PICK-UPS have become increasingly big business, especially among buyers who have no plans to use them for trade – and some have got a little too posh for their own good.

At least that is the message some business people have been sending out loud and clear to car makers.

In these straitened times, hard-working folk said they were looking for a vehicle that was, above all, affordable.

Cut the plush interiors, ever-increasing levels of specification and fancy paintwork and deliver something useable and practical.

Nissan said it listened to those concerns and produced a version of the Navara pick-up tailor-made for those keeping a close eye on the finances.

The result is the entry-grade Visia version, which is priced from £17,995.

Savings in specification include interior door handles finished in black rather than chrome, a front bumper in body colour rather than two-tone, painted grille struts rather than chromed and conventional wiper blades in place of the flat blades found on higher specification versions.

Simple stuff but none of the changes affect the vehicle’s ability and functionality with the Navara Visia providing a 2.36m2 load bed and an internal bed length of more than 1.5m.

Also unchanged is the Navara’s 2,600kg towing capacity and maximum 1,250kg payload.

Under the bonnet sits a new version of the 2.5-litre dCi diesel four-cylinder engine, producing 142 horsepower and capable of up to 34.5mpg. I managed an average of 32mpg with a 300-mile mix of town and motorway driving.

Though Nissan has deliberately trimmed back the specification, the Visia remains exceptionally comfortable and quiet even when cruising at motorway speeds.

It is also far from spartan, with air conditioning, central door locking, six airbags, CD player and Bluetooth phone link.

The go-anywhere abilities of the pick-up are delivered by a part-time four-wheel drive system that provides drive to the rear wheels under normal conditions, or splits the power to all four wheels when 4WD mode is engaged.

The system, operated by a rotary dial on the dashboard, also has high and low ratio modes, the latter providing huge levels of traction and pulling power, especially on steep slopes and sticky situations.

So while there have been changes to appeal to buyers on a budget, the Visia still offers a posh pick-up for folk looking for a vehicle with plenty of space and serious towing ability.

Clearly Nissan understands how to do the business.

At a Glance

  • Model: Nissan Navara Visia
  • Fuel consumption: 34.5mpg
  • Length: 529.6cm/208.5in
  • Width: 184.8cm/72.6in
  • Max trailer weight (unbraked): 750kg
  • Permissible total weight: 3210kg
  • Max wading depth: 450mm
  • CO2 emissions: 215 g/km
  • Top speed: 104mph
  • Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres/17.6 gallons
  • Prices start at £17,995