Even before the Nissan Navara reached UK showrooms, it had won awards – the coveted International Pick-Up Award 2016 is proudly displayed on the tailgate and What Van? recently named it Pick-Up of the Year 2016.

AM is running a Navara Tekna for three months to better understand what the awards will mean for sales.

Nissan has made all new Navaras compliant with Euro 6 emissions limits, improving emissions by 4.5% and it claims buyers swapping from an older generation Navara could spend £1,350 less on fuel over a three year/60,000-mile ownership cycle.

Strengths include a sector-best 1.578-metre load bed length, a 1.05-tonne maximum payload and a  3.5-tonne towing capability (400kg more than the Mitsubishi L200).

There are significant invoice-boosting opportunities for the sales executive. Unless buyers want their Navara in white or red, they’ll have to pay £520 for a metallic colour, such as our Savannah Yellow. Other upsells include a £299 Protection Pack, which includes a plastic bedliner, tailgate liner, safety kit and rubber cabin mats, or a £3,300 premium hard top with central locking and interior lighting. For those with smaller budgets, there’s a £2,600 basic hard top, otherwise a £1,800 aluminium tonneau cover or £450 soft tonneau cover.

Nissan is currently promoting a £99-a-year five-year service plan.