Nissan's new Navara has been developed alongside the Pathfinder SUV and as such shares many of the features of a quality off-roader. It is a more sophisticated proposition than a pure utility vehicle. It's offered as a King Cab with small 'suicide' rear doors that are hinged at the rear and reveal a pillarless opening to the cab area with occasional rear seating for two. Alternatively a Double Cab format features four conventional doors and seats up to five. Both have the same wheelbase and overall length, so the King Cab has the larger capacity pick-up bay although Nissan claims both offer class leading load areas. A single cab option is not offered. Navara also dominates the class in terms of its engine with a significantly more potent unit than any rival. It's not the cheapest option out there, but it is the best currently available.
Navara is offered in four trim levels: Standard, SE and Aventura A, and the Double Cab is available in a further range-topping Aventura spec. The later is claimed to be the best-equipped pick-up ever officially sold in the UK. It features leather upholstery, electric windows, sunroof and seats, DVD satellite navigation, a premium sound system and Bluetooth phone compatibility. The driving position, common to all models is very good with a comfortable driving position easy to achieve although it is set up for a more upright driving position to maximise rear space.
The 2.5 four cylinder turbodiesel produces 171bhp which is significantly more than any rival. It's also equipped with an switchable four-wheel drive system with high and low ratios and the same ladder-frame chassis and front suspension as the Pathfinder (mated to rear leaf springs). Consequently it is very capable in an off-road environment, yet is equally able to perform well on road too with a very respectable zero to 60mph time of 10.8 seconds for a Standard King Cab which has a six-speed manual gearbox. Double Cab Aventura A and Aventura are optionally available with five-speed automatic transmissions. All models have a top speed of 106mph.