Nissan Navara NP300 Tekna Double Cab driven: review

Watch out Volkswagen Amarok, Mitsubishi L200 and the refreshed Ford Ranger – Nissan has revised its Navara NP300 with sights on the class crown. The facelifted truck boasts a modified chassis and four-wheel-drive set-up, along with a more efficient downsized 2.3-litre diesel available as a 158bhp single turbo and the 187bhp twin-turbo tested here.

With three body options – Double Cab, Super Cab and the new Chassis Cab – as well as a one-tonne carrying capacity and 3.5-tonne towing limit, it’s as versatile and practical as you’d hope.

And in order to make the truck a more viable family alternative to the ever-popular SUV class, Nissan has worked hard to improve on-road characteristics as well as improve rear accommodation.

The vast majority of Navara NP300 buyers – 90 per cent, reckons its maker – will go for this Double Cab. It comes in five trim levels, starting with entry-level Visia, with its 16in steel rims, manual air-con, cruise control and forward emergency braking. At the other end of the range is our Tekna, with LED headlights, leather seats (heated in the front), sat-nav, 360-degree camera plus dual-zone climate control. An increased five-year warranty is standard across the board.

It all sounds good – but just how passenger-friendly is the Navara NP300? Well, its crossover-styled cabin certainly wins marks from those looking for something more in keeping with an SUV than a commercial vehicle. The seats are comfortable and supportive front and rear, while well chosen leather and gloss-finished trim feels good and adds an upmarket, car-like air reminiscent of Nissan's X-Trail and Qashqai. There are a lot of hard plastics, but at least these give the robust feel you’d expect of a pick-up.

The diesel powerplant isn’t the most refined unit, producing a rumble at idle and, at speed, a rattling accompanied by a turbo whoosh. It does feel muscular, though, and pulls hard via the smooth seven-speed automatic transmission. Annoyingly, the box has a tendency to hold on to gears, which doesn’t help efficiency, but we prefer this to the manual’s long, vague shift movement.

Nissan’s hard work in developing new five-link rear suspension has paid off in improved ride comfort and handling, particularly when the bed is unladen – a traditional truck problem area. The resultant refinement at speed is impressive, although the same can’t be said for the vague steering.

Overall, in this Tekna trim the practical yet plush Navara NP300 definitely makes a viable case for itself against the more obvious SUV options, and it stands up as a more complete package than a lot of its pick-up rivals, too. The two classes have never been closer; those looking for a practical family vehicle have never had more choice.

Nissan Navara NP300 Tekna Double Cab

On sale: Now

Price: £35,049

Engine: 4cyl in line, 2298cc, twin-turbo, diesel

Power: 187bhp at 3750rpm

Torque: 332lb ft at 1500-2500rpm

Gearbox: 7spd automatic

Kerbweight: 1958kg; 0-62mph 10.8sec

Top speed: 112mph

Economy: 40.3mpg (combined)

CO2/BIK: 183g/km, 34%