Nissan NV Cargo Van: Authentic Japanese Commercial Vehicle

The Nissan NV Cargo Van is a reliable workhorse designed for businesses that need versatile and spacious cargo vehicle. With one of the best warranties in its class—5 years or 100,000 miles—it brings reassurance to owners who depend on their vans daily.

What really sets the NV Cargo apart is its flexible cargo space. With multiple roof heights and configurations, this van adapts easily to just about any job. The high-roof version even lets you stand up inside, which is a big plus if you spend a lot of time working out of your van.

On the road, it rides smoother and quieter than many commercial vans. Plus, it can tow up to 9,400 pounds depending on the engine you choose. That said, fuel economy isn’t its strongest suit—expect roughly 12 to 15 miles per gallon, which is typical for a full-size cargo van.

Inside, the NV Cargo is all about practicality. Materials are durable but simple, and the exterior styling leans toward function over flashiness. This isn’t a van that tries to look pretty—it’s built to work hard.

In terms of maintenance, you can expect to spend around $800 to $1,000 a year keeping it in shape. Regular oil changes, brake checks, and fluid replacements are key to making sure your van stays ready for the next job.

Over the years, the NV Cargo has had some recalls, usually related to fuel systems and airbags. These issues are on par with what you’d expect in a commercial van. The 2025 models are relatively new, so there aren’t many reported recalls yet, so it’s wise to keep an eye on pre-owned models with good maintenance history.

Nissan NV200 Overview

Since its first appearance on the market in 2009, the Nissan NV200 has rapidly gained popularity among brand fans. Already at the start of sales, the model was able to win more than 30% of the market. Initially, the NV van was designed as a passenger car. The Nissan designers did not reach a compromise or consensus in the debate about the final version's appearance. As a result, the NV200 prototype was born.

Premiere of the 2009 Geneva Motor Show

The Nissan NV200 was first presented to the general public in Geneva. The manufacturer offered two modifications: a family minivan and a van. Looking ahead, Nissan also launched the production of a cargo-passenger version, better known as Combi.

Even though the length of the car is only 173 in, the minivan can accommodate as many as three rows of seats. How did the designers manage to achieve such an impressive result?

• Firstly, the use of front-wheel drive;
• Secondly, the compact rear suspension.

The low floor, the hallmark of the Nissan NV200, provides a fantastic cargo compartment capacity of more than 141 cubic feet. In the Nissan NV200 Combi, the backrests of the second-row seats can be folded in sections or forward. This innovation again provides a significant gain in free space.

The Nissan NV200 van has a hinged cargo door. At the buyer's request, the manufacturer installed side windows. 

Design features

The first thing that distinguishes the NV200 minivan is its completely removable seats. You can expand your luggage compartment to gigantic proportions in just a few minutes. 

NV200 is different:

• ideal body clearance;
• the presence of wide side windows, even in commercial, cargo versions;
• soft independent suspension of the front axle mounted on a separate subframe.

But the main feature of the Nissan NV200 is the highly durable leaf spring suspension. The springs are wide, reliable, and made of high-carbon steel. They can withstand numerous alternating loads without consequences. Neither deep holes, high-speed bumps, nor the country roads can damage the suspension even to the extent of routine repairs.

Dimensions

The overall dimensions of the NV200 depend on the year of manufacture and configuration. For example, the first generation car of the M20 modification has dimensions of 173 × 66.7 × 72.8 inches in length, width, and height, respectively, and the Premium GX equipment is already 174 × 66.7 × 73 in.

Nissan NV200 is designed for seven people, including the driver.

What Is the Nissan e-NV200?

The e-NV200 is an electric vehicle designed on the B0 platform. Before installing traction motors, the designers seriously modified the van. The prototype for the location of the power unit was the Nissan Leaf: they borrowed the front suspension, battery layout in the rear part, and electric motor from it. The front of the e-NV200 had to be lengthened, and the width increased by as much as 2.4 in. The floor level has also become lower.

The e-NV200 battery capacity compared to the Nissan Leaf increased from 30 to 40 kWh, while its dimensions remained the same. Due to this, the engineers achieved their goal - significantly increasing the power reserve. According to the manufacturers, the e-NV200 can travel up to 112 miles on one charge.

Nissan NV200 - Taxi of Tomorrow

The history of this project began in 2007 when the New York government began to think about the future of taxis. Every day, 600,000 city residents use its services, so the appearance and characteristics of yellow cars are crucial for the city's image, so they organized the “Taxi of Tomorrow” competition. In 2009, the requirements for participants were determined, and in May 2011, Nissan won the tender with a special modification of the NV200 minivan.

Since 2013, Nissan has had an exclusive contract to supply taxis to New York City.

Key features of the Nissan NV200 Taxi were as follows:

• four seats for passengers and their luggage, providing more space than in current taxis;
• sliding doors with step and handle for easy entry/exit;
• glass roof - overview of skyscrapers;
• opening side windows;
• separate climate control for the rear row;
• carbon filter for air purification;
• illumination for passengers from above (reading) and below (placement of luggage);
• connectors for charging electronic devices (12V and two USB);
• durable, breathable, environmentally friendly, easy-to-clean seat covering made of a material similar to leather;
• flat floor.

In addition, Nissan notes other features of the car: a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 150 thousand-mile warranty, non-irritating horn, 6-way driver's seat, navigation, reverse camera, and airbags for both rows.

What are common maintenance costs for Nissan NV Cargo Van?

When it comes to upkeep, the Nissan NV Cargo Van is fairly typical for a workhorse of its size. On average, owners spend about $800 to $1,000 a year on maintenance and repairs. This includes everything from routine oil changes and brake checks to tire rotations and fluid replacements — all essential for keeping the van reliable on the job.

Considering longer-term costs, data from Edmunds indicates that over five years, Nissan NV Cargo Van maintenance alone can total approximately $4,400. Repairs may add roughly $3,500, which is consistent with the cost of other full-size cargo vans. These figures reflect typical wear and tear for a commercial vehicle often carrying heavy loads and towing.

Knowing these costs upfront can help you budget accordingly and decide if the Nissan NV Cargo Van fits your business needs. It’s a solid, reliable van that demands routine care but rewards owners with durability and lasting utility.

What kind of gas mileage does it get?

You’ll see around 12 to 15 MPG, depending on which engine you pick and how much you’re hauling.

How much can NV Cargo Van carry and tow?

Payload ranges from roughly 2,700 to 3,900 pounds, and towing capacity can hit up to 9,400 pounds.

Is the cargo area customizable?

Absolutely. Whether you need shelving or a stand-up high roof, the NV Cargo adapts to suit your specific work needs.

Does Nissan Still Make NV Commercial Vans?

In 2021, Nissan NV and Nissan NV200 light commercial vehicles have been discontinued. The reason was a decrease in sales of these cars. In 2020, 20,022 units of Nissan NV and 18,766 Nissan NV200 were sold. The company's management considered these indicators insufficient. 

Fortunately, you can still purchase a Nissan NV van on the secondary market. 

At Indy Auto Man, we have a rich assortment of commercial vans and trucks for sale. If you want to compare several models, visit our car lot in Indianapolis and buy your ideal vehicle for a successful business. We also offer professional customization services to make any model perfectly suit your goals. Browse the inventory right now!