Nissan NV300 review (2021)

• All engines are smooth and responsive
• Newer 2.0-litre models have more power but may prove noisier
• NV300 steers well and copes with bumpy roads nicely

Looking for a comfortable, car-like driving experience from your van? The NV300 could be the one for you - these are good vans to drive, with plenty of power and refinement.

Nissan NV300 1.6-litre engines

There were four 1.6-litre dCi turbodiesel engines to choose from in the NV300 from when it was first introduced in 2016 until November 2019, when the 2.0-litre engine became available:

• 95hp with 260Nm of torque (single turbo)
• 120hp with 300Nm of torque (single turbo)
• 125hp with 320Nm of torque (twin-turbo)
• 145hp with 340Nm of torque (twin-turbo)

We've a lot of experience with these engines across all the vans (and cars) they're fitted in and you shouldn't be put off by their size. Though we'd always recommend going for a twin-turbo version if you can, even the least powerful variants will cope with light-duty work if you're patient.

Smooth and refined on the move, they help the NV300 feel car-like at high speeds. Being small, these engines are also light, which means the vans they're fitted to change direction keenly and tend to ride bumps very well.

The steering is well-weighted, if a little lifeless, but the NV300 is very easy to control at both high speeds and when manoeuvring, helped by great visibility thanks to large side mirrors and a large area of glass.

All NV300s are fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. This is precise enough, but has quite a long throw. It’s easy to use though and the NV300 does seem much more like a large MPV than cumbersome commercial vehicle to drive overall.

Nissan NV300 2.0-litre engines

In November 2019, Nissan switched to a new range of 2.0-litre dCi turbodiesel engines. These are bigger but cleaner, and bring a useful bump in torque and range-topping performance:

• 120hp with 320Nm of torque
• 145hp with 350Nm of torque
• 170hp with 380Nm of torque

Again, a six-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard, but new for this engine is the option of a six-speed DCT automatic gearbox on the 145hp and 170hp variants.

We're yet to drive the new 2.0-litre motors in the NV300 as Nissan doesn't maintain much of a van press test fleet, but have sampled them in the technically identical Renault Trafic and Fiat Talento, and we're pleased to report they continue to provide excellent motivation in these vans.

Particularly sensitive drivers may notice the additional nose weight when driving quickly on a twisty road, and they perhaps aren't quite as refined as the extremely well-developed 1.6-litre units. But now equipped with variable geometry turbochargers, they do offer great response and plenty of performance.

The 145hp and auto gearbox combination is a particularly good choice - the 170hp is faster, but we'd choose to pay for the automatic instead of the extra horsepower if it's an either/or situation. A dual-clutch design similar to Volkswagen's DSG, this is quick to react yet smooth with its gear changes.

• Stylish interior with surprising amout of storage
• Generally feels well built
• Modest upgrades for 2019

Like the Renault Trafic, the Nissan NV300 feels more like a people carrier inside than a full-on van, thanks to details you’ll find in several Renault cars.

The dials look like they're lifted straight from a Clio supermini, while the touchscreen infotainment system available higher up the range is slick to use and makes it seem very car-like - something that's improved still further from November 2019, as the latest systems are intended to be as easy to use as a smartphone.

While the plastics appear largely hard-wearing, the panel ahead of the passenger where the airbag is feels very flimsy indeed – it’s soft to the point of being able to push it in a good couple of centimetres.

Is the NV300 comfortable?

It’s very easy to find a comfortable driving position thanks to plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel.

There’s also a claimed 89 litres of storage space inside the cab - some of it more useful than others. The fold-down cupholder, for example, is very shallow, which means most drinks are likely to fall out if you take a corner even a little bit enthusiastically.

There’s a handy tray area on top of the dashboard, though, and the dash-top cubby is a good size too.

Nissan is aiming to appeal to modern buyers with the NV300, so there are plenty of options available to turn it into a mobile office.

That means there are various cradles available for smartphones and tablets, laptop storage and a delivery note holder. There’s even a removable clipboard holder attached to the back of the centre seatback that can be adjusted into various positions when the centre seat is folded down.

Interior upgrades for 2019

There are no major design changes for the November 2019 model update, but NV300s from this point on benefit from black (rather than grey) dashboard plastics, new seat fabric and satin chrome detailing.

The touchscreen infotainment systems now not only boast new software, they also offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

• Good on fuel
• Five-year warranty
• 25,000-mile service intervals

Nissan claimed class-leading running costs at launch, with highlights including a five-year warranty and five years’ roadside assistance as part of the price. On-paper fuel economy is competitive, too, though the latest PSA Group vans (Dispatch / Expert / Vivaro / Proace) now lead in this area.

Nissan NV300 mpg

In terms of fuel economy, the NV300s with the 1.6-litre engines returns between 43.5 and 48.0mpg on paper, with the 125hp model best of the lot. However, these figures were all produced using the old NEDC testing method, which has now been replaced by a tougher WLTP standard, making them difficult to compare directly with the latest rivals - including 2.0-litre versions of the NV300.

Official fuel economy figures for these aren't out at the time of writing (November 2019), but based on the Renault Trafic with the same engines it's looking like the maximum claimed economy will now exceed 50mpg (but that is based on NEDC figures 'back-translated' from WLTP; we know - we wish the manufacturers would stop mucking about like this as well).

We'll update this page with more info once we have it.

Regardless of year, all NV300s use AdBlue to reduce exhaust emissions, so you'll need to factor this into your running costs.

Nissan NV300 service intervals

The NV300 requires a service every 25,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first.

Nissan NV300 warranty

The NV300 is covered by a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty - one of only three medium vans to offer this.

Nissan's warranty is fully transferable between owners, which should help keep second-hand values up when selling at three years' old.

Nissan NV300 trim levels

There are three: Visia, Acenta and Tekna.

The Nissan NV300 uses engines and technology that have been tried and tested in the Renault Trafic.

The Renault has been subject to a few recalls, but the lengthy five-year warranty indicates a promising degree of confidence from Nissan that build quality is up to scratch.

Everything inside feels like it should stand up to a tough life too, apart from that piece of trim where the passenger airbag is, so it’s unlikely bits of it will be falling apart after a short while.

• Autonomous emergency braking not even optional
• No advanced connectivity for added security

Sharing more than just engines and an interior with Renault means the Nissan NV300 is has a reasonable amount of standard safety equipment.

Though it is a shame that even the revised version isn't avaialble with autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

Nissan NV300 safety

All models come with at least a driver's airbag, hill-start assist and load-sensitive electronic stability control.

There's also an Extended Grip traction control system designed to help the van find maximum grip on slippery surfaces - handy for construction site work and similar - plus a low-tech but clever blindspot mirror in the passenger sun visor.

Useful extras including automatic lights and wipers, parking sensors, a reversing camera and trailer sway control.

Nissan NV300 security

All models get an immobilser as standard, but you'll have to pay extra for an alarm.

The locking system allows singel-door unlocking, however, and every van comes equipped with 'superlocks'. These won't stop someone with cutting equipment but may slow down opportunist thieves.

The NV300 and its extended family are starting to get left behind by rivals that now offer increased connectivity, however; there is no smatphone app to check your van is where you left it available from Nissan.