I’ve been looking forward to driving the new Nissan Navara since I attended the European launch in November. This past week behind the wheel of the new NP300 Navara has been a getting-to-know-it experience and I’m impressed.

There are so many changes in this new Navara that it’s difficult to know where to start. Virtually everything is different, apart from the ladder-type chassis. The cabin, the engine and the suspension are all new. The driving sound and feel are both noticeably different. Crew cab drivers have always moaned about the lack of comfort, and that moan was especially loudest from the back-seat drivers. Nissan’s five-point rear suspension system aims to change that. The system uses a combination of coil springs with anti-roll support bars to give a leading level of comfort. I drove more than 700km across a range of road and off-road conditions and was well impressed with the smoothness and comfort.

That comfort level, coupled with the fact that the new Navara is rated to tow 3,500kg, means that it will be a sure winner with the trailer-towing fraternity. This now has the highest crew-cab 4x4 towing rating on the Irish market.

Some might question the success of this rear-axle suspension arrangement without considering that many other passenger 4x4s have been using it successfully for years. Nissan is not fitting a trailer stability management system at this stage, but expect to see it in the not-too-distant future.

I was a bit surprised that a tow bar is on the extras list. It costs €435, including parts, labour and VAT, to have one fitted, while others include it as standard.

Under the bonnet, a new Renault-origin 2.3-litre engine replaces the 2.5-litre unit. There are two power options – 190bhp or 160bhp – and that extra power version comes as a result of a twin turbocharger arrangement.

Engine power and torque, which is rated at 450Nm, are close to the top of the class, only slightly eclipsed by the 3.2-litre Ford Ranger. This new Navara is marginally faster, in terms of acceleration, than the old one and close to the 3.2-litre Ranger performance also. Nissan has a new single flywheel clutch in the Navara and this, along with the more refined engine, gives a smoother drive.

The Navara comes with impressive claims of fuel economy. The rated figure is 15.6km/litre (6.4l/100km or 44mpg) and that’s over 24% more economical than the previous Navara, which was, up till recently, ahead of all others.

My test drive gave me close to 10km/litre (28mpg/10l/100km). That converts to a figure that’s some 50% lower. I’m not surprised about that result, as I was making full use of the sixth gear for some lengthy motorway driving, followed by the typical rural roads, where fuel-sapping gear changes are more necessary.

I wondered whether an automatic version would have performed better. The Navara is available with a seven-speed one, and I expect more crew-cab drivers to take this option in the future.

Nissan claims to have boosted the ladder-type chassis that underpins the new Navara, to take the extra towing loads. The body work of the new Navara is well protected with a sealant product, while the chassis and that of most other 4x4 pickups is the exposed part. The overall Navara package is impressive in so many respects, as long as Nissan can deliver a new level of reliability to the crew-cab pickup. Over 5,000 Irish owners like them for their space and comfort, as well as economy; now all they need is a reliability assurance with the new Navara.

Nissan aims to provide this by offering a five-year or 160,000km warranty. Mitsubishi offers a similar package on the L200, so there’s plenty of competition.

This new Navara has impressive safety features that include driver, passenger, side, knee and curtain airbags, electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD), Hill Start Assist, Isofix rear seat attachments and Hill Descent Control. Prices start at €33,250 including VAT, while for Northern Ireland buyers it is £22,051. That’s a competitive pricing in the 4x4 crew cab market.

Nissan has slipped down in the 4x4 crew-cab pickup market, with new arrivals from Toyota and Ford now dominating. The new Navara has potential to be a class leader. It has the best economy, towing ability, acceleration and lowest CO2, and now I can confirm that it has the best comfort. It will provide an aggressive challenge in the 4x4 crew cab market.