2021 Nissan NV200 Compact

If you are a medium to the small business owner, you would like to opt for a cargo van that is not too big but can still be a full-on workhorse when it comes to handling your business logistics. This is exactly the space that the Nissan NV200 has promised to fill in. While the Nissan NV is a full-size cargo van, the NV200 is its smaller sibling which only offers a front-wheel-drive system. It does not require a ton of space to move around and this can be a suitable buy for many business owners. Another USP of this cargo van is its fuel-efficiency which can provide you with quite a lot of savings, especially in urban environments. But the price tag comes with many trade-offs too. The 2021 Nissan NV200 is not a major update over its predecessor and thus comes with almost the same advantages and disadvantages in comparison to its predecessor.

Just like its predecessor, the 2021 Nissan NV200 is offered in only two trims which are focused on being providing a wallet-friendly experience. The two trims on offer are the S and SV which both offer the same engine as well as transmission. The major difference between the two is in terms of features as the SV offers power-adjustable heated side view mirrors, remote keyless entry, cruise control, an additional 12-volt power point, body-colored bumpers, full wheel covers, and a chrome grille. The S on the other hand misses out on all these features and costs about $1000 less.

Trims	S	SV
MSRP	$23,725	$24,725
Key Features	15-inch steel wheels	Adds/Upgrades to S
	Power windows	Power-heated mirrors
	Electric door locks	Keyless entry
	Hill-start assist	Cruise control
	7.0-inch touchscreen unit	Additional 12-volt powerpoint

For the 2021 model year, the Nissan NV200 adds standard cruise control on S models and standard rear sonar on SV models. This makes it more value for money than its predecessor.

Nissan is no new name in the industry and it has been producing various models for mass-market usage since its inception. This Japanese automaker has been a part of the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance since 1999. This has enabled Nissan to offer tried and tested products that can be modern as well as value for money for its customers. 

Even while the company has seen internal mismanagement and scams, it has continued to live up to its tradition of providing affordable and reliable products. Thus, even with the NV 200 Compact Cargo Van, you do not have to worry much about the ownership, as well as running costs.

Reliability and Ownership Costs

These days being a Japanese vehicle is in itself proof of reliability and affordability. The Nissan NV200 continues to be part of the first generation which has been under production since 2013. However, even while it has been in use for quite some time now, J.D. Power, the leading automobile surveyor, has not rated any model year of the Nissan NV200 compact cargo van. This means while there is no data available on the same, we can predict its reliability on the basis of the consumer complaints.

Thus, the news is good as the 2020 model of the NV200 has not seen any recall or customer complaints reported by the NHTSA so far. Its earlier models such as the 2019, 2018, as well as 2017, have been under 1 recall each. The 2018 model year has also seen 2 customer complaints that have been reported by NHTSA.

Washington	$23,655(est)
Florida	$23,23625(est)
California	$23,525(est)
New Jersey	$23,698(est)
Arizona	$23,554(est)

The Nissan NV200 has certainly been an affordable and reliable cargo van so far. However, according to many reports Nissan has announced that it will end the production of its NV Cargo Vans, Passenger as well as NV200 vans in order to focus on core products. However, it also aims to provide more choices to its commercial vehicle customers. 

Warranty

Nissan offers what it calls America’s best commercial van warranty package with its NV200 Compact Cargo Van. It offers a 5 year or 100,000 miles basic warranty package on all its 2021 models. After brief research, we found out that it is indeed the best warranty package as it covers the vehicle for a longer tenure than any of its competitors. However, there are no complimentary scheduled maintenance packages available.

Criteria	Period
Limited Warranty	5 years/100,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	5 years/100,000 miles
Complimentary Warranty	N/A

The Ram ProMaster City, Ford Transit Connect, as well as Mercedes Metris, offer an inferior warranty package in comparison to the Nissan NV200. Thus, this time it is the Nissan that will be able to offer you the most peace of mind when it comes to repairs and breakdowns.

Miles per Dollar

The 2021 Nissan NV200 is best-in-class when it comes to offering affordability and minimum running costs. It offers impressive mpg figures that enable you to save more per mile. The 2021 model will have a similar 25 combined mpg output and these figures sum to 2.1 miles per gallon.

We would recommend you to go with the SV trim as it offers more creature comforts along with more cargo solutions. The S trim is simply not well equipped and does not offer features such as power mirrors or heated seats in order to provide a stress-free drive on long stretches.

Is buying a used Nissan NV200 a good idea?

Absolutely, buying a used Nissan NV200 will not only save you money but also offer you the same level of utility. As the current model is part of the first generation, going for a used NV200 will not make you regret your decision.

The 2021 Nissan NV200 comes powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder motor which is quite a weakling when compared to its rivals. It is capable of pushing out 131 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque which is just about adequate for daily use. The engine simply does not offer the grunt for some hardcore task and thus should be used within the city limits. It is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) which offers smooth shifts but is not very responsive under urgent conditions. Being a small engine it can only offer a payload capability of just 1480 pounds which is the least in its class.

Models	2021 Nissan NV200	2020 Ford Transit	2021 Mercedes-Benz Metris	2020 Ram Promaster City
MSRP	$23,725	$24,275	$34,000 (est.)	$24,430
Engine	2.0L Inline-4	2.0L Inline-4	2.0L Inline-4	2.4L Inline-4
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	RWD	RWD
Transmission	Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Shiftable Automatic	9-Speed Automatic	9-Speed Automatic
Power	131hp@5,600rpm	162hp@6,500rpm	208hp@5,500rpm	178hp@6,400rpm
Torque	139lb-ft@4,800rpm	144lb-ft@4,500rpm	258lb-ft@1,250rpm	174lb-ft@3,800rpm

The Nissan NV200 is also the only compact cargo van in this comparison that comes with a CVT to performs the transmission duties. All the other rivals in its class offer more grunt as well as payload capacity with the Mercedes Metris being rated to carry nearly 1000 pounds more than the Nissan, which is the best in its class.

2021 Nissan NV200 Acceleration and Braking Performance

Cargo vans are not meant to be driven hard and thus not a lot of folks care about their 0-60 mph timing while buying one. Still, the figures can tell us a lot about the capability and in this regard, the NV200 is simply boring and sluggish. It is capable of doing a 0-60 mph sprint in painstaking 13.5 seconds. It also offers the slowest top speed.

In terms of braking as well, the Nissan NV200 disappoints. The brake pedal does not offer much feedback and can feel a bit wooden at times. The NV200 covers the longest ground when it comes to emergency braking.

Models	2021 Nissan NV200	2020 Ford Transit	2021 Mercedes-Benz Metris	2020 Ram Promaster City
0-60 MPH (seconds)	13.5	12.0	10.1	11.6
Quarter-Mile (seconds)	16.7	15.7	13.2	14.2
Top Speed (MPH)	103	130	130	115
60-0 MPH (feet)	NA	NA	NA	NA

 As can be seen from the table above, the Mercedes-Benz Metris offers the best in class performance. All the credit for that can be given to its engine which offers the best power and torque figure in its class. It is followed by the Ram Promaster City which is a second slower than the Mercedes. 

Ride and Handling

The 2021 Nissan NV200 offers a comfortable ride quality that can soak up most bumps and potholes in its stride. It has been tuned on the softer side in order to offer a supple ride even over bad or broken roads. It is not meant to take on any corners as there is too much body roll and it even nose dives under hard braking, thanks to the soft suspension.

In terms of handling, there is not much on offer. The steering feels lifeless and fails to provide adequate feedback. It does gain enough heft over at high speed but due to the softly sprung suspension, you never feel very confident when you manage to reach triple-digit speeds.

As there are no changes in terms of the mechanicals when it comes to the 2021 model of the NV200, it continues to offer the same MPG figures. Thus as per EPA estimates, the NV200 offers 24 mpg in the can and 26 mpg on the highway. This makes the NV200 one of the most fuel-efficient cargo vans in the city. 

Models	2021 Nissan NV200	2020 Ford Transit	2021 Mercedes-Benz Metris	2020 Ram Promaster City
MPG (City)	24	24	22	21
MPG (Highway)	26	27	25	28
MPG (Combined)	25	25	23	24
Fuel Capacity	14.5 gallons	15.8 gallons	18.5 gallons	16 gallons
Range (City/Hwy/Combined)	348/377/363 miles	379/427/395 miles	407/463/423 miles	336/448/384 miles

The NV200 offers the smallest gas tank which means that you would have to stop at fuel stations more often. Also, the much more powerful Ram ProMaster City and the Ford Transit Connect, offer better fuel efficiency than the Nissan on the highway.

In terms of the interior, the 2021 model of the NV200 does not offer any significant changes. This means that you still get one of the smallest cargo capacity in its class along with a much smaller cabin in comparison to it rivals. It can swallow up to 122.7 cubic feet of cargo which is just about average. Its wide opening doors help in loading and unloading the cargo easily and as per Nissan is can accommodate 40-by-48-inch pallets. In terms of seat comfort, this cargo van offers the acceptable amount of support. The dashboard design is quite simple and straightforward. There are many storage spaces available but the quality of materials is below average in certain areas.

Models	2021 Nissan NV200	2020 Ford Transit	2021 Mercedes-Benz Metris	2020 Ram Promaster City
Seating Capacity	2	2	2	2
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	41.7/54.1/42.6	46.9/57.6/42.3	39.6/62.2/35.8	46.0/59.3/40.8
Cargo Capacity	122.7 cu.ft.	104.8 cu.ft.	183 cu.ft.	N/A

If you want to liberate more cargo area, you can fold down the passenger seat of the NV200. This feature is not offered by any cargo van in this comparison and enables you to to haul around longer items.

How’s the 2021 Nissan NV200 infotainment system?

This is where the 2021 Nissan NV200 shines as it offers the largest infotainment display. This cargo van offers a 7.0-inch color touchscreen as standard which comes with Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio (subscription is sold separately), and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. It offers smooth and a user-friendly interface which a lot of drivers will appreciate over long hauls. The dashboard gets a single USB port which is not very user-friendly but it is acceptable in a cargo van.

Infotainment features include:

• NissanConnect 
• AM/FM 
• Audio System - 2 speakers
• 7.0" color display audio touchscreen
•  Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• SiriusXM radio (3-month free trial)
• Streaming audio via Bluetooth
• Bluetooth hands-free phone system
• Hands-free text messaging assistant,
•  Voice recognition and 1 USB connection port for iPod interface and other compatible devices

For the 2021 model year, there are not many changes offered in terms of the exterior as well. Nissan has added a Gun Metallic color to the list and that’s it. It continues to feature its signature front grille along with halogen headlights up front. With the base trim, you get a black rear bumper and black outside rearview mirror which do not look upscale by any means. The four exterior colors apart from the Gun Metallic are Fresh Powder, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Super Black, and Cayenne Red Metallic.

Models	2021 Nissan NV200	2020 Ford Transit	2021 Mercedes-Benz Metris	2020 Ram Promaster City
Curb Weight	3280 lbs	3581 lbs	N/A	3498 lbs
Length	186.3"	174.2"	202.4"	187.1"
Width	68.1"	84.1"	75.9"	72.1"
Height	73.7"	72.0"	75.2"	74.2"
Ground Clearance	6.1"	N/A	4.4"	5.2"
Wheelbase	115.2"	104.8"	126.0"	122.4"

As evident from the table above, the Nissan NV 200 is simply one of the smallest cargo vans in its class. The only smaller cargo van is the short-wheelbase version of the Ford Transit Van. Its small dimensions do help the driver maneuver it around in the city with quite some ease. However, when it comes to the road presence, there is no beating the Mercedes-Benz Metris.

In terms of safety, Nissan does not offer the same tech and features which are available with many of its cars. Thus with the 2021 NV200 Compact Cargo Van, you do not get advanced features like forward-collision braking or blind-spot warning. However, you do get a stability control system as standard along with front and side-impact airbags. Thus, it lags behind its rivals in term of safety. While it has not yet been tested by NHTSA or IIHS, it has received a three-star EuroNCAP score in May 2013.

• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Curtain 1st Row Airbags
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Height Adjusters and Pretensioners
• Rear Parking Sensors
• RearView Monitor Back-Up Camera
• Side Impact Beams
• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Nissan NV200 vs Ford Transit 

Both the cargo vans are meant to offer a value for money package to its customers. However, the Ford Transit offers a well put together cabin along with more grunt under its hood. Thus, it is a better cargo van when it comes to getting the work done. However, the Nissan NV200 is cheaper than the Ford Transit and offers a slightly better city economy.

Nissan NV200 vs Mercedes-Benz Metris 

There is no denying the fact that the Mercedes-Benz Metris is a better cargo van in almost every way when compared to the NV200. So where does the NV200 manage to beat the Metris? Well, it offers better fuel efficiency in the city as well as over the highway and is much more affordable than the Mercedes. However, in every other way the Metris is way above the NV200 and will simply be our choice. 

The 2021 Nissan NV200 is a cargo van meant for small businesses that want to haul loads with minimum investment. It lowers initial cost and better fuel efficiency puts savings right into your pockets. However, you do have to give up some utility in exchange for a very affordable price tag. It offers the least grunt under its hoof and its cargo area is smaller than all its rivals. Couple that with the lowest payload capability and you might find it hard to put down your money on the NV200, but you still would not regret it.