NISSAN NV200 COMPACT CARGO – Being your own boss has always been a goal for many people. Small businesses of all kinds are popping up everywhere thanks to the internet. Then there are the traditional contracting jobs — plumber, electrician, landscaping, and while the newspaper delivery business is on life-support, the delivery business is booming thanks to a little company called Amazon. So with being your own boss of your own company comes with many perks, more and more, the logistics of being in charge of your own mini-empire are becoming a growing market. And one of the biggest questions for newly minted entrepreneurs is, “How the heck am I going to get around?” Well, the 2020 Nissan NV200 might just be the answer to that very question.
The Nissan NV200 is the smallest of the cargo vans that Nissan makes, sitting below the NV1500, NV2500, and the oversized NV3500. But don’t let its diminutive looks fool you. The NV200 has a wheelbase of 115.2 inches and measures a pretty respectable 166.3 inches in total length. But the more important measurements are inside. The cargo area has a height of 53.0 inches, and then 82.8 inches long by 54.8 inches wide, which equates to a total area of 122.7 cubic feet of space to put whatever you need to inside of it, up to the payload capacity of 1,500 pounds. For those that might be moving washers and dryers or furniture, there is a full 48.0 inches between the rear wheel wells.
The Nissan NV200 is not going to be mistaken for a Corvette ZO6 anytime soon, but then, let’s see you move 1,000 pounds of lumber to a job site with that 650-horsepower blown LT4 motor in the Vette. The Nissan NV200 doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. It is a practical answer to lots of little questions. Power comes by way of a 2.0-liter inline-4 cylinder engine that makes a decent 131-horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. Like we said, it’s not going to win too many drag races. That power is then routed on to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). But without a payload of stuff, the NV200 weighs in at just about 3,200 pounds, so it doesn’t feel anemic on on-ramps. Though the smallish 185/60R15 tires don’t like uneven pavement very much, and make the van feel unsettled very quickly.
In terms of options, the NV2300 has enough to make it feel like a useable daily driver. Remote keyless entry, cruise control, heated side mirrors, two 12-volt power points, and a touchscreen infotainment center using NissanConnect which features voice recognition as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Bluetooth streaming audio. For the work minded, there is also a very innovative fold-down passenger seat which creates a mobile desk for a laptop, tablet, clipboard, or even lunch if necessary. The locking center console has enough space for that same laptop, or for hanging files. Under that same folding passenger seat is a draw for under seat storage. For practicality, there are 12 integrated tie-downs along the wall and floor, and the floor ties fold flat when not in use to help stay out of the way. The dual sliding side doors make loading and unloading easier, as does the low step-in height and wide 40/60 split rear door.
Safety is also a concern for anyone driving a car, truck, or mobile office. The NV200 has six standard air bags, and also uses Vehicle Dynamic Control and advanced braking that can compensate for extra weight onboard (via people or things) accordingly. Tire pressure monitoring and seat belt tensioners are also available and extremely useful, as is the standard anti-theft system.
The NV200 starts at just about $22,000 and is configurable in almost any way imaginable. So if you’d like to fill it with plants, tools, Amazon packages, laundry or even newspapers if that’s your thing, go right ahead. The point of the NV200 is that it is an inexpensive way to facilitate that which matters most to your business. So if you decide to buy an NV200 as your company car for your business, you should probably give yourself a raise for making a wise decision.
