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Is Bigger Really Better?
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Is Bigger Really Better?
We’ve tested the VW Amarok, and the fact we can’t get one in Canada is almost criminal.
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Is Bigger Really Better?
Mercedes-Benz Concept X-CLASS powerful Adventurer
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Is Bigger Really Better?
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Is Bigger Really Better?
Story by Budd Stanley, photos by Budd Stanley, Mercedes, VW and Toyota
I have travelled through many foreign countries on this great Earth, and there are two fundamental automotive characteristics that keep slapping me in the face. One, western Canadian drivers are just about the worst drivers in the free world, and two, only Canada and the USA are addicted to gigantic trucks… well maybe Russia as well.
In all my travels, the largest truck I ever see, in city or out in rural areas, is either a Toyota Landcruiser or Land Rover Defender 130. Yes, there is the odd Super Duty in the Australian Outback and Iceland, but the majority of 4WD’s are midsize trucks and SUV’s, and smaller.
Despite our self-proclaimed status as the world’s greatest truck lovers, we actually don’t have much choice in the market while other countries are spoiled for choice. Our market has only four heavy-duty trucks, six half-tons and four mid-sizes to choose from in the truck market. The SUV side looks even bleaker as all we have is the Toyota 4Runner and Jeeps whole line-up when it comes to off-road capable rigs. If you wanted to stretch the realms of possibilities, you could technically throw Land Rovers line-up, the Mercedes G-Class, and Nissan’s Armada and Juke in there as well, although you may never see one on the trail.
Last issue, we were overrun with the wave of hard-core off-road focused special editions coming our way. However, these are all trim packages available in vehicles we already get. Yeah, the Ranger and Bronco are coming, but that's a ways off.
So, why don’t we get these really cool 4WD’s other countries get to play with? I’m talking about the VW Amarok, Toyota Landcruiser, Suzuki Jimny, Nissan Patrol, Mitsubishi Triton and Pajero, Mercedes X-Class and the Land Rover Defender… rest its soul.
Well, there are all sorts of reasons that have to do with emissions and safety regulations and the complexity of creating a new model for a new market. However, one of the biggest reasons 4WD manufacturers stay away is the way we think.
It’s not so much the way we Canadians think, but as we are so closely tied to the Yanks, mostly how they think. And in Merica, bigger and badder is better. Essentially, 4WD buyers want their vehicles to be big and menacing looking, or they will take their money elsewhere. It has been a problem both Toyota and Nissan have had to deal with. The Tundra is by far the largest half-ton truck on the market, but fails in sales because when truck buyers look at it, they instinctively see a small Japanese truck. Likewise with the Titan and both mid-size trucks. The Tacoma, as you will read later, is gigantic and has a massive front fascia, to the point of ridiculousness. This is the same issue I have with the new Titan (and really all trucks); its front grille is disproportionally large for the size of the truck.
So, is this really why manufacturers stay away? Well the proof in the pudding came when Volkswagen confirmed to us that they would love to jump into the North American truck market, however the reason they don’t is because the Amarok just isn’t big enough. To affirm foreign sentiment, Mercedes just went on record at the North American International Auto Show, saying their new X-Class truck just isn’t big enough to sell in America. If you are ever able to see a Toyota Hilux, quite likely the most popular truck on the planet barring North America, it is nowhere near the size of the Tacoma and thus Toyota don’t give a thought to ever bringing it to Canada.
Now, you half-ton owners are likely thinking, “quit your crying and get a mans truck.” Simple fact is I don’t need a big truck, so why pay the added cost of purchase, fuelling and maintenance? Why struggle to find a parking spot, when I already hate going to the mall, and why settle for poor handling and reliability? How would you feel if you lived in the UK and there is no such thing as a half-ton? I have nothing to prove, don’t own a whole lot of stuff and I enjoying driving small, manoeuvrable and fun-to-drive vehicles like the Eco Zuk. It’s just too bad that if I wanted to purchase a new small 4WD, there is literally nothing on the market to suit my taste. The smallest proper 4WD out there is twice the size of my current Samurai… which is a special situation… I know.
Today, if you truly want a brand new small 4WD, there is only one choice, a side by side that you will have to tow to your given playground behind a full-size truck. For those like me, who actually prefer smaller 4WD’s, this is shame, and with the current government taking power in the US of A, I would say it will stay status quo for quite some time unfortunately.