Nissan Pick-Up/Navara (01-05) - Review

Whether you're using Navara as a second car (a lifestyle choice as Nissan puts it for surfers, bodyboarders and mountain bikers) or simply using it to shift men and materials on a building site, you'll appreciate why Navara is the best pick-up of its generation. Available as a single (known simply as Pick Up, rather than Navara), double or king cab, with a powerful 2.5-litre Di diesel engine, Navara set the standards that nearly all pick-up manufacturers now follow. An all-new model was launched in Summer 2005, but this generation still makes a fine used buy. Special editions such as Outlaw add extra kit for a more comfortable drive.

One of Navara's big advantages is its raised driving position. It's comfortable for a commercial vehicle. You get a commanding view and it's possible to see over the tops of cars in front, although visibility out of the back can require some neck-craning and when it's fully loaded, obviously, it's more restricted. Despite Navara's workman roots, the cabin isn't as utilitarian as you may expect. The dash is clear and simple with big, heavy duty buttons.

It's one of the best around on the road, with acceptable - if rather light - steering, a good gearchange and powerful brakes. Although it's far from being nimble, can be tricky to park and suffers from bodyroll (like all in this class), it is powerful and quick. The 2.5-litre Di diesel has 133bhp and those looking for pulling power will be pleased to see 224 lb/ft of torque on offer. There's a decent turn of speed for a vehicle of this type, with 0-60mph achieved in 11.7 seconds for the two-wheel-drive single cab and 13.8 seconds for all other models. It has the ability to carry seriously heavy loads, or get out of trouble in the mud. All cars have selectable four-wheel-drive, with the exception of one model in the single-cab line-up which is two-wheel-drive. Unloaded, the suspension, which is rather crude by passenger car standards, can be a bit on the rough side, as it's designed to carry heavy loads. But it's still much better than many other pick-ups of this age.