FIRST and foremost, the Nissan Navara is a workhorse.

You will most likely see this pick-up parked close by to or at least on journey to some place where people are getting their hands dirty.

It might well be asked to traverse a field, negotiate a dirt track or negotiate a rocky path, and it will probably be loaded to the gills.

For these reasons it is available with the option of two or four-wheel drive, hill descent control, hill start assist, high and low ratio gears and a five-link rear suspension system that does a fine job of protecting your cargo or your fillings from being shaken loose.

The new version of the Navara - called the NP300 - is therefore one tough cookie, but it has a soft side too.

In fact Nissan has applied the quality of its renowned crossover range to ensure it also looks smart and is fit for purpose not only for work but leisure too.

The seating comes straight out of the Qashqai crossover mould and you can have your Navara equipped with leather seating, an around view monitor, rear camera and a touchscreen.

There are new engines, too. Replacing the 2.5-litre diesel are a couple of 2.3-litre diesels with a choice of either 160PS in single-turbo form or a generous 190PS with twin-turbochargers. Both engine options can be specified with a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission, with two- and four-wheel-drive available depending on the model

Besides trim level, the other choices you will need to make when buying a Navara are whether to go for a King Cab four-door four seat version or Double Cab four-door five-seater and whether to opt for a hard top at the back.

Eager to show off the Navara's ability as not just a pick-up but also a fully-fledged off-roader, Nissan invited motoring journalists to test its capabilities on some of the harshest terrain in the Yorkshire Dales. After two hours of negotiating streams, rutted tracks and potentially very damaging rock-strewn paths I have to say I was mightily impressed with its capability.

With the ability to switch between two and four-wheel drive plus a low ratio option and lock for the transmission for extra traction, if you work on construction sites or in the great outdoors the Navara is a competent and easy to drive go-anywhere holdall that has a 3.5-tonne towing capacity.

The higher-powered engine is probably the one to go for, because it will not need you to work it as much. You are aware that there's a big, slightly gruff engine under the bonnet, but it does a decent job in traffic and on the open road.

Other key selling points are the service interval of 24,000 miles or 24 months and the improved fuel consumption figure of 44.9mpg.

Nissan reckons 90 per cent of Navara customers will go for higher trim specification versions, but even with nice touches such as a leather steering wheel, seats and gear lever there is still the overriding feel that this is a vehicle with a job to do and it must primarily be hard-wearing. For soft-touch plastics, please look elsewhere.

The key competitiors in the pick-up market - Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi L200 and Isuzu D-Max -are literally giants in their field with loyal followings. The Navara, already the winner of an international pick-up of the year award, might now just have the edge.

The range now spans five models, each offering impressive levels of standard specification and excellent value for money. The entry-level Visia model includes features such as manual air conditioning, Bluetooth, aux and USB audio inputs, cruise control with speed limiter and automatic headlights.

Moving up to the Acenta model brings 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim, a five-inch TFT information screen and Nissan’s Intelligent Key for keyless entry and start, while the Acenta+ version adds the more powerful twin-turbo engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, reversing camera, electric folding and heated door mirrors and rear privacy glass.

Next up is the new N-Connecta trim grade, which adds the NissanConnect 7-inch touchscreen system with satellite navigation, DAB radio, app integration and live traffic updates, while the range-crowning Tekna version has all this plus the intelligent Around View Monitor, rear parking sensors, leather heated front seats, roof rails and LED headlights.

Prices start at £18,376 (excluding VAT). You certainly get a lot of car for your money.

l For more details or a test drive visit Alexanders Nissan York, Great North Way, Nether Poppleton, York, YO26 6RB. Phone 0844 846 7445 or go to the website, alexanders-nissan.co.uk