The Nissan Navara is never going to take top prize at a beauty pageant (It did win an award, but not for its looks). It’s a pick-up and, despite their popularity, I’m willing to bet a week’s salary – don’t get your hopes up, it’s really not that much – that buyers have rarely opted for one over a more traditional vehicle because of their looks.

Pick-ups are practical, utilitarian vehicles and, consequently, form necessarily follows function. They sit high on their springs, providing good ground clearance, have broad, flat surfaces to convey an image of robust durability and rarely demonstrate any evidence of design flair.

The Navara is no exception yet, after a week spent behind the wheel of the base Visia model, I can honestly say that there are few cars that I’ve enjoyed more.

A small part of the reason for that is unquantifiable, just the big kid in me playing at being a farmer coming to the fore once more, but it’s also because the Navara happens to be a very good car.

The twin-cab is spacious and will easily accommodate five people. The seats are firm but comfortable. There’s little lateral support but it’s unlikely you’ll ever be taking corners quickly enough to need it.

The switchgear feels like it will stand a fair bit of abuse but, while Nissan have clearly done their best to imbue the cabin with a car-like ambience, there remains an undeniably industrial feel. Higher trim levels do add a little more elegance.

Despite its basic appearance equipment levels are quite generous. There’s no multimedia touchscreen interface – just a tiny LCD display – but you do get hill start assist, hill descent control, Bluetooth handsfree calling, USB and auxiliary sockets and cruise control with speed limiter.

There are also three 12v sockets, including one mounted centrally atop the dashboard, which is ideally placed for plugging in the aftermarket sat nav that you’ll need without having the cable draped in front of the fascia.

The Visia sits on 16inch steel wheels – it also has a full-size spare – fitted with deep-walled 255/70 tyres. It does take a second or two to settle over larger undulations but the ride is never less than comfortable. It deals with smaller imperfections with aplomb.

The driver, and passengers, get a commanding view of the road ahead and, for the most part, either side. However, the view out the back is limited and, without the assistance of parking aids, that makes manoeuvring tricky, particularly in car parks.

It’s reassuring to know, then, that the Navara will almost certainly escape any minor skirmish unscathed.

The four-cylinder turbodiesel produces 158bhp which translates into a leisurely, unhurried drive. Towing capacity is three-and-a-half tonnes but realistically, if that’s high on your list of things to do, you might want to consider a more powerful version from the range.

It’s noisy, under stress, but surprisingly refined at cruising speed. In fact, apart from wind roar – not unexpected given the distinct lack of anything resembling aerodynamics – the cabin is a tranquil, relaxed place to be and certainly quieter than a sizeable minority of the passenger cars that I’ve driven.

It corners as you probably imagine, with a fair amount of body roll and a noticeable shifting of its mass onto the outside wheels. The steering’s power assistance is discreet, and it can feel a little bit like trying to turn an oil tanker, but that heft also serves as a useful reminder that you’re driving an unusually large vehicle.

The gear stick possesses an incredibly long throw, which obviously slows down changes as you go hunting for the next cog, and contributes to the sensation that you’re driving a commercial vehicle. A sensation that’s largely at odds with what you see around you.

If you’re in the market for a pick-up the Navara NP300 should feature somewhere on your list. If you’re planning on doing some heavy lifting, or towing, the 158bhp Visia might be a little underpowered.

While its credentials as a working vehicle are undeniable, it is its potential as everyday family transport that really sets it apart. Its refined – most of the time – comfortable and the cabin is spacious enough to sit five adults in comfort.

It’s a combination that its rivals struggle to match.

Nissan Navara Visia Double Cab

Price: £23,995

As tested: £24,560

Engine: 2.3-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel

Transmission: 6-speed manual driving all four wheels

Max power: 158bhp

Max torque: 297lbft @ 1,500rpm

Max speed: 107mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 12sec

Urban: 40.3mpg

Extra urban: 46.3mpg

Combined: 44.1mpg

Emissions (CO2): 169g/km

For more information visit www.nissan.co.uk