Nissan Cabstar NT400 (2007 – 2020) Review

Nissan Cabstar NT400 (2007 – 2020) At A Glance

3/5

+Wide range of conversions available including box van and recovery truck, strong 2.5 dCi engine, feels robust.

-Cramped cabin feels dated, engines are noisy.

The Nissan NT400 Cabstar may be classed as a van but it offers many of the advantages of a larger, heavier vehicle. This is because you can order the Cabstar in three different wheelbases that take it from the standard short wheelbase format all the way to one capable of working as a car transporter. By putting the engine under the cabin, more of the length of the truck can be used as load-carrying space, which means that the Cabstar is more manoeuvrable in town.

Nissan also provides the Cabstar as a chassis-cab set-up, leaving the customer to choose from tipper, dropside and box van configurations. Again, this is more akin to a heavier vehicle than the usual panel vans the Cabstar competes with on price.

The cab forward design is even more evidence of the Nissan’s approach to offering an HGV experience in the van sector. However, all of these truck-like credentials are backed up by a more basic level of refinement in the cab as the engines make themselves known far more than in the likes of the latest Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit.

There’s a choice of three engines, three wheelbase lengths (2500mm, 2900mm and 3400mm) two cab types and three gross vehicle weights – 3.4 tonnes, 3.5 tonnes and 4.5 tonnes. It comes as either a single tilt cab or, on medium and long wheelbase models, a fixed double cab. 

The Cabstar is powered by a 2.5-litre common-rail diesel available in two versions - 110PS or 130PS plus there's a 3.0-litre diesel with 150PS. Short wheelbase models are equipped with a five-speed gearbox, with the exception of the 4.5 tonne model, while a six-speed box is specified on medium and long wheelbase vehicles.

A driver airbag is standard across the range while other safety features include the availability of an airbag for the door-side passenger (Basic+ and above), as well as front fog lamps on Pro+ grade. The cabin structure has been reinforced with beams mounted within the doors to offer greater occupant protection in a side impact.

What does a Nissan Cabstar NT400 (2007 – 2020) cost?