Operators who shed a quiet tear over the demise of the 4x4 Nissan Terrano van should weep no more. Its successor has arrived in the shape of the light commercial version of the five-door Pathfinder SUV.

A close relative of the Navara pick-up it’s one of Nissan’s Good to Go approved conversions and it can handle a 650kg payload. Access to its 2.2m³ cargo bay is by way of a rear hatch or a hinged rear door on each side.

Two versions are up for grabs. As its name suggests, the Obscured Glass Van has blacked-out rear windows to frustrate the unhealthily-curious. The rear side windows are deactivated in line with Type Approval regulations.

If that doesn’t quite match requirements, then the alternative is the Panelled Van. Steel inner and aluminium outer panels replace the rear side glass and the latter are colour-coded to match the rest of the bodywork.

Turning to the cab, the specification is good with remote central locking, electric windows and door mirrors, Bluetooth phone connectivity and dual-zone climate control. A full height steel mesh bulkhead is fitted.

No matter which version you pick you’ll still be able to reclaim the VAT if you’re a registered business says Nissan.

Power is provided by the same new 2.5-litre diesel found under the bonnet of Navara. Hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, it produces 190 horsepower and develops 450 Newton metres of torque.

Four-wheel drive and a low-ratio set of gears are selectable by using a rotary switch on the dashboard.

A big, heavy, vehicle, it’s never going to be the fastest thing on the highway, but is more than capable of holding its own. It’s impressive off-road, happily grinding through the mud and rutted forest tracks thanks to all that torque.

Pathfinder is protected by a three-year/60,000-mile warranty while service intervals are set at a very reasonable 18,000 miles.