New models and additional variants have extended the choice of pickup trucks for farm and leisure use, as you can see in our full Pickup buyers guide (PDF).

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class is a new range included in our guide for the first time, aimed mainly at folk wanting a high-spec lifestyle vehicle but which can also do a good day’s work on- and off-road if needs be – as illustrated by the plastic flooring of the base Pure model.

Tech features include electronic stability, lane keeping, traffic sign recognition and autonomous braking as standard, with trailer stability an option.

See also: Mercedes adds V6 option to X-Class pickup

There is a choice of two power outputs from the 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine and a livelier 258hp from a 3-litre V6 coupled to MB’s seven-speed auto 7G-Tronic transmission with lock-up in all gears to bolster power efficiency.

SsangYong’s next-generation Musso also makes an appearance, with new bodywork, a slightly longer wheelbase and the ability to tow up to 3,500kg while carrying a little over a tonne in its cargo box.

The 2.2-litre engine has a touch more power and torque and, as with the outgoing model, there is a choice of six-speed manual or auto transmissions with low and high ranges.

Volkswagen has extended its Amarok range with a manual six-speed gearbox option for the Trendline spec.

It’s available with a more modest 163hp version of the 3-litre V6 diesel, along with the 204hp version that can also be had with VW’s eight-speed auto.

At the other end of the performance scale, a 258hp variant has been introduced to the Highline package, which adds leather, heated front seats, parking sensors and a rear camera to the base spec.

© Marco Destefanis/ Pacific Press via ZUMA Wire/REX/Shutterstock

The new Cross specification for Fiat’s Fullback adds a combination of style and substance in its “rugged” colour scheme and the practical benefits of a locking rear differential, bed liner and rear parking sensors as part of the standard package.

Off-road specialist Arctic Trucks has obviously impressed both Isuzu and Nissan because both offer more muscular looking variants of their pick-ups with bigger wheels and off-road biased tyres plus other add-ons.

Isuzu’s D-Max AT35 also gets uprated suspension, while the Off-Roader AT32 version of Nissan’s Navara gets a locking rear axle differential – plus a locking front diff option – a 20mm increase in ride height and steel underbody protection.

Just the thing for checking the sheep up on the high fells.

Read and download the Pickup buyers guide 2018-19 (PDF)