The popularity of crossovers and sport utility vehicles, not to mention crossover pickup trucks, may make you think that there's no place for light trucks on the road anymore. That being said, it's important to remember that where function is concerned, there're still plenty of reasons to pick a light truck over a utility vehicle.

In fact, when it comes to purchasing a vehicle to help with a variety of trades and other lines of work, a traditional UTE will likely be a much worse decision in the long-run. This is because there are a variety of clear advantages to picking a light truck for your business over a utility vehicle. Here are just some of the ways and reasons that light trucks outperform UTEs.

They give you the space you need.

Not every commercial application of a motor vehicle needs the same amount of space, but if you're looking for more you'll get far more value from a light truck than a competitor. Especially if you need to utilize as much of the payload as possible, having the space to carry your tools as well as any other equipment you need for business is far easier with a light truck. Paying extra for that sort of percent increase from other automakers won't stretch your budget nearly as far, which could be problematic for newer business owners.

They offer superior payload.

Speaking of payload, if you want to really make the most of your payload then any UTE should be off the table. A vehicle's payload isn't just important to how you do your work; it's also integral to how you do your work safely. Having a higher payload will give you the peace of mind you need to take on big jobs, whether that's in the construction industry, landscaping, or other types of mechanical or domestic maintenance. Especially when you consider that a light truck is just as maneuverable as a UTE, there's no reason you should sacrifice payload by picking anything other than a light truck.

They help you tow more.

When it comes to towing heavy cargo, a light truck is just better built for the job than other UTEs, even those advertising 4x4 capabilities. This largely has to do with the overall weight of the vehicle itself, which means that a light truck can guarantee much safer and more effective towing than a utility vehicle. Particularly when it comes to traveling long distances with heavy cargo, the last thing you want to do is push your vehicle to its limits, making light trucks the clear choice over other kinds of passenger cars.

They save you money over the life of the vehicle.

When investing in any motor vehicle for business purposes, it's crucial that you consider how much it will cost your company in the short and long-term. To some people, being able to stay productive and increase efficiencies are two of the biggest reasons to go with a light truck, since the aforementioned features will ultimately offer you a better chance at turning a profit each year. That being said, there are a few other ways that investing in a light truck can save you money over the life of the vehicle, too.

One major example comes down to how durable each part of your light truck is. Especially when combined with other factors like part availability and overall cost of replacement, you're likely to save a lot more money with the upkeep of a light truck than you are other UTEs or passenger cars. The fact that your light truck is made for commercial applications is its own insurance policy of sorts, ensuring that you don't overtax the vehicle and wear it down too quickly, too.