Plenty of manufacturers boast about their pick-up trucks having car-like road manners but Nissan really delivers.
Despite its mighty appearance, the NP300 Navara delivers a truly upmarket driving experience that would give some big saloons a run for their money.
Small wonder that it was named the best pick-up in the 2016 Diesel Car Top 50 – a list of the best cars on sale. Indeed, of more than 200 new cars tested by the Diesel Car judging panel, the Navara was the only pick-up included in the list of 50 models.
Far from being just a humble workhorse, this more manoeuvrable pick-up is packed with technology to make life more refined, safer and a lot more luxurious than you might imagine.
Many buyers are looking as much for a lifestyle vehicle as a simple load shifter and the Navara happily caters for those looking for a large, comfortable family car that can shift a mountain of gear.
There is plenty of choice too. The Navara can be specified with either a double cab or a king cab and a 190 horsepower twin-turbo or 160 horsepower single turbo version of the new 2.3-litre dCi engine. There is also a choice of two- or four-wheel drive and a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission.
With five trim grades, standard equipment has taken another leap forward. All models come with seven airbags, electronic braking differential, off-road electronic aids such as hill start assist, cruise control and power windows are also fitted as standard across the range. Even the base Visia model is equipped with air-conditioning if specified in four-wheel-drive form.
Many of the model’s safety features are fitted across the range as standard. This includes forward emergency braking on all double cab models; driver, passenger, side, knee and curtain airbags; electronic limited slip differential; hill start assist and hill descent control (on 4WD models).
Inside, the re-designed interior has a sculpted dashboard that both creates increased cabin space and a more open feel. Huge front seats offer improved comfort and both king cab and double cab models have dual-zone digital climate control, as well as new rear cab ventilation and seat design.
The test model came in top-of-the-range Tekna specification where the entire technological toy box has been emptied inside.
So you get keyless entry, rear camera and parking sensors, roof rails, LED headlamps, leather seats and Nissan’s acclaimed around view monitor as standard. Available only with the 190 horsepower twin-turbo engine, Tekna models also include heated front seats and an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat.
Should you be more interested in load-lugging than luxury, then the Navara's robust chassis also introduces a host of new features, including an all-new five-link rear suspension for the double cab model and an impressive load bed, which is 67mm longer than the previous model.
Load carrying and towing ability has been improved across the range, with payload ratings in excess of one tonne across the range and an impressive towing capacity of 3,500kg.
The load bed itself is home to Nissan's C-channel load system, which uses heavy-duty channels on the rear cabin bulkhead and bed sides, to give complete flexibility when it comes to securing vulnerable loads. Because the clamps slide along the C-shaped channel tracks, even the most unusually-shaped load can be secured with ease.
It is also as capable off-road as it is on-road with a four-wheel-drive system that can be engaged and disengaged electronically using a rotary button located on the dashboard. For best economy and handling drivers can stay in 2WD mode on the road. For off-road conditions drivers can select the 4WD mode while driving up to 60mph and for those in tricky off-road situations a mechanical diff-lock is available.
So whether you are looking for a luxurious lifestyle car or a rugged, reliable workhorse, or both, the award-winning Navara is the real deal.


Auto facts
Model: Nissan NP300 Navara Tekna Double Cab
Price: £24,792.50
Fuel consumption (Combined): 44.1mpg
Top speed: 114mph
Length: 533cm/209.8in
Width: 208.5cm/82in
Gross vehicle weight: 3,010kg
Fuel tank capacity: 17.6 gallons/80 litres
CO2 emissions: 169g/km
Service interval: 24 months/18,000 miles
Warranty: Five years/100,000 miles