2020 Nissan NV Expert Review
Reviewed by Duncan Brady
Introduced for the 2012 model year, the Nissan NV is a full-size van that serves as the big sibling to Nissan's NV200. Although the smaller van is only offered as a cargo model, the larger NV can be ordered as a 12-seat passenger van or a bare-bones work vehicle. The NV, which is unchanged for 2020, is built on a heavily modified version of the heavy duty RWD platform that underpins the Nissan Titan pickup. The NV competes with other full-size commercial vans including the Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Looking for Nissan's compact NV200? Learn about that entry-level commercial van here .
What We Think
Our time with the Nissan NV has proved it a capable workhorse. One stand-out feature is the optional V-8 engine, borrowed straight from the Titan pickup. It's a beautifully capable engine for van duty; acceleration is excellent for the segment whether laden or unladen, and it even sounds pretty great. Just don't expect great fuel economy. We were also pleasantly surprised by the stiff, confidence-inspiring chassis. Body roll is kept to a minimum and the NV feels planted at speed, though the ride is definitely stiff if you're riding around empty.
The load floor is higher than that of the Ram ProMaster—a side effect of the NV's RWD pickup truck underpinnings—and as such, loading and unloading cargo can be a pain. We did, however, find plenty of space in the cargo area for a queen-size air mattress and dog when we were in the mood for an impromptu camping trip. That bare-bones cargo area also had plenty of tie-down points and space for camera gear and extra wheels and tires. The lack of sound insulation does result in a noisy cabin, but that's expected in a cargo van.
The NV provides a strong value proposition, undercutting comparably equipped vans from Ford, Ram, and Mercedes-Benz. If you want a V-8 and can manage the poor efficiency and elevated load floor, the NV is a smart choice.
Passenger Van vs. Cargo Van
Do you need to haul a lot of people or a lot of stuff? Either way, there's an NV to suit your needs. Examples built for use as cargo vans have just a single row of seating up front for two passengers and the area behind those seats is wide open. There are six floor-mounted D-rings to tie down cargo, and there are no windows behind the front doors.
Passenger vans, on the other hand, prioritize seating capacity. Four rows of seats equals space for up to 12, and there are windows down the side of the van and in the rear doors to improve visibility. The three rearward rows of seats are removable and configurable—Nissan says the amount of customization allows for 324 different potential seating configurations.
Engines: V-6 vs. V-8
If you're looking at an NV van for cargo or passenger use, one of the decisions you'll have to make is whether you'd like a six- or eight-cylinder engine under the hood. The entry-level engine is a 4.0-liter V-6 that develops 261 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque, mated with a five-speed automatic to spin the rear wheels. Only the V-6 is offered on NV1500 models; you'll have to step up to 2500 or the V-8-only 3500 to score the big engine.
Eight-cylinder NVs employ a seven-speed auto sending 375 hp and 387 lb-ft to the rear axle from 5.6 liters of V-8 goodness. Acceleration with the V-8 is impressive for such a large vehicle at 8.4-9.1 seconds to 60, but those eight cylinders are as thirsty as they are powerful. In our year-long loan with a V-8 NV2500 Cargo Van, we averaged just 14 mpg.
Utility (Cargo Space and Interior Room)
The NV can be ordered either as a cargo van or a passenger van, the latter boasting space for 12(!) people across four rows of seating. Whereas passenger vans have just 28.9 cubic feet of cargo volume and can only be ordered with the standard height roof, the cargo vans are downright capacious. Standard-roof models can hold 234.1 cubic feet of volume, and with the high roof, that number climbs to 323.1 cubic feet.
Key Competitors:
- Ford Transit
- Ram ProMaster
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
