Overview
Although it shares the first two letters of its name with Nissan‘s full-size work van, the 2021 NV200 is a small-fry cargo hauler with city-friendly dimensions. In fact, you’ll find many of these vans serving as taxis on the streets of New York (though they may be harder to spot in coming years). The NV200’s low entry price makes it an attractive option for tradesmen on a budget, and its four-cylinder powertrain provides decent mileage. Compared with its rivals, the Nissan offers the least amount of payload capacity and cargo space, but what it lacks in capability it makes up for in comfort and easy maneuverability.
What’s New for 2021?
Very little has changed for the NV200 for 2021. The base S model gains cruise control as a standard feature, and the better-equipped SV now comes with rear backup sensors. Buyers can choose Gun Metallic from the available colors, too.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The Nissan NV200 is the least expensive vehicle in the compact-cargo-van class. Of the two trim levels, we recommend the SV. It provides plenty of things to justify the jump in price, including power-adjustable heated sideview mirrors, remote keyless entry, cruise control with steering-wheel-mounted controls, an additional 12-volt power port in the rear of the center console, body-colored trim, full wheel covers, and a chrome grille.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine motivates the NV200. It makes 131 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque, which isn’t much, even for this class. The Mercedes-Benz Metris, Ram ProMaster City, and Ford Transit Connect all offer considerably more powerful engines. The NV200 is also the only compact cargo van with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which often favors smoothness and fuel economy over acceleration and response.
Towing and Payload Capacity
Given its size and paltry 131 horsepower, it’s no surprise that the NV200 has a maximum payload capacity of just 1480 pounds. Every one of its rivals can haul more weight. In fact, the more powerful Metris can carry nearly 1000 pounds more than the Nissan and boasts the highest tow rating in the class, at 5000 pounds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
By the EPA’s yardstick, the NV200 can achieve 24 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. That’s about average for this class. The more powerful ProMaster City and Transit Connect are more fuel efficient than the Nissan on the highway. For more information about the NV200’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Stretching 185.6 inches from nose to tail with a wheelbase of 115.2 inches, the NV200 is one of the smallest cargo vans in its class. Only the short-wheelbase version of the Transit Connect is smaller. Still, the Nissan’s overall cargo volume of 123 cubic feet is about average for the class. Despite its small dimensions, Nissan says the van can swallow standard-size (40-by-48-inch) pallets thanks to its wide-opening doors. Its rear doors are a 40/60 split, with the shorter door on the left (street) side to minimize traffic disruption when it’s open. Both rear doors feature dual opening positions of 90 and 180 degrees. The simple, cloth-covered interior is about average in terms of comfort. One cool feature is the versatility of the front passenger’s seat, which folds down to serve as a worktop or as an extension surface when carrying long cargo.
Nissan
Infotainment and Connectivity
Nissan doesn’t exactly pack the NV200 with in-cabin technology. The van’s infotainment and connectivity features are minimal, even for this class. A 7.0-inch color touchscreen is standard; Nissan says it’s the largest in the segment. Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio (subscription sold separately), and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are standard. Its dashboard features a single USB port.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The majority of Nissan’s new cars and SUVs come with a long list of electronic driver aids and active safety systems such as forward-collision braking and blind-spot warning, but unfortunately, the automaker doesn’t offer any of these high-tech systems on the NV200. Only an electronic stability-control system, front airbags, and roof-mounted curtain side-impact airbags are standard. In this regard, Nissan lags behind its competition, as other vans offer many more safety systems. For more information about the NV200’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Nissan’s basic warranty package on the NV200 is significantly longer than the warranties offered on the ProMaster City, Transit Connect, and Metris. Nissan, however, does not include any scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers five years or 100,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
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