2018 Nissan NV Passenger Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byPeter Gareffa
Staff Writer
Peter digs deep to help provide shoppers with the information they need to make wise car-buying decisions and keep informed about the auto industry.
Pros
- Simple model and options structure
- Multiple seating configurations
- Easy-to-use cabin controls
- Feels solid and easy to drive on the road
Cons
- No 15-passenger option like some rivals
- Not as fuel-efficient as others in the class
- Hard plastic on armrest areas
Whatâs new
For the 2018 model year, all Nissan NV Cargo models come equipped with a standard rearview camera, a 5-inch color display, Bluetooth and a USB port. In addition, the previous Power package is now standard on the base S model.
Vehicle overview
The 2018 Nissan NV Passenger is a heavy-duty van that offers the choice of a V6 or a V8 engine and highly configurable seats. It's a good option for commercial users who need a flexible shuttle vehicle.
Although the NV Passenger is obviously meant for people transport, underneath it's still a rugged, full-size van with many of the capabilities that buyers demand from this type of vehicle. With the standard V6 engine, payload capacity is up to 2,800 pounds and towing capacity tops out at 6,200 pounds. Specify the V8 and you'll get up to 8,700 pounds in towing ability.
The NV comes with some downsides, such as subpar fuel economy and no option for a 15-passenger configuration. But if you're in the market for a large van that can do double duty carrying a sports team or a load of cargo, the 2018 Nissan NV Passenger is definitely worth a look.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
The 2018 Nissan NV Passenger is offered only in heavy-duty 3500 capacity, making it well-suited for buyers who need to carry up to 12 passengers, a lot of cargo, or both. The optional V8 engine provides additional power for those who want it.
Trim tested
Edmunds has only limited experience with the Nissan NV. The following is our first take on what's significant about it and what you can expect.
Driving
There's no confusing the Nissan NV Passenger for anything other than a giant van. The V6 engine produces satisfying enough performance, even with cargo on board. The V8 is even better.
Comfort
The ride quality on the NV Passenger is decent whether the van is unloaded or full, and noise levels within the cabin are surprisingly low at freeway speeds. The seats were designed with daylong road trips in mind, and there's excellent legroom up front thanks to the forward engine placement.
Interior
The Nissan NV's interior is highly functional, with little nooks and crannies to store stuff, including a handy pull-out drawer under the driver's seat. The gauges and controls are straightforward and easy to use. Just keep in mind it's a utilitarian cabin with minimal luxury touches to be found.
Utility
There's 28.9 cubic feet of cargo room behind the NV Passenger's fourth row. But if you need to haul a bunch of cargo, you can remove seats to open up 218.9 cubic feet of space. In addition to the sliding side door, access to the cargo area is aided by rear doors that swing open 243 degrees.
Technology
Standard equipment for the NV Cargo includes a rearview camera, a 5-inch color display, Bluetooth, a USB port, and a two-speaker stereo with a CD player. And the available Navigation package adds a nav system, a 5.8-inch touchscreen, NissanConnect mobile apps, voice recognition and satellite radio.
Which NV Passenger does Edmunds recommend?
The 2018 Nissan NV Passenger in base S trim, although not totally bare-bones, is still fairly basic and will likely prove a bit under-equipped for most buyers. We'd suggest moving up at least one level to the SV trim for its extra comfort and additional useful features. And for those who anticipate hauling a full load of people or cargo, we recommend opting for the more powerful V8 engine.
2018 Nissan NV Passenger models
The 2018 Nissan NV Passenger is a full-size van with seating for up to 12 passengers. It is offered in three trim levels, S, SV and SL, with a choice of two engines. The base engine is a 4.0-liter V6 (261 horsepower, 281 pound-feet of torque) paired with a five-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. A 5.6-liter V8 (375 hp, 387 lb-ft) is available as an option on the S and SV trims, standard for the SL, and comes with a seven-speed automatic transmission.