THE latest batch of pick-ups on the market close the gap between what was once a humble workhorse and a luxury SUV.

One such is the Nissan Navara in its latest form.

Offered as a conventional pick-up, a two-door king cab or a four-door double cab, Navara brings in driving qualities that were once unheard of in what is essentially a work vehicle.

The Navara NP300 Tekna Double Cab is perhaps the best illustration of how the rise in the leisure industry has fueled the widening of the horizon of this type of vehicle from the builder's yard to the executive driveway.

Costing £26,209 on the road, here is a vehicle that can seat five in comfort with easy access and transport a massive amount of gear on its generous loadbed.

But add a £3,300 premium, lockable hardtop plus a £360 loadbed liner and this vehicle becomes a mega-estate, fit for most purposes a family needs.

Many might think that pick-ups are tough to drive. Years ago this might have been true, but these days technology and customer demands have driven up expectation and the Navara is as pleasant to drive as an executive saloon.

Its long length takes a little getting used to when parking but the Tekna model's parking sensors and around view monitor make it easy.

This vehicle was fitted with a seven-speed auto transmission linked to a punchy 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel engine with power aplenty at 190ps.

The Navara in earlier forms was never short on power and could be a little skittish on gravel, but this latest version with vastly improved ride quality seems a much better driving proposition without losing any of the punch which Navara drivers love.

The Tekna Double Cab features a five-link coil spring rear suspension which makes a big difference.

Maximum speed is as impressive 112mph and there is an impressive zoom from standstill to 62mph of 10.8 seconds and economy is to the fore with a combined mpg of 40.3.

And it has a specification that would do justice to a premium saloon with features such as an emergency braking system, hill-start assist and much more.

There's a selector to switch into four-wheel-drive which gives low-range mode with electric limited-slip differential.