Nissan NV200 2010 Review

In today's commercial MPV market, users are no longer satisfied with the basic requirement of "capacity." Models that balance daily commuting comfort with practical loading capabilities have gradually become mainstream. The 2010 Nissan NV200 Public is specifically targeted at this niche market. Its core positioning of being suitable for both commercial and personal use retains the space advantages of a van while aligning its configuration and driving experience more towards that of a family car. This time, we got our hands on the actual vehicle with the primary goal of testing its performance in real-world scenarios such as urban deliveries and short-distance passenger transportation, to see if it can effectively balance functionality for commercial use with the comfort of a family car.

In terms of exterior design, the NV200 Public leans towards practicality, with no excessive flashy elements. The front features Nissan's family-style trapezoidal grille, paired with round headlights for a simple and elegant overall look with decent recognizability. The side profile has straight lines running from the front to the rear, a design that maximizes the interior longitudinal space. At the rear, the vertically arranged taillights blend seamlessly with the rear bumper, and the rear door opening is wide, making it convenient to load and unload large items. Regarding the lighting system, the front headlights use halogen bulbs, which, although of moderate brightness, are sufficient for everyday use. The taillights provide clear warning effects, ensuring that trailing vehicles can detect it in time.

Opening the door, the interior layout focuses on simplicity and practicality. The dashboard adopts a two-tone color scheme with dark on top and light on the bottom. Its design is slightly angled towards the driver, with commonly used functional buttons such as the air conditioning controls and radio concentrated within easy reach, making them very user-friendly. In terms of materials, most parts of the interior are made of hard plastic, which is common in commercial vehicles. However, the plastic does not feel cheap, as its textured finish adds a touch of refinement. Regarding configuration, it comes with a manual air conditioner, a radio, and a USB port. While it lacks advanced smart features, it adequately meets basic needs. The seats are made of fabric material, with the driver’s seat offering manual adjustment. Although the adjustment range is somewhat limited, the seats provide good wrapping and support, ensuring comfort even during long hours of driving.

One of the highlights of the NV200 Public is its space performance. Its body dimensions are 4400mm×1695mm×1847mm, with a wheelbase of 2725mm, putting it at a higher level compared to competitors in its class. The front row is spacious, and a passenger of 175 cm in height seated in the driver’s position has ample headroom and legroom. The rear rows adopt a 2+3 seating layout, and after adjusting the second-row seats to a proper position, third-row passengers still have about a fist's width of legroom and sufficient headspace. Regarding storage capabilities, there are many compartments inside the vehicle. The door panels in the front row have storage slots that can fit two bottles of water, and there is also a hidden storage box under the dashboard, perfect for storing small items like a phone or wallet. If larger items need to be loaded, the third-row seats can be fully folded down, expanding the trunk's volume to 1470 liters, enough to easily fit household appliances like washing machines and refrigerators.

In terms of powertrain, the 2010 NV200 Public is equipped with a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine with a maximum power of 83kW (113 horsepower) and a peak torque of 150N·m, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Judging by the figures, its power output is at a mid-level among vehicles in the same class. During actual driving, the power delivery is quite smooth when starting off, with no significant lag. When the engine speed reaches 2000 rpm, there is a small burst of power, and its acceleration performance is adequate for urban driving needs. During overtaking, it is necessary to raise the engine speed above 3000 rpm, at which point the power output becomes more robust, and the overtaking process is smoother. As for driving modes, it does not offer multiple drive mode options; instead, there is only a standard mode, a setting more in line with its position as a commercial vehicle.

In terms of handling and chassis, the performance of the NV200 Public is commendable. The steering wheel has moderate weight and precise directionality. There is no obvious slack, making it agile and easy to handle when driving on narrow city roads. The chassis adopts a front MacPherson independent suspension and rear leaf spring non-independent suspension, a combination that balances load capacity and comfort. When driving on bumpy roads, the rear suspension effectively filters out vibrations, ensuring no significant jolts are transmitted into the cabin. During cornering, the suspension provides good support with minimal body roll, resulting in decent stability.

Fuel consumption testing was one of the key projects this time. We conducted tests on both urban roads and highways, with an average speed of approximately 30km/h in urban areas and 80km/h on highways. The test results showed that the fuel consumption in urban areas is about 8.5L/100km, and on the highway is about 7.2L/100km. Such fuel consumption performance is relatively economical for a commercial vehicle, effectively reducing users' operating costs.

In terms of driving and riding comfort, the NV200 Public exceeded our expectations. Despite being a commercial vehicle, its noise control is quite good. When driving on highways, wind noise and tire noise are within an acceptable range, and they do not significantly disrupt conversations among passengers inside the car. The seat comfort is also notable. The fabric seats are breathable, ensuring that even during long rides on hot summer days, passengers won't feel stuffy.

In summary, the core highlights of the 2010 Nissan NV200 Public are its spaciousness, economic fuel consumption, and decent driving comfort. Compared to vehicles in its class, it stands out with significant space advantages, making it easy to handle both passenger and cargo transportation. Its strong fuel economy saves users a decent amount on fuel expenses. Moreover, its driving comfort has been greatly improved over traditional van-style vehicles, catering to both commercial and household needs.

Overall, the NV200 Public is a highly suitable model for urban commercial use, especially for users who frequently deliver goods or transport passengers over short distances. Its spacious design meets diverse loading requirements, and its economical fuel consumption reduces operational costs. The commendable driving comfort can also alleviate driver fatigue during extended work periods. If you're in search of a dual-purpose vehicle for business and personal use, the NV200 Public is worth considering.