The pickup as an everyday vehicle was long an exotic idea in Germany. While in the USA and Australia, pickups have been among the best-selling vehicles for decades, here they were considered impractical workhorses for farmers and foresters. But the image is changing. More and more Germans are discovering the pickup as a real alternative to the SUV – as a fully-fledged everyday car capable of providing a good pickup experience in Germany. In this article, we take an honest look at costs, pickup taxes in Germany, fuel consumption, parking, and the crucial N1 tax advantage that makes a pickup as a car surprisingly attractive financially.
The Pickup Boom in Germany: Why More and More People Are Switching
The trend towards pickups has several drivers. The most obvious is the SUV boom of the past ten years, which has massively lowered the inhibition threshold for large vehicles. Anyone who already drives a Tiguan, Q5, or X3 no longer considers the step to a pickup radical. A current Ford Ranger, at 5.37 meters in length, is only about 40 centimeters longer than a BMW X5 – so the step is smaller than many people think.
Added to this is the lifestyle factor: the outdoor and overlanding scene has been growing in Germany for years. Roof tents, off-road trailers, mountain bikes, kayaks – all of this can be transported more easily with a pickup than with an enclosed SUV. The open loading area offers flexibility that no trunk can replace: dirty equipment, wet dogs, building materials, or garden waste land directly on the bed, without dirtying the interior.
In addition: modern pickups no longer lag behind passenger cars in terms of comfort and equipment. Matrix LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree cameras, heated leather seats, and infotainment with smartphone integration – the interior of a VW Amarok V6 is hardly different from a Touareg. This development has transformed the pickup from a pure utility vehicle into a lifestyle all-rounder. And the towing capacity of 3.0 to 3.5 tons is unattainable for SUV drivers – anyone who needs to move horse trailers, caravans, or heavy boat trailers can hardly avoid a pickup.
Registration Figures: How Popular Are Pickups Really?
The registration figures from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt) show a differentiated picture. Pickups experienced a significant upswing between 2015 and 2022, with growing new registration figures. Since 2023, however, the market has been declining: new registrations of light commercial vehicles under 2 tons – the category into which many pickups fall – fell by around 17 percent in 2024 and significantly again in 2025. For comparison: in the same period, over 800,000 SUVs are registered annually. The pickup therefore clearly remains a niche, but with a solid core of loyal buyers.
The market leader is the Ford Ranger with about a third of all new registrations. This is followed by the Toyota Hilux, VW Amarok, Isuzu D-Max, and, at a distance, US imports such as the Dodge Ram and Ford F-150. The latter disproportionately shape the public image, although they play a smaller statistical role – which is not always helpful, as the huge full-size trucks convey a distorted picture. A Ford Ranger is significantly more manageable in practice than a Ram 1500.
Regionally, it is striking: in rural regions of Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and Baden-Württemberg, the pickup share is significantly above the national average, while large cities like Berlin, Hamburg, or Munich remain low-pickup areas.
Source: Federal Motor Transport Authority, New Registration Statistics
Costs: Tax, Insurance & Consumption – the Underestimated N1 Advantage
The cost question is the decisive point – and here comes the biggest advantage: N1 classification. Most pickups are not registered as passenger cars (M1) but as light commercial vehicles of class N1. This has massive implications for pickup taxes in Germany.
Vehicle Tax: The N1 Tax Advantage in Detail
Since 2021, vehicle tax for passenger cars has been calculated based on CO2 emissions and engine displacement – quickly amounting to 300 to 500 euros per year for a large diesel SUV. For N1 vehicles, the cheaper truck taxation applies: a flat rate of 11.25 euros for every commenced 200 kilograms of permissible total weight. A Ford Ranger with 3,270 kilograms thus costs around 185 euros annually – a comparable SUV pays double to triple that amount.
This advantage is not a gray area. Pickups with an open load bed meet the N1 criteria because their cargo space is larger than the passenger compartment. This applies to virtually all commercially available models – from the Isuzu D-Max to the VW Amarok.
Insurance and Consumption
In terms of insurance, pickups are in a similar range to large SUVs (liability 400 to 700 euros, comprehensive 600 to 1,200 euros). Some insurers even classify pickups in cheaper type classes because the claims statistics are lower.
Regarding consumption, one has to be honest: a modern diesel pickup actually consumes 9 to 12 liters per 100 kilometers, up to 13 liters in city traffic, and 8 to 9 liters on the highway at moderate speeds. For comparison: a diesel SUV of the same size class consumes 7 to 10 liters. The higher consumption results from higher weight, less aerodynamic shape, and higher rolling resistance, especially with off-road rims with all-terrain tires.
If you offset the tax savings against the higher consumption, in many cases, it results in a zero-sum game or even a slight advantage for the pickup. With an annual mileage of 20,000 kilometers and 2 liters of extra consumption, at a diesel price of 1.65 euros, additional costs of around 660 euros are incurred at the pump. The tax saving of 150 to 300 euros per year partially cushions this. Anyone who also uses the pickup commercially and claims input tax benefits even more.
Everyday Life with a Pickup: Parking Garage, City Center, Supermarket
The most honest test for a pickup as a car takes place in the parking garage. Most German parking garages are designed for vehicles up to 2.00 meters in height and 5.00 meters in length. A Ford Ranger measures 1.87 meters (without roof rails) and 5.37 meters – it just fits in many parking garages, but not in some. Older underground garages with a clearance height of 1.80 meters are generally taboo. In standard parking spaces, a pickup often protrudes 30 to 50 centimeters beyond the marking.
In city traffic, a modern pickup drives surprisingly similarly to a large SUV. Thanks to a 360-degree camera, the dimensions are manageable. The turning circle for the Ranger is 12.7 meters – more than a Passat (11.0 meters), but less than a Ram (14 meters). U-turns and parallel parking require practice but quickly become routine.
The loading area is surprisingly practical in everyday life: large DIY store purchases, garden waste, bicycles – all straightforward. With a hardtop, it becomes a lockable, weather-protected cargo space. The payload of 900 to 1,200 kilograms significantly surpasses any SUV (500 to 600 kilograms). For driving safety with heavy loads, we recommend a suitable Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Off-Road Rims as an Upgrade: Why the Look is Worth It
No single upgrade changes the appearance of a pickup as drastically as high-quality off-road rims. It's not just about aesthetics: reinforced rim flanges protect against curb damage, larger rim widths allow for wider tires, and special offsets ensure a wider stance – both off-road and visually appealing. When it comes to the best off-road design with European quality, in our opinion, there's no way around RID Wheels: distinctive spoke patterns, TÜV certification for straightforward registration, and a load capacity of up to 1,250 kg make RID the ideal choice for pickup drivers who value looks and reliability.
The most popular combination is off-road rims with all-terrain tires. Our range includes specific rims: Ford Ranger rims, Toyota Hilux rims, Isuzu D-Max rims, VW Amarok rims, and Dodge Ram rims. Each collection is tailored to the bolt patterns, offsets, and load capacities of the respective model.
Anyone fitting non-standard rims should check their registration eligibility. Our guide on registering rims with the TÜV explains the process. Many rims from our range come with a parts certificate. Whether matte black, anthracite, or bronze – the color choice determines the overall character. We show more inspiration in our blog post on Ford Ranger rims.
The Most Popular Pickup Models in Germany
Anyone interested in a pickup as an everyday vehicle has five relevant options in Germany.
Ford Ranger
Best-selling pickup in Europe. Current generation (from 2022) with 2.0-liter biturbo diesel (170/205 hp) or 3.0-liter V6 diesel (240 hp). Towing capacity up to 3,500 kilograms. Convinces with its price-performance ratio, wide dealer network, and huge selection of accessories. Matching rims here.
Toyota Hilux
In production for over 50 years, legendary for its reliability. The Hilux is considered virtually indestructible – a reputation it has earned in extreme regions worldwide. The current version offers a 2.8-liter diesel with 204 hp and automatic transmission. The workmanship is slightly below Ranger level, but the Hilux scores with outstanding resale value and low maintenance costs. Hilux rims in our range.
Isuzu D-Max
The insider tip among pickups: excellent price-performance ratio with extremely robust technology. The 1.9-liter diesel produces 163 hp and is surprisingly powerful despite its relatively small displacement. Towing capacity: 3,500 kilograms. The D-Max is often several thousand euros cheaper than the Ranger or Amarok with comparable equipment. D-Max rims here.
VW Amarok
Premium pickup with VW-typical interior quality. Shares its platform with the Ranger, optionally offers a 3.0-liter V6 diesel (241 hp). The most comfortable among mid-size pickups. Amarok rims available.
Dodge Ram 1500
Full-size truck from the USA: 5.90 meters long, 5.7-liter V8 HEMI (401 hp), consumption 14 to 18 liters of premium gasoline. New price from approx. 60,000 euros (import). A challenge in city traffic, unparalleled comfort on long journeys. Ram rims in the shop.
Disadvantages No One Mentions – An Honest Assessment
No vehicle type is perfect. Here's the unvarnished truth about everyday pickup life.
Winter consumption: In winter, consumption increases disproportionately. Short city trips can mean 14 to 16 liters – the higher weight and large frontal area take their toll.
Driving comfort with an empty load bed: The rear rigid axle with leaf springs is designed for load, not for unladen comfort. With an empty load bed, the rear tends to bounce and rattle, especially on cobblestones and transverse joints. VW Amarok and Ford Ranger have made progress with coil springs and multi-link rear axles, but no pickup achieves a comfort level similar to a station wagon. If you are sensitive to suspension harshness, you should definitely take a test drive without a load before buying.
Parking problems: Not only are parking garages tight – so are resident parking spaces, supermarket parking lots, and underground garages of rental apartments. Anyone living in a big city without their own parking space should take this point seriously.
Wind noise: The angular shapes create significantly more wind noise at highway speeds than an SUV. Especially at the transition edge to the loading area, there's a noticeable whistling sound from 130 km/h.
Resale value: Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger hold their value excellently (60 to 70 percent after three years). For US imports like the Dodge Ram, residual values are more volatile.
Social perception: Pickups polarize. In urban areas, they certainly receive critical glances. The debate about "city tanks" affects pickups more than SUVs, although the dimensions are often similar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is a pickup suitable as an everyday car in Germany?
Yes, with limitations. Modern double-cab pickups offer space for five people and sufficient everyday practicality. The biggest limitations concern parking in large cities and higher fuel consumption. In rural and suburban areas, pickups work excellently as everyday vehicles.
How high is the vehicle tax for a pickup in Germany?
Most pickups are registered as N1 vehicles and are subject to truck taxation: 11.25 euros per commenced 200 kilograms of permissible total weight. For a typical pickup, this results in an annual tax of around 180 to 200 euros – significantly less than a comparable diesel SUV.
Do pickups fit into German parking garages?
Partially. Mid-size pickups have a height of 1.80 to 1.90 meters and fit into parking garages with a clearance height of 2.00 meters. Older underground garages with 1.80 meters are too low. The length of over 5.30 meters means that pickups extend beyond standard parking spaces. Full-size pickups like the Dodge Ram barely fit into any European parking garage.
What does a pickup really consume in everyday life?
Mixed driving 9 to 12 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers, in city traffic 12 to 14 liters, on the highway 8 to 9 liters. Off-road tires and accessories increase consumption by 0.3 to 0.8 liters. US pickups with V8 gasoline engines consume 14 to 18 liters.
Can I claim a pickup as a business expense?
Yes. As N1 vehicles, pickups are considered company vehicles for tax purposes. The VAT on the purchase price is deductible as input tax. The one-percent rule can also be advantageous if the list price is lower than for a comparably equipped SUV. Consult your tax advisor.
Which off-road rims fit my pickup?
That depends on the model, year of manufacture, and desired tire size. Crucial factors are bolt pattern (PCD), offset (ET), center bore, and load capacity. In our shop, you can filter off-road rims by vehicle model. For questions about registration, our guide Registering Rims with TÜV can help.
Sources and Further Information
- Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) – New Registration Statistics for Commercial Vehicles and Pickup Segment (kba.de)
- Vehicle Tax Regulation for N1 Vehicles – Motor Vehicle Tax Law (KraftStG), § 9 Paragraph 1 No. 4
- ADAC – Operating Cost Comparison for Pickup Models and SUVs (adac.de/autokosten)
Conclusion: For Whom Is a Pickup as an Everyday Car Worth It?
A pickup as an everyday vehicle is no longer a compromise in Germany, but a conscious decision for versatility and robustness. The combination of favorable N1 taxation, enormous payload and towing capacity, off-road capability, and load bed flexibility makes the pickup a serious alternative to the large SUV – provided you accept the compromises in parking and consumption.
A pickup is particularly suitable for people in rural and suburban areas who regularly transport, tow, or go off-road. For the pure big-city commuter without a private parking space, there are better options. But anyone who has a parking space, enjoys being outdoors, and is looking for a vehicle that can handle everything from large DIY store purchases to weekend camping trips to towing trailers will find the ideal all-rounder in a pickup.
And one thing is certain: with the right off-road rims and AT tires, no other vehicle type looks as good. Brands like RID Wheels and Black Rhino offer the right design for every pickup – RID with the best off-road design and TÜV certification for the German market, Black Rhino for US truck drivers with maximum selection. Discover our range now.