Confused.com Previews the Nissan NV200

• Featured Articles
• Published: 15 Jun 2009 in Motoring and Van Insurance

See why Nissan’s new van is something to get excited about  

Anticipation is building as van manufacturers get ready to unleash their 2010 models.

But one van maker has got a little extra up its sleeve. Nissan’s NV200 made its European debut at the Barcelona motor show in May, representing the first Nissan van to be designed and built independently from its alliance with Renault.

Confused.com takes a closer look at the latest light van on the market.

Style and space

Nissan’s European Design centre had plenty to do with the smart exterior of the NV200, so much so - it hardly looks like a van at all. It also manages to disguise its commercial status thanks to the handsome grille, SUV-like headlights and chunky flared wheelarches. The design gives it an excellent driving position and a clear view out, which helps to improve safety too.

For more safe van driving tips see Confused.com’s article Managing the Load.

Built for all requirements

It may be stylish and spacious, but this van still comes with a practical element. You can specify your NV200 with black plastic bumpers, rather than body-coloured ones, and steel wheels rather than alloys – so you’ll have no trouble coping with the rough and tumble with this set up. There’s also the option of a Combi version, which brings a second row of seats that can be folded away and a rear cargo area.

Fully loaded

The real crux of any van is the load area, and on this score the NV200 doesn’t disappoint. It can handle over 750kg and 4.1 cubic metres of cargo: Nissan says it’s the largest payload in the class. Thanks to some clever design it can swallow loads that are 2 metres in length – up to 2.8 metres if the front passenger seat is folded away too. It can also swallow two standard Euro pallets - few of its rivals pull this off!

Car-like interior

The good news doesn’t stop once you get behind the wheel. As well as a distinctly car-like cabin with a smart layout and generous equipment, the NV200’s mechanicals are based on Nissan’s B-platform, which underpins the Micra and Note.

It also has available features like ESP, keyless go and a reversing camera. Nissan claims to be the lowest in class running costs too.

Read Confused.com’s Van Insurance Buyers Guide before you take to the road.

When can I get one? 

Van lovers will need to exercise patience for this one: the NV200 doesn’t reach the UK until October. The only downside is that the seven-seater version, designed to be a people carrier rather than a commercial vehicle, won’t be coming to the UK at all.