Used 2017 Nissan NV200

The 2017 Nissan NV200 is an inexpensive and economical cargo van ideally suited for small businesses and individuals needing an easy-to-drive delivery vehicle. Nissan’s compact cargo van is smaller than rivals such as the Ford Transit Connect, Ram ProMaster City and certainly its own big brother, the Nissan NV, but it’s also less expensive and can easily fit into a residential garage. Though the NV200’s rear cargo hull is less spacious than those of rivals, it still packs over 122 cubic feet of space, and aside from tie-downs and mounting points is a blank canvas for holding packages or custom upfitting. In addition to the 2017 NV200’s budget-friendly starting price of around $22,000, Nissan’s compact van furthers its value proposition with a class-leading 5-year/100,000-mile warranty.

One of the biggest appeals of the Nissan NV200 is just how easy it is to drive and maneuver. Because this compact cargo van employs the same unibody construction as Nissan’s small cars, the NV200 rides and drives like a small SUV rather than a cumbersome, old-school cargo van. The NV200’s tight 36.7-foot turning radius allows it to execute U-turns in narrow confines, handy for making deliveries in tight urban settings. The Nissan’s tall, narrow body enables it to fit into parking spots overlooked by larger vans, and the huge windshield provides excellent forward visibility. The NV200’s ride is taut and its handling is nimble. Nissan’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is no powerhouse, but the CVT automatic transmission makes the most of the little engine’s 131 horsepower, allowing it to scoot through intersections and merge with traffic without drama. Load the NV200 with cargo, however, and acceleration is noticeably sluggish.

The NV200’s interior places function over style. Though tidy on the outside, the NV200 hides 122.7 cubic feet of volume in its cargo bay and boasts a low, flat floor that makes loading a breeze. The cargo bay can hold standard 40 x 48-inch pallets. Payload maxes out at 1,480 pounds, below that of the Ford and Ram. Up front are two bucket seats, with the driver’s seat offering a right armrest for added comfort. The passenger seat folds flat to create a desk or workbench, or more room for longer items. Audio and climate controls are simple but easy to use.

As a box on wheels, the NV200’s styling — or lack thereof — isn’t its biggest priority. Function again trumps form. Accessibility is easy thanks to dual sliding side doors and 60/40-split rear French doors that open 180 degrees. At just over 21 inches, the cargo load floor is about two inches lower than that of the Transit Connect and slightly lower than that of the ProMaster City. At 186.3 inches, the NV200 is just a few inches longer than a Nissan Sentra sedan. Unlike the Transit Connect, however, the NV200 does not offer a choice of lengths.

LONG WARRANTY
All 2017 Nissan NV200s come with a best-in-class new-vehicle warranty that covers five years or 100,000 miles. Whether you’re an individual business owner or fleet manager, that kind of coverage grants a strong measure of assurance down the road.

60/40-SPLIT REAR CARGO DOORS
This Nissan cargo van’s 60/40-split rear doors are more useful than a 50/50 setup. When open, the design provides better curbside access, while the smaller door on the driver’s side is less likely to impede passing traffic.

The 2017 Nissan NV200 remains available in two trims: S and SV. The base S model comes with air conditioning, cargo-bay floor protector, cargo-area work light, manually adjustable front seats with vinyl wear patches, power windows, and an AM/FM/CD audio system with an auxiliary input for portable music players. For 2017, you’ll now get power-operated door locks. As it’s only $900 more, we recommend the higher-trim SV model. It adds cruise control, a 12-volt power outlet in the rear, six D-rings mounted to the cargo floor, power heated exterior mirrors and wheel covers. All new NV200 models come with a 5-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Both trims of the Nissan NV200 can be had with rear-door windows, something we recommend for better visibility and overall safety. A window is also available on the passenger-side sliding door. Rear sonar sensors are optional to make backing up easier and safer, and a rearview camera is available on the NV200 SV. Cruise control can be had on base models, and both trims offer Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity. SV trims can be further upgraded with the NissanConnect navigation and mobile app system that includes a 5.8-inch touch screen, voice recognition and USB input.

The 2017 Nissan NV200 makes do with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 131 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. A gearless continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) sends that power to the front wheels. With its latest CVT, the Nissan NV200 returns impressive fuel economy of up to 26 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg combined. The Nissan’s powertrain is thrifty and runs on regular unleaded gasoline, but it’s also weaker than the engines found in the Ford Transit Connect and Ram ProMaster City. If you require even more grunt — and up to 5,000-pound towing capacity — check out the larger Mercedes-Benz Metris.

2.0-liter inline-4
131 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
139 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/26 mpg

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.