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THE HISTORY OF THE NISSAN NV200
The Nissan NV200 is a small van designed for both leisure and light commercial use. It’s a relatively modern make of van, having been first announced at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and then originally released two years later, in 2009. For a time, it was also sold in Japan under the Mitsubishi badge as the Delica, although this was discontinued in 2019.
As well as the diesel and petrol models, an electric version of the van (the e-NV200) was first teased as a concept in 2012, before it originally launched as one of the first all-electric taxis in both London (2012) and New York City (2013). In 2014 the e-NV200 went on sale to the public, and by 2016 was the top-selling electric commercial van in Europe. Brand new, the electric model is the only one now available.
The NV200 is quite a compact van although the interior is still spacious, ideal for use for cargo or when converted as a campervan. Both Manual and Automatic transmission models are available if you’re buying second-hand, but brand-new you can only buy the electric model.
To see what’s possible from a Nissan NV200 camper conversion, check out this tour of a custom one from a US company.
Pros:
- Surprisingly spacious for a compact van
- Low base and high ceiling makes it really comfortable to sit in while in the back
- Petrol and diesel conversions are reasonably priced
- Comfortable, smooth drive, especially for a light commercial van
Cons:
- Limited built-in storage, so much of the conversion needs to focus on adding storage space
- Not the best fuel consumption
- Electric models are limited so conversions are expensive
Quirks:
- One of the few widely-available all-electric campervan conversions
- Empty shell makes it great for DIY conversions
Nissan NV200 Campervan Review: What’s Inside?
The NV200 is a relatively small van but with a lot of space inside. However, as a van that’s pretty much all there is inside – space. There’s very little existing storage that you can make use of.
You may see this as a positive or a negative depending on how much work you want to put into your own conversion. If you were hoping for an easier job then you may feel that there’s more work to do, but if you want to completely customise your camper then you’ve essentially got a blank canvas to work with.
The seats don’t swivel as standard but it’s relatively easy to get swivel plates installed instead, meaning you can use the front as a sitting area and maximise your storage and bedding area in the back.
Despite being small, the van has a low floor and a high ceiling so sitting in the back is really comfortable – you won’t feel hunched over. Of course, if you want to stand then you’re going to need to opt for a campervan with a pop-top, which will make the already-roomy interior feel even bigger.
Nissan NV200 Camper Conversion Tips
With its almost empty interior, the Nissan NV200 is a DIY converter’s dream. You’ve got the ability to do whatever you want with the space, without needing to spend a long time ripping out anything existing first.
It’s a popular van for camper conversions, which means there are some great options for buying ready-made or custom campers if you don’t want to do the work yourself. This is especially handy if you want an electric model, but bear in mind that getting one of these done professionally will be quite costly.
If you’re the kind of person that is determined to create your own camper masterpiece, or you’ve just seen an NV200 second hand that’s a great price that you think you can convert on a budget, then here are some of the things to consider:
- Standing space
The NV200 is a small van, and while it is praised for having a low floor and a high ceiling, that doesn’t mean you can expect to be standing upright in it. At least, not without adding a pop-top roof.
You could leave it as it is for a simple conversion, since there is ample height for sitting comfortably, but if you want to be able to stand then factor in the costs of that extra roof space when you’re budgeting.
- Seating
While there is a surprising amount of room in the back of the NV200, you’re going to want to maximise it. Which means ideally you should look at how you can utilise the existing front seats as your seating area, leaving the back for your bed and kitchen space.
The seats don’t swivel as standard, but getting a swivel plate fitted is relatively straight forward, and means you don’t have to sacrifice any of that space in the back for a sofa.
- Storage
You get very little storage included in the NV200 as it comes, and because it’s an empty shell there aren’t really many nooks or crannies you can convert yourself. So if you want to build storage into your conversion you’ll be doing it completely from scratch.
- Flooring
If you’re converting a commercial model of the NV200 then you’re only going to have a hard metal floor. But because the shell is so simple, you can easily fit your own carpet without a huge amount of effort. The MPV version will come carpeted already, but the commercial models are cheaper to convert since they don’t have the extra seats.
- Power
There are multiple ways you can power your NV200 and everything you want it to contain, and while it’s a small van you could quite easily add a couple of solar panels to the roof. Professional converters can create custom fully-electric models for the most eco-friendly and simplest camper possible.
Looking for more tips on converting a Nissan NV200? There’s quite the active community online for this popular van, so you can get all the help you need to create your dream campervan conversion.
Hoping to buy a NISSAN NV200?
Head to our CAMPERVAN BIBLE where we have listed the best places to buy a campervan and find campervans for sale.
Nissan NV200 Prices (Average)
If you’re looking to buy a brand-new Nissan NV200 unconverted, then you’re limited to the electric model only, although it is extremely popular. Expect to pay somewhere between £24,000 and £28,000 for a brand new e-NV200.
Second hand you can get more of a deal. Pre-2015 models are cheaper, coming in between £4,000 and £7,000 on average, while more recent models are a little more expensive at somewhere between £9,000 and £15,000.
That’s all before conversion – if you’re converting it yourself you’ll need to budget anywhere between an extra £500 and £5,000 depending on the complexity of the installation. You can also pick up either a brand new or second hand pre-converted model.
The current average price for a professional-quality second hand NV200 conversion is between £17,000 and £28,000, and if you want a brand new all-electric converted camper you’re looking at around £65,000 – demand is high.
Nissan NV200 Alternatives
If you’re not completely sold on the Nissan NV200, why not take a look at one of these alternatives?
Ford Transit Connect
- Production – 2002 to present
- Dimensions – 4.4-4.8m (length) x 1.8m (width) x 1.8m (height)
- Engine sizes – Various petrol 1.0 to 2.5L
The smaller, younger brother to the ever-popular Ford Transit, the Connect model has all the same hallmarks of being great to drive, comfortable and spacious too. It’s let down by an uninspiring interior but this is a minor drawback. It’s not super-expensive either, but second-hand models will still likely cost more than the equivalent NV200.
Peugeot Partner
- Production – 1996 to present
- Dimensions – 4.4-4.8m (height) x 1.8-2.1m (width) x 1.8m (height)
- Engine sizes – 1.2L Petrol, 1.5L Diesel, 1.6L Diesel (older first-gen models have more options)
Another extremely popular van is the Peugeot Partner. Considered one of the best vans of this size to drive, it is wonderfully responsive and comfortable. The real highlight is the i-Cockpit, an innovative and highly popular cockpit layout that gives you a great driving experience. Like the NV200 it has limited storage space, with the major drawback being the cost – this is one of the more expensive fans within this size range.
Nissan NV250
- Production – 2019 to present
- Dimensions – 3.9-4.7m (length) x 1.8m (width) x 1.8m (height)
- Engine sizes – 1.2L Petrol, 1.6L Petrol, 1.5L Diesel
Want to stick with Nissan? The NV250 is considered the replacement model, but it’s not quite as tall. It’s actually modelled on the older model of Renault Kangoo, an extremely popular small van for camper conversions. If you like Nissan’s five-year warranty but want a new van that isn’t electric, the NV250 is your best bet, though you’ll definitely want to add a pop-top roof to this one to give you enough vertical space in the rear.
Anything else we should know?
How much does the Nissan camper van cost?
The Nissan NV200 will cost between £17,000 and £28,000 for a model that has already been converted, if you’re happy buying second hand. Brand new models are electric only, making them highly popular but also quite expensive – expect to pay north of £65,000 for one of these.
It’s significantly cheaper to buy an unconverted Nissan NV200 and do the work yourself if you have the skill.
How reliable is the Nissan NV200?
Most car review sites describe the NV200 as being generally good. Since the car was only launched in 2009 there aren’t many old models that carry sever warnings, and providing you buy one with full service history you should find that it will run well.
Brand new NV200 vans come with a five-year warranty, though this may be voided by your conversion – though usually only if the conversion exceeds the payload.
SEE IT IN ACTION!
Want to learn more about the Nissan NV200 from others who’ve made the leap? Check out these great blogs to see what other Mazda Bongo owners have managed to do with their camper, and the adventures they’ve enjoyed
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Can you sleep in a Nissan NV200?
Yes, a Nissan NV200 is long enough to comfortably hold a bed as part of a camper version, so you can sleep in one without issue. Depending on your choice of conversion layout you may struggle to fit more than a double bed in with the width, so you need to plan your storage choices carefully if you plan on the van sleeping two people.
Can you live in a Nissan NV200?
The NV200 is a really popular option for campervan conversion and you can comfortably use one for extended holidays or touring. They aren’t the biggest van, but you will be able to fit a small kitchen area and bed in the rear if you maximise the space. It doesn’t have standing room, but a pop-top roof can be added to resolve this.
What is the life expectancy of a Nissan NV200?
You can expect an absolute minimum of 100,000 miles from your NV200 but in reality they often last much longer, up to 300,000 miles without major issues, providing you maintain it properly. Driving 15,000 miles a year means that your NV200 could last up to 20 years.
Is the Nissan NV200 front wheel drive?
The Nissan NV200 is front-wheel drive only – there are no four-wheel drive options. It’s still comfortable and easy to drive but it does mean that you should stick to roads when using the NV200.
Where are Nissan NV200 made?
While the Nissan NV200 was originally assembled in the company’s major factories in Japan, European models are now made in the plant in Barcelona.
Nissan NV200 Campervan Review: Final Thoughts
Nissan NV200 vans are a really dependable and popular option for your campervan. They aren’t exactly cheap, but you get plenty of room for a small van that is a pleasure to drive, and there’s a great online community to support you on your conversion journey.
However, if you have the budget to buy a brand new converted model then go for it – you can get a fantastic electrical campervan packed with great features with all of the work done for you.
If you’ve undertaken a self build project on a Nissan NV200, it’s crucial to have specialised insurance. Explore self build campervan insurance to cover your vehicle and give you more peace of mind.
While you are here why not compare campervan insurance quotes for your new Nissan NV200 campervan, we make it quick and easy for you to get multiple quotes to compare from specialist insurers using one form.
Check out our other campervan reviews:
- Mazda Bongo campervan review
- Toyota Alphard campervan review
- Renault Trafic campervan review
- Ford Nugget campervan review
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