Like the maker’s smaller vans, the Nissan NV400 will probably look familiar to you, and that’s because it’s based on the Renault Master, the French company’s largest panel van. The NV400 was sold between 2010 and 2021 and its specifications, not to mention its looks, closely mirror those of the Renault.
As with the Master, one of the NV400’s strengths is its wide range of body lengths and heights, variants, and the availability of both front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive models. The main downside, for used buyers at least, is that they’re hard to find - the similar Renault and the Vauxhall Movano also based on the Master are much easier to come by.
The Renault and Vauxhall are the two key alternatives, particularly if you’re struggling to find a used NV400, but the Ford Transit, Volkswagen Crafter, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are all worth a look if you need a large panel van too.
Like the Renault Master it’s based on, the Nissan NV400 does a lot right for a van in this class. For a start, it has a huge range of variants that, when new at least, gave buyers a lot of options according to their needs: four body lengths, three roof heights, and front and rear wheel drive options, manual and automated manual transmissions, panel vans, as well as nine-seater passenger vans, platform cabs, and single and double chassis cabs. There was even a pretty wide range of colours.
The downside is that as a used purchase, a lot of those avenues will be closed to you simply because the NV400 isn’t a very common sight on the second-hand market. So however much affinity you might have for the Nissan brand, you might be better off opting for the Renault Master, or the similar Vauxhall Movano, both of which have similar features but are much easier to find.
The NV400 drives as well as the Master, being easy to manoeuvre, not leaning too much in corners, and having above-average ride quality even when not fully loaded. The 2.3-litre diesel engine pulls well too (or pushes well, in rear-drive variants), though some rival vans did offer more power for heavier-duty jobs.
Interior design tended towards the functional rather than the stylish, but that’s okay - though equipment levels were relatively sparse, and with just a single trim level, any extra features were options only, which adds another factor into finding a suitable used model.
As well as the Master and Movano, alternatives to the NV400 include the Volkswagen Crafter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, each of which had a similar range of body styles but more trim levels and drivetrain options (the Sprinter offers all-wheel drive), and the Ford Transit is hard to ignore too - not least as used ones are a doddle to find in all kinds of specifications.
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This really comes down to your needs as an operator, plus your luck in actually finding a suitable NV400 for sale, given the relatively small number on the market. With a single engine in various outputs, front and rear-wheel drive versions and several body sizes and styles, Nissan has at least given you several options, and somewhere in there is a van that might be suitable.
There’s just one trim level too which keeps the decision simple on that front, but when you do find an NV400, it’s worth checking to see how many option boxes the previous owner ticked, since several potentially useful features could only be found on the options list.
Nissan NV400 2.3 FWD: All NV400s were sold with a 2.3-litre turbocharged diesel engine. Front-wheel drive models came in 135PS, 150PS and 180PS outputs, the former pair available with a six-speed manual gearbox and the latter pair with a six-speed automated manual. Nissan did not quote performance or economy figures.
Nissan NV400 2.3 RWD: In rear-wheel drive form with the same 2.3-litre turbodiesel, the NV400 had 130PS, 145PS and 165PS variants, all controlled through a six-speed manual gearbox. Once again, there are no performance or fuel economy figures available.
One trim level is all you got with the NV400, with a small laundry list of options for making it either slightly easier to live with (air conditioning, a 7-inch multimedia screen, cruise control) or expanding its abilities as a work vehicle (such as a second sliding door, a differential lock for rear-wheel drive variants, and extra storage).
The Nissan NV400 came with electric windows, front fog lights, rear parking sensors, a radio with Bluetooth connectivity, a two-way adjustable driver’s seat, 16-inch steel wheels, electrically adjustable mirrors, and 270-degree opening rear doors. Basic safety kit included a driver’s airbag (a passenger airbag was optional) and ABS, while security features comprised an immobiliser and deadlocks.
The Nissan NV400’s dimensions are:
Length: 5048mm (L1), 5548mm (L2), 6198mm (L3), 6848mm (L4, RWD only)
Width: 2070mm (without mirrors), 2470mm (with mirrors)
Height: 2307mm (H1), 2500mm (H2), 2557mm (H2 RWD), 2749mm (H3), 2815mm (H3 RWD)
The Nissan NV400 FWD’s load capacity is:
7.8 cubic metres (L1H1 FWD)
8.6 cubic metres (L1H2 FWD)
10.3 cubic metres (L2H2 FWD)
11.7 cubic metres (L2H3 FWD)
12.5 cubic metres (L3H2 FWD)
14.1 cubic metres (L3H3 FWD)
The Nissan NV400 RWD’s load capacity is:
11.6 cubic metres (L2H3 RWD)
13.5 cubic metres (L3H3 RWD)
14.9 cubic metres (L4H2 RWD)
17.0 cubic metres (L4H3 RWD)
Like cars, vans currently have a flat rate of Vehicle Excise Duty, though this figure is a little higher than the standard rate for cars, currently sitting at £320 per year for the 2023-2024 tax year. Where relevant, this actually drops to £165 per year for heavy-duty versions.
As with performance figures, Nissan did not quote insurance group ratings for the NV400, which will vary widely depending on the variant and your circumstances as an operator or driver. We’d suggest speaking to your broker to get appropriate cover.