We review the Nissan Navara Double from price to economy and all its features

TWILIGHT movies, Pop Tarts, Kim Kardashian … what do these things have in common?

They're all made in America, which the UK should hate — yet for some baffling reason, we don't.

3

Meanwhile, pick-up trucks — one of America's greatest achievements — have never caught on. And that makes me sad. Because they are awesome.

It could be because they're an absolute nightmare to drive in town. And yes, their monstrous engines guzzle fuel.

The redneck, hillbilly image doesn't do them any favours either.

3

But there's no denying a small part of us petrolheads longs for a mini monster truck on the driveway, even if the only off-road action it will ever see is the garden centre car park.

Nissan believes its new Navara could be the model to turn Britain around. It's the pick-up truck for everyday use, it says, with greater fuel efficiency and a more comfortable crossover cabin.

Called the NP300, it's certainly the most versatile pick-up Nissan has produced to date.

The range starts at £21,995 for the robust, building-site friendly King Cab 4WD model, and extends to £29,095 for an opulent Double Cab Tekna version with enough room for a family of five and all the plush bells and whistles expected from a modern SUV.

More Motors

Luxury camping, hefty price tag

We review the VW California SE from price to economy and all its features

sexier, sharper and more spacious

We review the Renault Scenic from price to economy and all its features

Sophisticated styling, fun to drive

We review the Ford Ka from price to economy and all its features

Lamborghini performance for less

We review the Audi R8 V10 Plus from price to economy and all its features

The wheelbase has been reduced to tighten its turning circle, the 2.3-litre dCi diesel engine has been refined to offer better fuel efficiency (up to 44.9mpg in the lower powered models) and the optional seven-speed automatic gearbox makes life in traffic a lot simpler.

Hardcore fans need not worry, either — this hulking brute has more pulling power than Harry Styles at a hen-do, with the range-topping 184bhp engine serving up a meaty 450Nm of torque.

That means it can handle a one-tonne payload and it will happily n in tow up to 3.5 tonnes, even in challenging terrain.

Or, for those not familiar with technical language, it could pull down a castle wall. But let's be honest, a lot of us don't even own a tonne's worth of stuff, let alone need to cart it around.

3

In the past, this has been an issue for vehicles like this. Their rudimentary suspension systems can suffer when there's nothing to weigh down the rear.

So Nissan has tackled this issue with a brand new five-link independent rear suspension setup which improves ride quality and handling no end.

I tested it back-to-back with the older models, and the difference is genuinely staggering.

It actually passes as a fairly comfortable everyday car.

Oh, and there's now a five-year, 100,000-mile manufacturer warranty for added peace of mind.

I have a few minor quibbles about the Navara, though. One is with the steering. It's too heavy and demands too much upper body effort to get it safely around a tight roundabout.

And no matter how much the interior resembles a Qashqai, this still very much feels like a pickup truck from the driving seat. Which some people won't like.

But I'm a sucker for these giants and I think a shiny Double Cab NP300 would look superb on my driveway.

And yes, there would be a copy of The Sun on display in the windshield.