Nissan NV200 (2009 – 2019) Review

Nissan has answered calls for more power and variety in the NV200 range with the 110PS version of the 1.5-litre, Renault-sourced turbodiesel engine. This motor makes the NV200 into something of a hot hatch among vans thanks to its low down shove and spirited acceleration. It also makes it ideal for city delivery driving as it has plenty of urge for nipping out of side streets and on to busy roads when you don’t want to be left trundling. The six-speed manual gearbox is a pleasure to use with its light, precise action and, combined with light foot pedals, it makes the NV200 a very easy van to get on with in heavy traffic conditions.

Away from congested city roads, the NV200 is just as happy in 110PS form on the motorway thanks to its added power. Take things in your stride and the claimed 53.3mpg average economy is attainable to make the Nissan decently easy on the pocket. 

Another fact the NV200 has in its favour is refinement. It is one of the quietest vans we have encountered in any class, with little engine, wind or road noise present or audible in the cab. This makes a real difference on long drives or at the end of a busy day when you want to get home with minimum stress.

The 90PS 1.5 diesel is a keen performer and still endows the NV200 with a nippy turn of speed in town, working through its five-speed transmission cleanly and quickly to keep pace with faster traffic. On more open roads, there is some engine noise to be heard as the 90PS engine has to be worked harder than the 110PS version.

Still, the 1.5 dCi doesn’t seem to mind being pushed quite hard and it suits the NV200’s nature, which is underlined by its zesty handling. There’s little body lean in corners and the Nissan’s steering is quick and faithful in its responses to the driver’s inputs. It makes it a fun van to pilot on twisting roads, while a driving position that is higher than a Ford Transit Connect’s also means you can see further up the road to make full use of the Nissan’s impressive grip and balance.

The minimal body lean does, however, come at some expense and the suspension is not the most gifted when it comes to dealing with rowdy stretches of tarmac. It’s far from being uncomfortable, but some ridges and dents in the road’s surface make themselves felt where a Citroen Berlingo glides on undisturbed.

It’s hard not to be impressed by how much space Nissan has found inside the footprint of the NV200. Where some of its rivals manage to just about offer enough useful load capacity to get by, the NV200 can muster 4.2 cubic metres of load volume and easily accommodate two Euro pallets. It means the Nissan is one of the most useful, spacious vans in its class when it comes to carrying goods and equipment.

The asymmetric rear doors open out to a maximum of 180-degrees to leave a clean and unhindered load entrance, while the twin sliding side doors that are standard on all NV200 models only go to highlight the thought and consideration that have gone into the van’s design.

Further evidence of Nissan’s attention to detail in the design of the NV200 is its low load sill height and a load area length of just more than two metres. A little intrusion from the rear wheel arches is evident but it won’t stop you from packing the Nissan to the gunwales with kit, helped by a taller roof height than much of the competition. It has a maximum payload of 750kg, so filling the NV200 with bulkier loads is not a concern.

You won’t have to worry about filling up the cab with gear either as it has 13 different storage points dotted around to keep folders, invoices and mobile phones all safely in their place. There is even a storage space under the driver’s seat that is accessed by lifting up the seat base and this is ideal for keeping valuables out of sight when you’re out of eye shot of the van.

On the passenger’s side, the single seat can be tipped forward to create a flat work table. The passenger can be treated to a dedicated airbags as part of an options pack that also includes curtain airbags. Further safety can be added to the NV200 with optional ESP available. The driver has an airbag as standard in all models and the entry-level E model comes with a tubular bulkhead between the passenger and load compartments. The SE and n-tec models have a full steel bulkhead included.

Also standard with every NV200 is Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone connection, remote central locking, alarm and a drive computer. The SE and n-tec models also have a rear view camera, while the n-tec is further treated to cruise control with a speed limiter.

The high set driving position is comfortable and gives a good view of the road ahead and to the side. Plenty of support is provided by the well padded and shaped seats and there’s good room for the driver’s shoulders, elbows and knees, which is not always the case in vans of this size. As for the dash, it’s well made, looks good and presents all of its information in a quick-read style, again showing Nissan’s dedication to making the NV200 as user-friendly as possible.