Base Price: $19,990 to $20,980
Competitors: Ford Transit Connect
Powertrains: 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder, 131 hp, 139 lb-ft; CVT automatic, FWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 24/25
What's New: With the release of the new 2013 Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo, the small cargo van segment isn't a party of one (the Ford Transit Connect) anymore. The production version of the vehicle that will become the new taxicab of New York City, the 2013 NV200 features an impressive turning radius of 36.7 feet and available floor-mounted D-rings to secure cargo on its low-slung floor. A fold-down passenger seat that can be used as a desk for drivers on the go and underseat sliding drawers for storage demonstrate Nissan's quest to lure commercial drivers with smart features.
Tech Tidbit: The 2013 NV200 looks too small for a cargo van on the outside, but that low-sitting flat floor (which makes for easy ingress and egress in the taxi version) allows for an impressive 122 cubic feet of storage space without the need for a raised roof.
Driving Character: No one hops in a cargo/passenger van expecting a high-performance machine, but ride quality and handling are everything for drivers who will spend all day in a vehicle. Here the NV200 Compact Cargo delivers. It's easy to drive, handles tight city spaces well with its sharp turning radius, and has plenty of pickup for interstate use from the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Our biggest complaint with the 2013 NV200 was the blandness of its CVT automatic transmission, but in this type of vehicle that's hardly a deal-breaker.
Favorite Detail: The combination of the 2013 NV200's flat wheel wells and low floor height make the compact van feel closer to a full-size cargo truck. There's minimal wheelhouse intrusion into the load floor, which contributes to the sense of roominess and space in the new NV200. Look for some impressive capacity numbers when Nissan releases the extended-height version down the road.
Driver's Grievance: The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine pulls well when the 2013 NV200 Compact Cargo is empty, but one has to wonder how the 139 lb-ft of torque will handle the 1500-pound full load capacity. The NV200 targets small- and medium-size businesses, so perhaps Nissan isn't expecting the van to be run at full load that often. Still, that's a low torque number.
Bottom Line: As a smartly designed, comfortable, and roomy commercial van, the 2013 Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo makes for a formidable challenger to the Ford Transit Connect. As the New York City taxi version of the NV200 hits the streets this fall, Nissan's increased visibility will create an interesting competition between the two commercial vehicles. The Transit Connect has years of market dominance behind it, having built reputation and customer loyalty, and that van looks sharper than ever in 2014 guise. The NV200, however, has a cleverly laid-out interior that every resident and visitor to New York City will be able to take a test-ride in at will. When fleet buyers experience the surprising roominess and comfort of the 2013 NV200's interior, you just may see more on roads near you.
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