The Nissan NV200 does not normally appear on our radar, after all this is not 'Van Enthusiast'. However, the arrival of a passenger carrying version has brought it to our attention.
People carriers are frequently described as vans with windows, a phrase that is entirely appropriate for the NV200 Combi. There is no disguising the tall, narrow proportions. Along with the commercial-vehicle styling there are useful features such as sliding side passenger doors and van-style rear doors - which should permit easier loading and unloading in confined spaces.
The basic Combi S model comes with five seats and 3,100 litres of luggage space. The SE and SE Plus have the option of an extra pair of seats behind the centre row. All models come with EBD, a CD player and trip computer; the SE adds alloy wheels, air conditioning and a reversing camera. The top Combi SE Plus version provides extra safety equipment, specifically ESP and side airbags.
All variants come with a 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine that develops 84bhp. According to Nissan this gives the NV200 a top speed of 98mph. Prospective customers are more likely to be interested in the 53.3mpg combined fuel consumption and 139g/km CO2 emissions.
Prices start at £15,685 for the five-seat Combi S while the cheapest NV200 with seven seats costs £17,359.38. All versions go on sale in February.
John Lambert - 14 Jan 2010
