Light trucks and light vehicles

A light truck is a vehicle classified as a truck or similar to a truck with a payload capacity of under 1814 kg. Also referred to as light-duty trucks, light trucks are in the same fuel economy class as vans, minivans, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). As opposed to a heavy-duty truck, a light truck is sometimes built on a unibody frame rather than being built on a body-on-frame chassis and therefore does not have the same towing capacity. Though light truck classification includes vans and SUVs, a light truck is typically a small to mid-sized pickup truck. Examples of a light truck include the Chevrolet Colorado, Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma.

A light truck typically has a smaller engine and smaller wheel base than a full-size or heavy-duty truck. Gas mileage is often better on a light truck as well. Both the light truck and the heavy-duty truck are considered utilitarian vehicles for insurance classifications. Many companies and businesses purchase light trucks for their company fleets because they are less expensive and achieve better gas mileage than full-size models. For the same reasons, many individuals choose the light truck for personal use.

If you are considering buying a light truck for personal use, determine how you intend to use your truck first. Light trucks are appropriate for transportation, hauling small loads, and towing small trailers. However, if you plan to haul heavy loads or want to tow heavy-weight items, such as a boat or camper, you should carefully research your purchase. Overloading a light truck can greatly reduce its usage and life span.

It is important to remember that though the light truck is a utilitarian vehicle, it is not built to withstand the same utilization as a heavy-duty model. Many people abuse their light truck by overloading it either with excessive cargo or towing weight. Exceeding the payload or towing capacity of a vehicle can damage its frame and its engine.

If you are into light vehicles, why not try the Hyundai i20 ?

There are three model specs on offer; Active, Elite and Premium, and all are packed to rafters with features.

Standard kit includes and air-conditioned glove box (cooling drinks or chocolates), keyless remote entry with central locking and alarm, Electric Folding side mirrors and windows, USB and full iPod compatibility (you just need to buy the special lead) and full size spare wheel.

There’s even speed sensing automatic door locking which Hyundai calls HALO (Hyundai Active Locking Operation) and the moment you remove the key fob from the ignition barrel, the doors automatically unlock. Not bad for a car with a recommended retail price of $14,990.

When it comes to safety, it’s the same story. Don’t think for one minute that because you’re buying a small car that safety has taken a back seat. Not as far as Hyundai is concerned, at least.

Standard specs include ABS brakes and EBD, ESC Stability Control with TCS (Traction Control System) across the range with Driver and Front passenger airbags on the entry level Active variant, while the Elite and Premium come fitted with additional Front side (thorax) and curtain airbags.

Hyundai were keen to have all six airbags as standard spec on the entire i20 model line-up, but a ‘factory constraint’ had made the job impossible to achieve by the launch date. However, ‘Active’ spec cars rolling off the ship from September will be fitted with all six albeit at a slightly higher price.

The four-speed auto has well placed ratios and does the best it can, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want another gear for a more efficient use of the available power. The five-speed unit is certainly the better drive, but not by any great margin. You can take the revs up a little higher in the lower gears, and that at least gets things moving a tad more urgently.

Where the i20 really shines is in the handling department. You can put the car into a corner at speed, and there’s absolutely no body roll to speak of. The car corners flat and is ‘hot hatch’ agile through the tight bendy sections.

It helps when the steering is accurate and there’s plenty of weight in the steering wheel from dead-centre. The i20 is one of the best examples of how it should all work and without looking at the specifications, I would have sworn it was an electro-hydraulic steering set up, so natural was the level of power assistance. I was wrong, it’s a fully electric power steering system and it works a treat.

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