Nissan Navara

It’s a superb workhorse, as happy and competent bashing through creeks as it is tootling about the suburbs.

• Comfort

  As it’s a workaday ute running an ancient cart-sprung bum, the Navara’s ride is what you’d call firm, but even unladen it’s never bouncy.

  

• Performance

  Both the petrol and the turbo-diesel engines offer perky performance, but the petrol is the more aggressive of the two, but it’s thirsty when pushed.

  

• Cool

  With its pumped-guards, the Navara has a real tough-truck air to it. It’s easily the pick of the sports-oriented fourbys.

  

• Quality

  
  The quality of the trim is excellent; you won’t feel like you’re sitting in a tupperware container, like you do in so many other work-and-play wannabes.

  

• Handling

  The Navara’s a Clydesdale that thinks it’s a thoroughbred, with decent steering and a firm but stable ride. It handles more like a big car than a truck.

  

• Practicality

  Perhaps the Navara’s best asset, it’s got a braked towing capacity of 3000kg, and a ruddy great tray in which you can up-end almost a tonne of gear into.

  

• Running costs

  
  Navara isn’t cheap but one test-drive will prove it’s worth the extra coin over its competitors, and while you’ll pay a premium, diesels tend to hold their value better than petrol models.