTA HILUX
The market of upper-class flatbeds with oversized radiator grilles has been expanding like never before. Still, most worthy off-road pickup trucks still belong to the brands that are one of the least pretentious. And Toyota Hilux is a prime example.
Since the 1960s, Hilux has garnered its reputation in Toyota’s commercial series. It speaks volumes for its fully-loaded trim level and performance consistency.
Quite comparable to Isuzu D-max, Toyota Hilux is comfortable to drive with. The decently finished inside, creditable ride, and compact dimensions give it the ability to escape from the tight roads.
Toyota Hilux is available with 2.4-liter four-cylinder/ 148bhp engine. And even though the numbers do not sound as interesting as other well-known trucks, it still does a decent job for most medium-difficult terrains in Vietnam.
This 4×4 truck is thus a typical and free of the superfluous choice for off-road drivers of all levels, especially those with high demand for high carrying capacity.
NISSAN NAVARA
Another familiar candidate in the top reviews is a name from a Japanese manufacturer – Nissan Navara. It has always been there since the very first days of pickup truck life.
The Nissan Navara brings a template to lightweight off-road adventures. If your 4×4 tours in Vietnam do not involve too much luggage, a Nissan can do the work.
The engine on Nissan Navara is actually quite humble – 2.3-liter turbo diesel with 161 or 187 bhp. Both full-time and rear-wheel, manual and automatic, four-seater, and double-cap options are available.
But beware about its version, not until late 2019 was Nissan Navara updated with its suspension, gearbox, braking, and interiors. Nissan Navara, while being not really outstanding, does have its own competitive features in its riding manipulation, towing, and carrying.
MITSUBISHI L200
Mitsubishi L200 is now available on the market with its 6th full model generation. The engine (2.2-liter/ 148 bhp) that does not have many updates right from the start still claims its position on the board.
With its club-cab design, 4×4 capability, and rugged appearance, Mitsubishi L200 is still a good value for particular preferences in speed and durability.
Mitsubishi L200 actually used to receive criticism on its cramped-feeling cabin, configured driving position, and vague steering. But since 2019, Mitsubishi L200 has won back the game with its competitiveness in maintaining traction and optimizing fuel economy.
So if you are driving on a modern styling Mitsubishi L200, there should be no worries at all. Its ability to handle tough terrain is now much better.
In A Nutshell
Above are the top 5 choices for your adventure 4×4 pickup truck in Vietnam, given the medium-tough terrain and humid tropical weather in this country. Having a self-drive off-road tour with a proper 4×4 truck will make things much easier. It saves your time and effort for moving around, so you can enjoy all the on-the-way scenes and experiences.
If you’re looking for an operator organizing 4×4 tours in Vietnam, check out: 4×4 Off-Road Adventures with BM Travel Adventure
