I ALWAYS thought pickups were crude, rudimentary, unrefined, and stiff vehicles. Or so I thought. Over the years, however, pickups have become more refined and even handsome enough to a point that they're more than just tools. They've now become lifestyle vehicles, and if there was one vehicle that can lead the way in turning pickups into a fashion statement, that would be my Ford Ranger Wildtrak.

I first drove the current T6 Ford Ranger Wildtrak in 2017. Back then, I had rock-bottom expectations of pickups. But the moment I started driving the vehicle, my prejudices were thrown out of the window. It eventually became my favorite pickup, which makes this vehicle the perfect example for my "five reasons why owning a pickup is fun."

It can go along with your active lifestyle

While everybody was on lockdown, the pandemic has actually made me very active. I couldn't survive a week without going on a run or working out. With a pickup, the bed has become a place for me to rest after a long run or my carrier when I decide to bring a bike. While I don't use a pickup for work, I find that its large bed has become an easy place for me to store all of my athletic gear. Not only is the bed perfect for carrying your life's needs and wants, but it's also a great place to socialize — which I'll illustrate in my next point.

Tailgate parties are fun with a pickup

This is perhaps my primary reason why I want a pickup. Going out in the woods or watching the sunset is fun if you have a huge bed to hang out with. Drop down the windows, plug in your wireless speakers through the 12-volt socket in the bed (if available), pop open that can of beer or grab a cup of coffee from the nearest coffee shop, and watch the sun sink below the horizon. This is what epic bonding moments with friends are made of.

Pickups are your perfect camping buddy

With a huge bed behind you, not only is it a great place to hang out with friends, but it's also a great place to set up a campsite. That huge open space gives you great flexibility to set up your sleeping quarters or your kitchen when given the necessary equipment. Hang an awning at the pickup's roof (or roof rails if equipped), and you're practically set in having the time of your life out in the woods. If you own an SUV, you can hang a tent on its roof, but it's never going to be as roomy as a pickup's bed.

It will let you travel far

With most pickup being fitted with a diesel-powered engine, fuel efficiency is unparalleled when compared to an equivalent gasoline SUV. Granted that diesel fuel isn't exactly cheap nowadays (it's actually even more expensive than gasoline), but combined with a diesel engine's inherent efficiency, thanks to its large fuel tank (around 70 liters on average) as well as impressive pulling power, you can travel far even with a single tank of diesel. Just be prepared to shell out thousands when topping up a truck's fuel tank.

It is able to go (almost) anywhere

Due to a pickup's tall ride height, body-on-frame chassis, and solid rear axle, pickups are ready to traverse any terrain or any river that meets a pickup's rated water wading depth. However, to truly be able to conquer all kinds of terrain, you also need a four-wheel drive (4WD) system. Not to be confused with all-wheel drive, a proper 4WD system comes with stuff like a low-range gearbox and a locking differential for the rear and/or front axles. We won't go too deep into these off-roading terms, but the point is, when properly configured, floods, river crossings, mud, or even rocks are the least of your concerns when driving a pickup.

Pickups have certainly evolved to offer more than just their inherent toughness. These days, pickups have grown to be more comfortable, refined, and car-like. This is why it isn't surprising that among the top 10 best-selling vehicles in the Philippines last year, two of those were pickups.

For those living on poorly built roads or flood-prone areas, pickups have replaced the passenger car as their default family vehicle of choice. At the same time, the go-anywhere appeal of pickups eventually became a selling point for thrill-seekers and outdoorsy individuals.