The 2017 Nissan NV Cargo's power station is installed with a 4.0 L V6 engine paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The engine cranks out 261 hp of power and 281 pound-feet of torque. Though the engine is compelling, the buyers in this segment would have appreciated a V8 more. The driving is a little linear and old school but the ample cargo volume and heightened trailer capacity make up for the power deficit.
The Nissan NV Cargo van is available in 2 trims the NV1500 S and NV1500 SV. Where the former is priced at $27,730 the latter is rated at $28,720. Both the trims are backed with a potent 4.0L V6 engine paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission.
The difference between the two largely lies in the number of standard features. The SV version received additional features like rear parking sensors, cruise control and more.
| Trim |
NV1500 S |
NV1500 SV |
| MSRP |
$27,730 |
$28,720 |
| Key
Features
|
- 17-inch steel wheel
- 50/50-split rear cargo doors
- air-conditioning
- four-way manually adjustable front seats
- cloth and vinyl upholstery
- a tilt-only steering wheel
- six reinforced D-ring anchors in the cargo area
- 2-speaker CD player with an auxiliary audio input
|
- power-adjustable mirrors
- rear parking sensors
- remote keyless entry
- cruise control
- power windows
- a cargo mat
- trim panels on the cargo walls
- four-speaker stereo with redundant steering wheel controls
|
The standard 4.0-liter V6 in the 2017 Nissan NV1500 and NV2500 HD cargo vans proves surprisingly capable, with nearly as much power as the standard V6 engines offered in the Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster. For light to medium jobs, the V6 delivers strong power and decent fuel economy. -KelleyBlueBook
Engine and Transmission
Based on the Nissan Titian the NV cargo is armed with a 4.0 L V6 powerplant. The engine is backed by a 5-Speed automatic transmission which pumps out 261 hp of power and 281 pound-feet of torque. Hence, its backed with enough muscle to drag heavy loads with ease. The gear shifts are smooth and the transmission transfers the power to the wheels effortlessly.
| Models |
Nissan NV Cargo 1500 S |
Mercedes Benz sprinter cargo 2500 |
Ford Transit Cargo Van T-150 |
GMC Savana cargo 2500 |
| MSRP |
$27,730 |
$33,995 |
$31,760 |
$30,745 |
| Engine |
4.0L V6 |
3.0L V6 |
3.7L V6 |
4.8 V8 |
| Transmission |
5-speed automatic |
5-speed automatic |
6-speed automatic |
6-speed automatic |
| Horsepower |
261 hp @ 5600 rpm |
188 hp @ 3800 rpm |
275 hp @ 6000 rpm |
285 hp @ 5400 rpm |
| Torque |
281 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
325 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm |
260 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
295 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm |
Priced the lowest the Nissan NV is the most economical van in the lot. However, you get a strong V6 which competes with the likes of prime players like Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit cargo, and GMC Savana Cargo. As a package, NV Nissan is a buyer favorite.
Acceleration
The boxy body is not just for show, the van weighs over 2.5 tons which clearly hampers its handling dynamics. Still, the van is capable of sprinting a quarter mile in 17.4 seconds. The 9.6 second, naught to 60 mph acceleration is also quite impressive for this titanic vessel. Rival vans can haul similar weight, the Nissan's acceleration is quite impressive but it is pretty mediocre when compared to the competition.
| Models |
Nissan NV Cargo 1500 S |
Mercedes Benz sprinter cargo 2500 |
Ford Transit Cargo Van T-150 |
GMC Savana cargo 2500 |
| 0-60 MPH |
9.6 sec |
11.2 sec |
7.5 sec |
8.4 sec |
| Quarter mile |
17.4 |
18.3 |
15.9 sec |
16.5 sec |
| Engine |
4.0L |
3.0L |
3.7L |
4.8L |
| Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
The market is filled with a lot of powerful vans which goes neck to neck with the Nissan NV. Ford's been rampant in the minitrucks and vans sections, the Ford transit is its main player in this section. It dashes off in the competitions face with its 7.5-second acceleration. The next one to attain such speed is the GMC Savana Cargo. The Mercedes Benz Sprinter carries more weight and hence takes longer to gain such acceleration.
Ride and Handling
Driving this van won't be a hard job but it won't be that easy either. The steering system is hydraulic but is too hard to maneuver. The clumsy steering and long wheelbase make it a little difficult to zip in the city. However, this kind of hard handling is nice to pull heavy loads. The van is not hesitant to trailer cargo, making it a perfect utility machine.
Braking
This gargantuan vessel is a true performer at heart but to control this beast is extremely crucial as well. Nissan engineered a boulder of a car, its 5,806 pounds is the heaviest curb weight in this comparison. You get a larger 14.2-inch brake at the front and 14.4-inch brakes at the rear.
| Model |
Nissan NV Cargo 1500 S |
Mercedes Benz sprinter cargo 2500 |
Ford Transit Cargo Van T-150 |
GMC Savana cargo 2500 |
| Brake Front (in.) |
14.2 |
NA |
12.1 |
12.8 |
| Brake Rear (in.) |
14.4 |
NA |
12.1 |
13.0 |
| Curb Weight (lbs.) |
5,806 |
5,037 |
4,998 |
5,345 |
| 60-0 MPH (ft.) |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
You get much lighter vans in the market like the Ford Transit and the GMC Savana which features a much lower level of braking dynamics. Other than that, the competition is much lighter than the Nissan NV and is expected to perform better than the competition.
Cargo vans are brimmed with utility and restricted to haul freight. Its major audience is limited to small or large business owners, however, you won't save a lot of money on its economy and maintenance. Still, the Nissan is determined to turn it into an economical van. Its 18 mpg of highway mileage blends right into the market and competes well with its adversaries.
|
Model
|
Nissan NV Cargo 1500 S
|
Mercedes Benz sprinter cargo 2500
|
Ford Transit Cargo Van T-150
|
GMC Savana cargo 2500
|
|
MPG (city)
|
NA
|
14
|
14
|
11
|
|
MPG (highway)
|
18
|
NA
|
18
|
17
|
|
MPG (combined)
|
NA
|
NA
|
16
|
16
|
Almost every van in the lot offers a similar sense of mileage. The Ford Transit was able to match the Nissan NV in on the highway, but the GMC Savana could only generate a 17 mpg of fuel economy. Due to the lack of proper data and a proper deduction for the Nissan NV's Fuel economy is not possible. Still, the available 18 mpg mileage gives the hypothesis that the car will follow the industry norms.
The interior of the NV Passenger includes four rows of seats, and with the second, third, and fourth rows all split, Nissan claims there are 324 possible seat configurations. The second and third rows can be completely removed or repositioned, while the fourth row is removable. In some models, there’s a center console setup that allows laptop storage, space for hanging files, and a 120V AC outlet. It’s designed to form a flat work surface with the fold-down front passenger seat. -TheCarConnection
Seating and Comfort
Space is the prime expectation when buying a van, and the Nissan NV lives up to that expectation perfectly. In the cargo van the front cabin harbors the driver and the passenger while the rest of the car is reserved for loading freight. It comes with no mat, or rear windows, it's a bare bones van to the core. The people boarding the Nissan NV will receive enough space to spread their legs and enjoy a comfortable ride. Event the regular van feature 42.8 inches of headroom space with the 42 inches of legroom.
| Model |
Nissan NV Cargo 1500 S |
Mercedes Benz sprinter cargo 2500 |
Ford Transit Cargo Van T-150 |
GMC Savana cargo 2500 |
| Passenger capacity |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
42.8/65.7/42.0 |
47.1/67.7/38.9 |
40.8/67.9/39.7 |
39.8/68.8/41.3 |
All vans in this lot feature a similar seating experience, with one delivering a tad more of headroom and others, are inches longer in legroom space. Otherwise, there is no competition here.
Infotainment System
Nissan NV 1500 doesn't come with a standard infotainment system but you can opt for one with the SV Tech Package. This infotainment system comes with a 5.6-inch touchscreen display, navigation, voice recognition, and a rearview monitor.
Cargo Volume
Since cargo vans are all about loading and trailing weights its essential for the van to deliver on this one. The 234.1 cubic inch of cargo volume is a gigantic empty space customizable to suit your specific needs.
| Model |
Nissan NV Cargo 1500 S |
Mercedes Benz sprinter cargo 2500 |
Ford Transit Cargo Van T-150 |
GMC Savana cargo 2500 |
| Cargo Volume (ft.3) |
234.1 |
319.1 |
246.0 |
239.7 |
The 234.1 cubic feet of cargo volume is more than expected but the competitors are determined to raise the bar. The Mercedes Benz Sprinter features a humongous 319 cubic feet or cargo space. Other vans like GMC Savana and Ford Transit deliver similar cargo space matching the Nissan NV's cargo.
Towing Capacity
Nissan NV 1500 Cargo doesn't just look like an elephant but shares a similar muscle power as well. The 6,900 pound of trailer capacity is the testament to NV's utility. Conquering the elite vans like Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit, Nissan has become an obvious choice as far as you are buying it for trailering purposes. However, the GMC Savana is a whale compared to the Nissan NV. Its 10000 pounds of trailering capacity overwhelms even the toughest competitors.
| Model |
Nissan NV Cargo 1500 S |
Mercedes Benz sprinter cargo 2500 |
Ford Transit Cargo Van T-150 |
GMC Savana cargo 2500 |
| Maximum Towing Capacity |
6900 lbs |
5000 lbs |
4500 lbs |
10000 lbs |
Outside, the NV can best be described as homely. Its elongated snout hides its big engines and gives it an especially awkward side profile. High-roof versions are even more awkward looking. But, let's be real here: if you're buying a commercial-oriented truck, does what it looks like matter nearly as much as what it can do? -TheCarConnection
Dimensions and Weight
This particular van could be easily deduced as a rectangular box on wheels. Being a gigantic vessel this van sits high above the ground. Being the cargo variant there is one sliding door and 243-degree of rear door opening to ease loading/unloading of larger freight.
The Nissan NV is the largest van in the lot. Its 240 inches of length in the regular model exceeds other full-sized vans. Other than that, cargo vans are built to harbor cargo, its 79.9 inches of width is and 83.6 inches of height approves the fact. However, the longer wheelbase can hamper drivability to a certain extent.
| Model |
Nissan NV Cargo 1500 S |
Mercedes Benz sprinter cargo 2500 |
Ford Transit Cargo Van T-150 |
GMC Savana cargo 2500 |
| Curb weight (lbs.) |
5,806 |
5,037 |
4,998 |
5,345 |
| Length(in) |
240.6 |
233.3 |
217.8 |
224.1 |
| Width(in) |
79.9 |
79.7 |
81.3 |
79.2 |
| Height(in) |
83.6 |
94.7 |
100.8 |
84.6 |
| Ground clearance (in) F/R |
8.1/8.1 |
7.9/7.9 |
NA |
7.1 |
| Wheelbase (in) |
146.1 |
144.3 |
129.9 |
135.0 |
| Track width (in) F/R |
68.7/68.9 |
67.9/68.1 |
68.2/68.6 |
68.1/70.0 |
Being the biggest isn't always the best thing, it comes with its own hardships. The extra effort sure enhances the practicality but also added a few pounds to the weight. Other than that, the Ford Transit is the shortest van in the lot, but it is also the tallest van in the lot. The Sprinter is closest to the Nissan NV, dimensionally.
Talking about safety this van has not been tested by NHTSA and IIHS. Still, you don't receive a great deal of features or anything with this one. The cargo version is all about the basic safety and nothing more or less. As standard features, you get an Alarm System and Immobilizer, tire pressure monitoring system, Anti-lock braking and more. The Zone Body construction is strongly built which gives extra strength to the chassis.
Safety Features
- Protective Bumpers
- Zone Body Construction
- Vehicle Dynamic Control
- Traction Control System
- Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Mercedes Benz Sprinter Cargo vs Nissan NV 1500 Cargo Van
Mercedes commands a premium price, but it is not just the Mercedes emblem or the hefty price, it actually delivers. From the easy to use interior features took right from the Mercedes inventory to its drivability, this van is totally an upgrade which offers great cargo space and towing capability. On the other hand, the Nissan NV is a prime player in the market with a well-established goodwill and reliability.
With the Nissan NV, you get everything a basic buyer wants at a much economical price. As an overall deal, the Nissan provides a better value.
Ford Transit Cargo Van vs Nissan NV 1500 Cargo Van
The Ford Transit is known for its good fuel economy and decent road manners. Comparing with the Nissan NV there are a lot of similarities between the two. Both feature a similar V6 engine generating a similar fuel economy numbers. However, Ford has backed its van with more power for which they charge more, on the other hand, the Nissan NV has special towing power.
Your ideal van will depend on your specific needs. If you business require a lot of towing then Nissan NV is the one to choose.
GMC Savana Cargo vs Nissan NV 1500 Cargo Van
The Savana is a well rounded van in this lot. Everything from acceleration to cargo space and hauling trailers. It performs according to the industry parameters. The buyers will surely appreciate the extra power from the V8 engine. Where the Nissan boasts about its towing capacity, the Savana laughs in its face with its 10,000 pounds of trailering capacity. GMC Savana knocks the ball out of the park. It is a much better option if you require a van for commercial purposes.
The Nissan NV Cargo is a reliable van in the market. Some van buyers may prefer a V8 engine, but this one gets the job done with its V6 engine. With great cargo hauling capabilities, Nissan NV is a pretty impressive utility vehicle. You also get a lot of options to personalize things at the cargo bay. Priced the lowest the Nissan NV is the best option for the budget buyers.
