The surprise vehicle for me is the SsangYong Musso . It ’ s the only vehicle here where the remaining payload figures against GVM and GCM actually make sense , both being 470kg . It ’ s also at the top end of the list and just 20kg less remaining payload than the much more expensive Mercedes Benz .
While we ’ re on the subject of the Merc , its weight figures are both impressive and intriguing . Given it is based on the Nissan Navara , you would expect the payload capacities of both to be similar . Yet the Mercedes has more than twice the remaining payload .
There ’ s not a lot that can be said about the Toyota Hilux , except you ’ d have to be barking mad to buy the top-spec Rugged X model in order to tow a 3500kg caravan .
Its remaining payload against GCM of just 34kg means , by the time you load a fridge full of beer , it ’ s overweight . You could opt for the SR-5 model , forgoing all the fruit in the Rugged X and reclaim 261kg . That brings the remaining payload capacity up to a more manageable 295kg .
Unsurprisingly , the vehicle with the highest remaining payload capacity is the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series ; however , this vehicle is only available as a bare cab-chassis . To ensure a fair comparison , you have to add a tray to the vehicle . Fitting an aluminium tray will add around 160kg to the base vehicle , reducing its remaining payload to 615kg – still the highest figure here and by a considerable margin .
/ 25