Fiat Fullback review: The pick-up that’s yours for £50 a month – and the taxman won’t see a penny
The pick-up is classed as a commercial vehicle so you can get hold of one VAT-free. It's cheaper than a basic Ford Focus for businesses but is packed with gadgets you'd normally see on a luxury saloon
YOU don’t often get to put one over on the taxman – but business car users willing to trade to a pick-up could enjoy some cash back.
HMRC categorises most double-cab pick-ups as light commercial vehicles, so they can be written off as a business expense if you are VAT-registered.
Company car users can take advantage of a fixed benefit-in-kind rate.
I’m no accountant but I know someone paying 20 per cent tax will hand over just £50 a month for a pick-up.
The same person would hand over £67 for a 1.5-litre diesel Ford Focus.
There is no sense to it, as these big beasts are CO2 belchers in comparison, but big car makers are clued into the fact so most now make pick-ups as nice inside as luxury saloons.
Based on the mighty Mitsubishi L200, Fiat’s fancy Fullback is a great example.
It adds slick exterior bodywork, sharp Bi-Xenon lamps and smart leather upholstery in the pricier LX models.
While the L200 comes in various cab styles, bed lengths and drivetrains, the Fullback offers just the 2.4-litre diesel in two power outputs and a double-cab body.
I barrelled around in the more powerful 180hp version, which can do 0-62mph in 9.8 seconds and reach 110mph.
It was mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox, which felt clunky at times and could do with some more cogs for motorway cruising but coped well with city traffic.
There was a neat 4WD electronic selector with four modes that range from 2WD to full four-wheel-drive with low-range gearbox.
Fiat Fullback
Key Facts
Price: £34,772
Engine: 2.4-litre diesel
Economy: 37.7mpg
0-62mph: 9.8 seconds
Top speed: 110mph
Length: 5.3 metres
CO2: 196g/km
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I only went off the beaten track by bumping it up on the pavement when I was parking – but that is the point.
Fiat knows lots of prospective customers just want the space, the ability to tow three tonnes and a slick interior.
The Fullback ticks all the boxes – and could save you some cash on your tax return.