Used 2021 Nissan NV1500 for sale 

The 2021 Nissan NV comes in three trim levels: S, SV, and SL. The Passenger vans are pretty similar, but the cargo vans get broken into three variations similar to pickup trucks: 1500, 2500 HD, and 3500 HD. The 1500 model comes only with a standard roof and a 4.0-liter V6 engine (261 horsepower, 281 lb-ft of torque) paired to a five-speed automatic transmission. 

The SL models come with chrome wheels and grille, a center console with a sliding table and lockable storage, passenger models leather upholstery, heated front seats, fog lights, and dual-zone climate control. A navigation system is available via a smaller 5.8-inch touch screen.

Stepping up to the SV model adds upgraded wheels, cruise control, and power-adjustable mirrors. Simultaneously, SV vans get an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 6-speaker audio system, and rear parking sensors.

Nissan, like all other Japanese manufacturers, has a reputation for making extremely reliable cars. The company has always been at the top of the surveys, and Consumer Reports list consistently. One can find endless surveys and lists in which Nissan holds quite a strong position in their reliability factor. One of the biggest reasons is the uncomplicated technology they put in their cars, making them affordable and reliable.

Reliability and Ownership Costs

The van has been spotless when it comes to reliability. The cargo van has, unsurprisingly, not been rated by J.D. Power, nor have any recalls been recorded on the 2020 model. However, one was issued for 2019 models for a faulty rear-view camera. 

However, the NV Cargo is offered with a class-leading warranty plan to overcome any hurdle. The Nissan NV Cargo will cost you around $79,000 in terms of 5 years of ownership. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has bothered to crash-test the Nissan NV Cargo, which is not uncommon for commercial vehicles. But the van gets all the necessary safety accouterments.

Warranty

At five years or 100,000 miles, Nissan's basic warranty package on the 2021 Nissan NV is significantly longer than the warranties offered on the GMC Savana, Chevy Express, Ram ProMaster, Ford Transit, and Mercedes Sprinter. Nissan, however, does not pay for any scheduled maintenance.

Miles Per Dollar

The actual cost to own a Nissan NV 1500 Cargo Van according to the length of 5 years and 15,000 miles driven per year is $39,971. That makes a miles-per-dollar figure of 7.5.

Looking at what both trims offer, it is easy to see that the SV trim provides more value for what it costs. You get a lot more equipment as standard; maybe many customers would not be that keen on the creature comfort offered in a cargo van, but the driver-assist tech offered is worth going the extra step higher the trim ladder.

Is buying a used Nissan NV 1500 Cargo Van a good idea?

It would be rather wise if you go for a used Nissan NV 1500 Cargo Van if you get some great deals. Nissan has already announced that the vans will cost $400 dearer for its last model year. Since the van is unchanged for 2020 so, you can also opt for some 2019 models.

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t need to test the NV’s max payload limits, the standard 4.0-liter V6 is respectably capable with its 261 horsepower/281 lb-ft of torque. While the NV’s V6 is sufficient for light-to-medium jobs, it’s hard to go wrong with the big 5.6-liter V8(NV 2500). That upgraded engine’s 375 horsepower and 387 lb-ft of torque make quick work of the kind of work for which this van is made: hauling loads of stuff and lots of people. A smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission is standard on all models.

Even fully laden with cargo, vans equipped with the V6 should never feel sluggish. With the right equipment, vans with this powertrain can tow up to 6000 lbs of braked weight - besting what rival vans offer by a substantial margin.

All the vans except the Sprinter Cargo Van are closely matched with their power and torque outputs. As for this driving characteristics, well, it’s a big box on wheels, so don’t get too excited. Its truck-like, body-on-frame construction can feel even stiffer than unibody rivals such as the Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster, but it also allows the NV to tow more than those two.

2021 Nissan NV 1500 Cargo Van Acceleration And Braking Performance

The powertrain is quick and assertive on its own, but you will feel it lacking punch as soon as you put some heavy loads on. Nissan covers 0-60MPH in just 9.6 secs and the quarter-mile in 17.4 secs.

The brakes handle quite well, bringing the heavy vehicle to a halt at around 147 feet from 60 mph. With neither system inspiring a great deal of confidence, responsible driving will be key to ensuring a safe commute. The lack of advanced safety features only serves to reinforce this notion.

The Ford Transit Cargo van is relatively quick on its feet, has the best 0-60 and quarter-mile figures. As with the Transit, the NV is rear-wheel drive. You’ll want to be extra careful in corners if you go with the high-roof option, as that also means a higher center of gravity.

Nissan NV 1500 Cargo Van is a commercial vehicle, not to mention it has a gross-vehicle-weight rating of more than 8500 pounds, which means there are no fuel economy figures from the EPA. 

However, based on countless user reviews ans surveys, you can expect fuel economy figures around 13-14 mpg, and yes, these figures are for the V6 engine. Of course, the heavier the loads you lug, the engine will guzzle fuel with more greed. You get a 28-gallon tank, which means you can travel about 392 miles between filling up your tank. 

The range is pretty average for the cargo vans segment; then, the van runs on regular gasoline, which means general running costs are down. The NV is somewhat dated, especially compared to newer competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the Ford Transit, both of which offer all-wheel drive and fuel-efficient engines.

Nissan says that they played their part in making the NV 1500 Cargo Van more comfortable than conventional commercial vans; however, that is difficult to see. This doesn’t mean that the seating is not comfortable; however, spend some time inside the cabin, and it is easy to see that the style and comfort was not a primary concern; you only get acceptable levels of comfort.

The dashboard is cleanly laid out with uncomplicated controls; ergonomic efficiency is the theme here. Maybe that is also because the number of features themselves is hardly extensive. You will find many hard plastics strewn across the cabin; however, the whole dash feels well-built, too, as a result.

However, Nissan has gone overboard with the hard plastics, and now you see even the center armrests also featuring the plastics, and it limits the comfort. Four-way manual seats come as standard, and there is plenty of head and legroom. Do keep in mind that the NV 1500 does not get the high roof option, but you would rarely feel its absence. Visibility out the front is good, at the back is terrible, and you will need the rearview camera’s help almost all the time.

Two doors at the back can swing out to open the rear for easy loading and access completely. Passenger models include side windows to improve visibility, and the cargo variant offers glass windows in the back. The Nissan NV comes only in one length: 240.6 inches. Ford Transit Cargo Van has a class-leading head and shoulder room but lags severely with its legroom.

How’s the 2021 Nissan NV 1500 Cargo Van’s infotainment system?

The infotainment suite here is light and passable, barely. Atop dashboard sits a 7-inch touchscreen and is compatible with Bluetooth, and it also supports AM/FM. For ports, you get a USB port, an auxiliary jack, and an auxiliary audio input jack is supplied, as well.

You get two speakers on the front as standard, and you get two more units added when you upgrade to the SV. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is not offered, unfortunately.

Here are the standard features at a glance

• 7.0-inch display
• 2-unit sound system
• Bluetooth
• AM/FM radio

NV 1500 Cargo Van partially shares its underpinnings with the Nissan Titan pick-up truck. This is why you would find several truck-like elements in the overall appearance of the van. As a result, the van looks a lot more rugged and bulkier than the other vans in this segment. 

To add more character to this chunky brick on wheels, there is a blacked-out grille in the front and not a V-shaped grille, which you would usually see in many Nissan vehicles. The headlights are large and chunky; 17-inch steel wheels come as standard; however, chrome-clad wheels are also an option. The doors open wide, and the doors on the side slide open. As a finishing touch, several surfaces have black trimmings.

The full-size NV Cargo Van has segment-average dimensions, measuring 240.6 inches long with a 146.1-inch wheelbase. To accommodate maximum cargo capacity, the van measures 79.9 inches wide. Height varies even between roof choices, with the standard roof seeing the height range between 83.9 - 84.9 inches (trim dependant) while the high roof increases this to 105 - 106 inches.

Since the Nissan NV 1500 Cargo Van is a commercial vehicle, NHTSA and IIHS will not bother to crash-test the vehicle. However, the van gets many essential safety accouterments; there are very limited features as optional features, which you may have seen in more premium vehicles. The features are listed below:

• Vehicle dynamic control
• Traction control
• Front seat belts with pre-tensioners
• Two-wheel active brake limited slip

2021 Nissan NV 1500 Cargo Van Vs. 2021 Ford Transit Cargo Van

Probably the biggest arch-rival, Transit Cargo Van single-handedly is the reason for the NV’s end. One of the most reliable and practical vehicles of this segment, this van has consistently been on top of the cargo van charts for a respectable amount of time, and you can easily see why. 

Comfortable cabin, potent powertrain, fun to drive nature, best design cues are the standout aspects of NV 1500 Cargo van, and the list is endless.

2021 Nissan NV 1500 Cargo Van Vs. 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van not only sounds much more premium than a Nissan, it is a van that may not offer anything groundbreaking with practicality, but it does the other things right. 

The driving comfort, comfortable and luxurious interiors, and a great design language come together beautifully; the variety available in the body configurations help as well. one of the very few Mercs you would call value-for-money.

The 2021 Nissan NV 1500 Cargo Van has shown its competence for years now, a tough rear-wheel-drive vehicle and traditional full-size van designed to meet every business’s needs. It is one of the largest commercial vans on the market, not to mention one of the best towing and payload capabilities. 

But at the same time, it is relatively easy to see why this van is nearing its end of the line; the scanty safety tech and a decade old underpinnigs. The rivals in the segment simply offer a lot, and it is hard for the NV to keep up with these upmarket commercial stalwarts.