CAR or commercial, lifestyle or workhorse? Those are the questions that could be asked about Nissan's ever-improving Navara pick-up.

With car-like comfort, surprising economy and an attractive purchase price when you take into account standard equipment, its no surprise that many now choose this type of vehicle as the family transport.

On top of that it is classed as a commercial vehicle, business users pay less tax they would pay on an ordinary car.

Nissan says the vehicle offers ‘go anywhere, do anything' qualities and it comes in many guises from straight flat bed or with option to fully enclose the payload area.

But the double cab is surely the most appealing of this dual purpose vehicle with its five seat arrangement and comfort to match most family saloons.

It can carry 1,125kg and tow a 2.6 tonne trailer, but remains pretty refined on the road.

Equipment levels are impressive and include leather seats, heated and power adjustable in the front, automatic headlamps, headlamp wash, rain sensing windscreen wipers, a trip computer, cruise control, a six-CD autochanger with steering wheel controls, power fold mirrors and rear dark tinted glass and roof rails depending on model. The Nissan Connect Premium sat nav system is the only option.

Choosing a car like this, however, is not without its problems. The width and length means it can be a nightmare to park, but it handles pretty will for such a tall vehicle although it is less composed in a straight line.

The pick-up bed on the Double Cab measures 2.36 square meters, ideal for fence panels and bags of cement but as a family vehicle the covered back will be required as would be anchorage points for keeping items placed in the rear stable.

This has been addressed with a system that incorporates five rails (one channel on either side of the load floor, plus one on each of the three fixed sides of the pick-up bed) into which self-locking cleats can be placed, providing fixed points for securing ropes and a full range of bespoke accessories. The lockable tailgate swings down to take person's weight, but it is heavy so care needs to be taken.

Like most pick-ups it has imposing looks and never failed to grab attention wherever parked.

The interior is neat and tidy with he door pockets can hold an A3 map book as well as a one-litre bottle plus rear door storage pockets.

Switchgear is well laid out instruments are clear, legible and logical, while safety is also comprehensive with front, rear and curtain airbags and ABS braking and stability programme.

The vehicle is also a capable off-roader with driver able to switch manually to either high or low ratio at the twist of a dial on the dash.

The 2.5-litre diesel engine  provides 188bhp resulting in impressive pulling power.The four-wheel drive system  provides drive to the rear wheels under normal conditions or a 50/50 torque split to all four wheels when 4WD mode is engaged. 

It is also quick with a top speed of 112mph and is no slouch from a standing start, taking just taking less then 11 seconds to reach 60mph.

But the economy is perhaps the most impressive part, with a claimed 33.2mpg in manual form.

Carbon dioxide emissions of 224g/km are also reasonably respectable for a four-wheel drive vehicle weighing in at just over two tonnes.

Workhorse or lifestyle - take you choice, or enjoy the best of both worlds.