2020 Nissan NV200

Starting from $23,245 for the base trim, the 2019 Nissan NV200 compact cargo is offered in two trim levels. Both trims feature a 2.0L Inline-4 motor mated to a CVT transmission. Raw power is not its biggest ally but it’s enough for a city van intended for hauling cargo. Nissan holds its own in the American market, but it doesn’t quite match up with the capabilities of its fellow competitors like the Ford Transit, Ram Promaster City, and Mercedes Benz Metris.

In the world of extravagant sports cars, rugged SUVs, and practical hatches the world needs a solid workhorse which can ferry cargo and at the same time enjoy comfort on long rides. Nissan being the Japanese workaholic was keen to deliver what the word deserves, hence, the birth of NV200. The 2019 Nissan NV 200 compact cargo is offered in two trim levels. The NV 200S and NV 200 SV. Both trims feature the same engine but the SV demands a 1000 bucks more. You get a couple of more features om the SV like an upgrade of 5.8 inch infotainment screen form 5 inch, navigation package, smart phone integration, voice controls and more.

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Some minivan buyers might like the minimalist feature setting on the S trim however, they can easily jump to the SV trim for better features. WIth the price difference of one grand the SV is clearly the better choice.

“The NV200 is easy to drive. It feels downright agile compared to traditional vans, and its small size makes it easy to slip into tight places. But the four-cylinder engine's performance is anemic, especially with heavy cargo aboard”- Edmunds

Minivans don’t need a heavy engine or scream like a mad dog, they keep their cool and have enough power to deal with what you stuff inside. True to the market, Nissan carefully installed a 2.0 Liter Inline-4 cylinder engine. The engine is backed with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission. The engine cranks out 131 horsepower and 139 pound feet of torque. Though you might not need more but truly it’s less than what other minivans deliver.

Acceleration

Blasting through the freeways is not a minivan, but still the NV 200 cargo hits the 60 mph mark in 10 seconds. The 131 horses can hold its own to deliver a consistent power supply which is a great for minivan standards. However, it could have used more power for highway cruising.

Ride and handling

The lack of power may not bother you in the city’s traffic but on the highway with a fully loaded NV you will get the backdrop of the same. Also, the match box design makes the NV extremely vulnerable to cross winds. Around the corner you will sense a lot of body roll, so its recommended to not jab the pedal before a turn. The high sense of gravity makes handling even worse. The lack of steering wheels adjustment turns long routes a taxing situation for long drivers. Absence of proper seat adjustment makes creature comfort a remote concept.

Braking

Perfect brakes are a necessity for any commuter or commercial vehicle and the one of Nissan NV 200 is just fine. The pedal is nice and easy to modulate and has a nice and predictable vibe to it. You will get the hand of it in no time. The front brakes are rated at 11.1 inches and the rear drum brakes at 9 inches. You won’t have a problem to counter the city’s hassle, meanwhile in the panic brake test the NV took 137 feet to come on a standstill.

You won't buy a minivan if you had to get a refill after every few miles. In city, the Nissan NV200 delivers a class leading 24 mpg mileage while on the highway the number stretches to 25 mpg. The combined ergonomic number is rated at 25 mpg. However, the low heighted fuel-filler neck keeps you in an awkward position until you are done.

“The interior is stark, and the cabin is sparse. But the controls are simple and effective, and access to the front seats is easy. The cargo area is equally accessible with a low load floor”- Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

The minivan code for interior design is it to be clean, clear, and easily approachable and Nissan did a great job in delivering that. All the features and knobs are visible without any jargons. Talking about the quality of the interior, there are some hard plastics and squeaks from the interior but that will work for a minivan. Visibility is not the best virtue as there are no windows in the cargo variant since. Access to the front seats is not an issue.

The two people taking the front seats will not face any problem. The rest of the of the van is reserved to harbor cargo. The driver and wingmen seat get a generous 41.7 inches of headroom and 42.6 inches of legroom space.

Cargo volume

Being a cargo hauler, the Nissan NV 200 is all about cargo volume. There sling tail gate opens up to 180 degree which gives an easy access to the cargo bay. You get the total cargo volume of 122.7 cubic feet and 1,480 pound of payload. That’s enough space to load all your stuff and travel across the country. However, its not the most practical cargo haulers in the market.

The Nissan NV200 delivers a lot of cargo volume even for minivan standards. The industry segment leader Ford Transit Connect slide to make way for Nissan. However. The Mercedes Metris is the king of the hill with its odd dimensions.

Infotainment

Nissan NV200 features a5-inch infotainment screen with a standard stereo. Sadly, Apple car Play and Android Auto were not available on the on the NV200 compact. You might be disappointed but that’s what all you get on a cargo minivan.

Interior Features

• Air Conditioning
• Cruise Control
• Front Cupholders
• Cruise Controls On Steering Wheel
• Electric Power Steering
• Rear View Camera
• Front Door Pockets
• Tilt-Adjustable Steering Wheel

“You're probably not looking at an NV200 because you think it's stylish. Instead, it's a box with a passenger compartment. The NV200 has a swoopier look than many rivals, and it can be dressed up a little in SV trim”- Thecarconnection

Design and Styling

Design resembling a shoe box on wheels, the NV200 favors substance over appearance. Honestly, you are not looking for aesthetics in a van, you are just interested in the prolific practicality features at the back compartment. The van comes in two color options black and silver. Unlike its competitors there is no extended wheelbase option on the NV200. Nissan may have ignored the exterior design because it didn’t matter then but with the entry for handsome boxy vans like the Mercs Metris and Ram Promaster.

Dimensions and Weight

The dimensions do not hold any minivan voodoo, its exactly what it should do. Though it’s a few hundred pounds lighter than its competitors. The van has a total length of 186 inches, width rated at 68 inches, and the height is 73.7 inches. As said earlier there is no extended wheelbase option on the NV200 compact. Its longer than the Ford Transit and feature a much longer standard wheelbase.

Exterior Features

• 15" x 5.5" steel wheels
• 185/60r15 all-season tires
• Daytime running lights
• Halogen headlights
• Black outside mirrors with convex spotter mirror
• Sliding side door on both driver's and passenger's sides
• Black outside mirrors with convex spotter mirror
• 40/60 split rear cargo doors
• 180° maximum opening range for rear cargo doors

Though the Nissan NV 200 has not undergone any third party crash testing, its still a safe ride. Its built to keep its guard in a fully loaded van. Chevy installed a number of safety and driver assist features which further enhance the reliability. Features like Vehicle dynamic control, traction control system, electronic stability control and more.

Safety features

• Engine immobilizer
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Built-in protection
• Vehicle dynamic control
• Advanced braking
• Air bags
• Rearview monitor

Ford Transit Connect Cargo vs Nissan NV200

Ford Transit connect is possibly the most tech savvy minivan in the business. It comes with a similar Inline-4 engine as the NV200 but drills out more horses. Also, the Transit is a better looking van. To combat Ford Nissan features more cargo space which is a lucrative thing to do for the minivan section. In terms of efficiency both vans are evenly matched but the absence of extended wheelbase and height may discourage Nissan’s shoppers.

When it comes to delivering a boxy van to ferry cargo both brands have done a great job but Nissan did it better.

Ram Promaster City Tradesman vs Nissan NV200

Away from Metris’s high price, the Ram Promaster is dominating the minivan market right now. Its slightly less powerful than the Metris but you can parley that for the price. The cargo space is more than the NV200 which is a big factoring point. However, the Nissan wins the battle of efficiency with a little margin. Another important area of interest is payload, and Ram Promaster can haul up to 1,800 pounds making it a clear winner in terms of functionality.

Mercedes Metris Cargo vs Nissan NV200

Mercedes Metris is like Mohammad Ali of minivans. It runs in its own league with more than 200 horsepower and better interior quality. In terms of looks, yes it has the Merc’s charm duly embedded to its core. It’s also the most utilitarian minivan in the lot with its gigantic cargo bay, no other minivan catches up to the Metris’s potential. The drive quality has a huge difference, if you like the NV 200 you will love the Metris.

Since the price difference is a little over $3000. We would suggest you to go with the Metris.

The Nissan NV 200 Compact Cargo is a barebone minivan with reliability and strong deliverables as its selling point. Nissan has favored functionality over design which is clearly visible from the exterior and interior elements. Its just available in two colors tells that it strictly means business. However, its not a foolproof offer, the power output from its Inline-4 engine is the least in the market. Also, you would expect better interior quality after seeing something like the Metris which boasts a competitive price. Cargo capacity is fair from minivans standards, it slams some vans but is outrun by others. Last but not the least the absence of extended height and wheelbase options may discourage a lot of buyers.

At last, the NV 200 Compact Cargo is an average minivan which deliver a livable amount of features and performance aspects. It is good but you will find a better option in the market.