Nissan Townstar

Nissan Townstar: The Ultimate Small Van for 2023

The Nissan Townstar has emerged as a game-changer in the small van market for 2023. This versatile vehicle offers a perfect blend of practicality, performance, and cutting-edge technology, making it an ideal choice for businesses and individuals alike. With its compact size and impressive payload capacity, the Nissan Townstar is designed to meet the diverse needs of modern drivers in urban and suburban environments.

Featuring a range of powertrain options, including electric and petrol variants, the Nissan Townstar caters to different preferences and requirements. The Nissan Townstar EV, in particular, stands out as an environmentally friendly option for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. From its spacious interior and advanced safety features to its competitive pricing and low running costs, the Nissan Townstar has a lot to offer. This review will delve into the key aspects that make the Nissan Townstar the ultimate small van for 2023, exploring its design, technology, and overall value proposition.

Versatile Design and Practicality

The Nissan Townstar stands out in the small van market with its versatile design and practical features, making it an ideal choice for businesses and individuals alike. This section explores the van's compact yet spacious interior, multiple body styles and configurations, and innovative storage solutions.

Compact yet spacious interior

Despite its city-friendly dimensions, the Nissan Townstar offers a surprisingly spacious interior. The cabin is designed with practicality in mind, featuring robust plastics that can withstand the rigours of daily use. The dashboard includes a deep glovebox, a recessed tray, and a small cubby with charging ports, providing ample storage options for the driver's essentials.

The van's interior also boasts a big overhead storage tray, a well-sized centre console, and a handy lidded storage box above the instrument binnacle, perfect for securing valuables. The door bins are designed to accommodate litre-sized water bottles, ensuring that refreshments are always within reach.

Multiple body styles and configurations

The Nissan Townstar is available in various body styles and configurations to suit different needs:

1. Short wheelbase (L1) van: Offers 3.3 cubic metres of cargo space
2. Long wheelbase (L2) van: Provides 4.3 cubic metres of cargo space
3. Long wheelbase (L2) crew van: Seats up to five people with 2.1 cubic metres of cargo space

The L1 model has a load length of 1,806mm, while the L2 extends to 2,230mm. Even the shorter L1 version can accommodate a pair of Europallets. The L2 models feature wider sliding side doors (831mm compared to 615mm on the L1), allowing for easier loading of a Europallet.

Innovative storage solutions

The Nissan Townstar offers a range of innovative storage solutions to maximise its practicality:

1. Modular van racking: Flexible and lightweight storage options, including shelving units and lockable cabinets
2. Raised floors with under-floor drawers: Utilises otherwise unused space for additional storage
3. Folding shelves: Lightweight and strong, these can be stowed away when floor space is needed
4. Internal ladder holders: Secure ladder storage on the interior roof, freeing up cargo area
5. Broom holders: Efficient storage for long-handled tools on the interior roof
6. Wheel arch lockers: Maximise available storage by using space over the wheel arches

These storage solutions allow users to take advantage of every area in the van, creating an ergonomic and professional mobile work environment.

The Nissan Townstar's versatile design and practical features make it an excellent choice for those seeking a small van that doesn't compromise on functionality. With its range of body styles, configurations, and innovative storage solutions, the Townstar adapts to various business needs while maintaining its compact, city-friendly size.

Advanced Powertrain Options

The Nissan Townstar offers a choice of two advanced powertrain options, catering to different needs and preferences. Whether one opts for the efficient petrol engine or the all-electric drivetrain, the Townstar delivers impressive performance and economy.

Efficient petrol engine

The Nissan Townstar features a refined 1.3-litre TCe petrol engine that complies with the latest Euro 6d-Full emissions regulations. This powerplant delivers 130 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque, striking a balance between power and efficiency. The engine incorporates ECO mode technology to optimise fuel economy, achieving 38-44 mpg on the WLTP combined cycle. With CO2 emissions ranging from 154 to 171 g/km, it offers a cleaner alternative to traditional diesel engines without compromising on performance.

All-electric drivetrain with impressive range

The Nissan Townstar EV represents the future of small vans with its all-electric powertrain. It features a 45 kWh lithium-ion battery connected to a 122 hp electric motor, producing up to 245 Nm of torque. This configuration provides an impressive WLTP combined range of up to 183 miles, outperforming many of its rivals in the segment.

For urban-focused businesses, the Townstar EV offers even greater potential, with Nissan claiming a range of up to 269 miles in city driving conditions. This extended range ensures that the van can handle even the longest working days without the need for recharging.

The real-world range estimation for the Townstar EV varies between 155 and 335 km, depending on driving conditions:

• City - Cold Weather: 230 km
• Highway - Cold Weather: 155 km
• Combined - Cold Weather: 190 km
• City - Mild Weather: 335 km
• Highway - Mild Weather: 200 km
• Combined - Mild Weather: 255 km

Charging capabilities and infrastructure

The Nissan Townstar EV offers flexible charging options to suit various needs:

1. Standard charging: The base model supports up to 11 kW AC charging, allowing a full recharge in less than four hours using a compatible wallbox or public charging point.
2. Fast charging: From the Acenta grade upwards, the Townstar boasts 22 kW AC charging capability, reducing the full recharge time to just 2 hours.
3. Rapid charging: 80 kW DC rapid charging is supported, enabling a 0 to 80% top-up in just 39 minutes.

Nissan provides a range of home AC chargers suitable for various settings, both indoors and outdoors. The van's touchscreen display allows drivers to locate and philtre nearby public charging stations, making it easy to plan journeys and recharge on the go.

With its zero tailpipe emissions while driving, the Townstar EV grants access to all areas of the city, making it an ideal choice for businesses operating in urban environments. The growing rapid charging network across the UK ensures that drivers will never be short of places to charge, providing peace of mind for longer journeys.

Cutting-Edge Technology and Safety Features

The Nissan Townstar sets a new standard in the compact van segment with its advanced technology and safety features, typically associated with passenger vehicles. These cutting-edge systems enhance the driving experience, improve safety, and provide seamless connectivity for users.

Nissan's ProPILOT driver assistance

The flagship Tekna+ model of the Nissan Townstar EV comes equipped with Nissan's semi-autonomous ProPILOT Assist system. This advanced driver assistance technology combines intelligent adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist to reduce driver fatigue on motorways. ProPILOT Assist can automatically follow the vehicle ahead at a preset distance and keep the van centred in its lane, even around gentle curves. In heavy traffic, it can bring the vehicle to a full stop and resume motion when traffic flows again.

It's important to note that ProPILOT Assist is designed for "Eyes on/Hands On" use on highways only and cannot prevent collisions. The system supports traffic sign recognition, though drivers should remain alert and obey all traffic laws.

Infotainment and connectivity options

The Nissan Townstar boasts an impressive infotainment system that integrates seamlessly with modern connectivity features. The 8.0-inch touchscreen unit, standard from the Acenta grade upwards, offers a sharp display that responds quickly and remains easily readable in bright sunlight.

Key features of the infotainment system include:

1. Built-in satellite navigation
2. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
3. NissanConnect Services app integration
4. Access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play

The NissanConnect Services app allows users to remotely access various vehicle functions, such as climate control activation and battery charge level monitoring for the electric version. It also enables route planning with navigation, which can be synced with the vehicle before departure.

For added convenience, users can manage their NissanConnect Services packages through the Nissan Store, offering full transparency and flexibility in subscription options.

Advanced safety systems

The Nissan Townstar has received a four-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, demonstrating its commitment to occupant protection. The van offers a range of advanced safety systems, with features varying across different trim levels:

1. Entry-level Visia: Tyre pressure monitoring system, hill hold assist, driver airbag, and LED headlights
2. Acenta: Adds cruise control, rear parking sensors, and autonomous emergency braking
3. Tekna+: Includes lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, all-round parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring

The Tekna+ variant also features a self-parking system and a 360-degree camera, although these systems may have some limitations in certain conditions.

One of the standout safety features is the Blind Spot Warning system, which alerts drivers to vehicles in their blind spots. If the driver doesn't respond to the warning, Blind Spot Intervention can apply slight braking force to help return the van to its original lane.

The Townstar also includes an Intelligent Forward Collision Warning system, which monitors up to one vehicle ahead and provides audible and visual warnings if it detects sudden deceleration, helping to prevent or reduce the impact of potential collisions.

These advanced technology and safety features make the Nissan Townstar a compelling choice for businesses and individuals seeking a modern, well-equipped compact van that prioritises driver assistance, connectivity, and safety.

Cost-Effective Ownership Experience

The Nissan Townstar offers a compelling ownership experience, combining competitive pricing with low running costs and comprehensive support.

Competitive pricing and running costs

The Nissan Townstar presents an attractive proposition for businesses seeking a cost-effective small van. The entry-level Townstar Visia model is priced from £32,445, excluding VAT and the government's £2,500 plug-in van grant (PiVG). This competitive pricing positions it favourably against rivals, with the Townstar being approximately £1,100 cheaper than the entry-level Peugeot e-Partner and £300 less than the most basic Citroen e-Berlingo.

Running costs for the Townstar are notably economical. The 1.3-litre petrol engine achieves 38-44mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, with CO2 emissions ranging from 154-171g/km. This efficiency eliminates the need for a diesel option, which is becoming less prevalent in the small van market.

The all-electric Townstar EV offers even greater cost savings in operation. With an impressive WLTP combined range of up to 183 miles, it outperforms many rivals by approximately 20 miles. In urban environments, Nissan claims the electric Townstar can travel up to 269 miles on a single charge, significantly reducing fuel costs for businesses operating primarily in city settings.

Warranty and after-sales support

Nissan provides robust warranty coverage for the Townstar, enhancing its value proposition. All Townstar models come with a five-year/100,000-mile warranty, surpassing the industry standard and offering two years and 40,000 miles more coverage than competitors like the Peugeot e-Partner and Citroen e-Berlingo. For the Townstar EV, Nissan extends the battery warranty to eight years, providing additional peace of mind for electric vehicle adopters.

The warranty can be further extended for a longer period or specific mileage, allowing owners to tailor coverage to their needs. To maintain warranty validity, Nissan recommends following their maintenance and servicing advice at recommended intervals.

After-sales support is comprehensive, with Nissan offering 24/7 assistance across Europe. The company's dealer network is equipped with experienced professionals to handle any issues promptly, minimising vehicle downtime. For commercial vehicles, specialist Van Centres within the dealer network provide dedicated support.

Fleet and business solutions

Nissan offers a range of solutions tailored to fleet and business customers. The company provides competitive contract hire offers with various profiles, enabling businesses to choose the most suitable deal for their needs. This flexibility in financing options helps companies manage their cash flow effectively.

For businesses looking to manage maintenance costs, Nissan offers Service Plans that cover 2, 3, or 4 services. These plans allow for fixed, manageable monthly instalments or a single upfront payment, providing convenience and predictability in budgeting for vehicle maintenance.

The Townstar EV presents additional benefits for businesses. With running costs that are a fraction of those for equivalent combustion engine vehicles, it offers significant long-term savings. Moreover, businesses can take advantage of government incentives, potentially saving up to £12,000 when purchasing the all-electric Townstar EV through schemes like the TFL Scrappage Scheme and the Government-funded Plug-in Grant.

Conclusion

The Nissan Townstar has proven itself as a standout contender in the small van market for 2023. Its versatile design, advanced powertrain options, and cutting-edge technology make it a top choice for businesses and individuals alike. The van's spacious interior, despite its compact size, along with its range of body styles and innovative storage solutions, showcase its practicality and adaptability to various needs.

What's more, the Townstar's competitive pricing and low running costs contribute to a cost-effective ownership experience. With its impressive warranty coverage and comprehensive after-sales support, Nissan has demonstrated its commitment to customer satisfaction. Whether opting for the efficient petrol engine or the all-electric drivetrain, the Townstar offers a blend of performance, economy, and environmental consciousness that's hard to beat in today's market.

FAQs

How much does a Nissan Townstar van cost?

The starting price for the Nissan Townstar in its petrol version is just over £20,000, excluding VAT. The base model of the Townstar EV begins at nearly £32,500, also excluding VAT.

What is the driving range of the Nissan Townstar EV?

Equipped with a 45kWh battery, the Nissan Townstar EV boasts a WLTP-certified range of 183 miles. This range slightly exceeds that of the Peugeot e-Partner and Citroen e-Berlingo, which offer 171 miles despite having larger 50kWh batteries.

Is the Nissan Townstar manufactured by Renault?

The Nissan Townstar is a product of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, unlike the NV200 which was closely linked to the Nissan Leaf. It shares most of its characteristics with the new Renault Kangoo and Mercedes Citan, which is beneficial for Nissan.

What vehicles are comparable to the Nissan Townstar?

The Renault Kangoo is essentially identical to the Nissan Townstar, and the Mercedes Citan is also closely related, albeit with some distinctions.