Nissan Townstar Review 2024

Global alliances are as commonplace in the van industry as they are in the car industry, so it comes as no surprise to discover that Nissan’s latest small van – the Nissan Townstar – is essentially a Renault Kangoo with a different front end. But is it as good? Our Nissan Townstar review will tell you what you need to know.

Nissan is no stranger to the small van market. Its NV200 was one of the best-value vans on the market in its heyday and the more recent NV250 was itself a rebadged Renault Kangoo - a van which already shared its platform with the Mercedes-Benz Citan.

Now there’s a new generation of all three of those vans on the market and the Nissan Townstar is arguably the most purposeful in its appearance, with a sharp and angular front end. Otherwise, it’s little different to its Renault sibling, although the Nissan does come with a desirable secret in the form of a lively 131PS turbocharged petrol engine, making it a surprisingly rapid van as well as one that’s unexpectedly good fun to drive.

Like the Renault Kangoo, the Nissan Townstar is available in two lengths: L1 and L2, with a single roof height.

But with Nissan’s model range being more focused at sole traders and SMEs then big fleets, there’s a broader choice of trim levels than on the Renault – four in total, including the flagship Tekna+.

What there isn’t, though, is a diesel. The idea of an oil-burner doesn’t suit Nissan’s green aspirations, and the company aims to cash in on its position as an electric vehicle pioneer by selling at least half of new Nissan Townstars with an electric motor and battery rather than an internal combustion engine.

This review focuses on the petrol Nissan Townstars. Check out our Nissan Townstar Electric review to see how the plug-in model measures up.

As is common in this class, the Nissan Townstar is offered in two body lengths with one roof height.

The L1 comes in at 4.5 metres and the L2 at 4.9 metres, with respective load volumes of 3.3 or 4.2 cubic metres.

Both have 60:40 split twin rear barn doors with a 60:40 split, while the longer model has two side loading doors and the shorter L1 just the one on the nearside. A crew cab version of the longer van isn’t offered with a petrol engine but you will find one if you go for a Nissan Townstar Electric.

Payload is lower than in its sister vans thanks to the petrol only engine and transmission offerings – 788kg to 840kg depending on model, and below the 984kg you can get in a diesel Renault Kangoo, for example. For many small business operators this won’t be a problem, but do bear it in mind if you work in heavier industries.

In terms of load length, the L1 gives a more than decent 1806mm of load length while the longer L2 offers 2230mm, with a maximum load width of 1570mm and 1248mm between the wheel arches on both versions. The maximum loading height, meanwhile, is 1115mm through the door aperture and 1215mm in total.

The cabin is smart and feels better finished than the utilitarian Renault Kangoo, as the Nisan Townstar is targeted far more at smaller volume buyers looking for a single van or just a few vehicle for an SME Enterprise, where appearance and cabin comfort outweigh the volume pricing sought by fleet managers.

All four trim levels get an eight-inch touchscreen, DAB and smartphone integration, while those form Tekna upwards have climate control. The entry-level Accenta has air conditioning, while the range-topping Tekna+ has standard alloy wheels.

Storage is decent with an overhead shelf, a dash-top tray, a deep glovebox and a sizeable storage cubby above the instrument panel.

It’s on the road where the Nissan Townstar really shines.

There’s no diesel option leaving you the choice of the Nissan Townstar Electric reviewed separately, or this, the 1.3-litre tCe petrol, with 131PS. There was a time where you’d expect that of a hot hatchback and not a van…

It goes well, too, with an official top speed of 114mph and a well-spaced six-speed manual transmission making it a lively machine to drive. The downside is that fuel consumption isn’t great at just 36.8mpg combined.

If you’re wondering why just the one petrol option is offered, bear in mind that vehicle manufacturers are measured on their whole range emissions and the lack of a diesel will help Nissan keep its average figure low, not least because the Japanese brand is a fairly low-volume player in the small van market, where the Nissan Townstar’s peppy performance will be considered a selling point by some customers who like the idea of a van with a bit of brio.

After all, the Nissan Townstar (along with its Renault Kangoo and Mercedes Citan siblings) is one of the most enjoyable vans you can drive, with excellent handling and good steering.

Refinement is good with low levels of road noise, visibility is good and the chassis is well-balanced. It’s a genuinely good fun vehicle to drive and for some users that will be a core component in its appeal.