Bugger :) by the time I get round tio posting - Its all change - 3 stars is
still pretty poor for a new vehicle and smashing into something solid would
mean
serious harm to one though the weight and that high position could possibly
mean death for the other car If it was small  (even 5stars which most of
them are)

Ah, but it's a 3-star vehicle after the recall work is done, when it scores
as well as or better than quite a few family cars. Also, it's a 3-star
vehicle (type N1), for which the legislation is a lot more lax than for
passenger cars and so greatly exceeds the minimum requirements.

Unfortunately, there are not many vehicles that fulfil Navara's role. For
example, AFAICT it's the only N1 pickup that's been approved for a MTW of
over 5 tonnes, which makes it the natural choice for anyone who wants an
EU-legal, fifth-wheel caravan. The choice of tug for that type of outfit
for anyone with only B+E is pretty much Navara or forget it!

As far as small traders are concerned, I suspect the pragmatic among them
will continue to put lugging power and carrying capacity over something as
intangible as safety. Of the pickups so far tested, only the L200 (with a
much lower payload and MTW) has higher scores. That said, it'll be
interesting to see how the others (Ranger, Hilux, etc.) fare.

Geoff

Anyone had a good laugh at the vehicle favoured by small traders as it looks
butch and MUST be safe - getting ONE STAR (and that was qualified) in the
NCAP test results.
Its often been said that getting only one (or ws it 2) stars was the final
nail in the Metros coffin :) LOL