Nissan NV400 and Interstar van (2011-2024) used car model guide

Aware that they would need to share Renault and Vauxhall underpinnings for this model, Nissan went to particular trouble to style their version differently - and sure enough, this NV400 does have a distinctive look. The styling was completed at Nissan Design Europe in Paddington and engineered by Nissan's Technical Centre in Bedfordshire, so there was a distinctly UK-based approach to the whole thing. A thick bumper adds aggression to the front end, curling up at the edges to protect the corners from knocks. There are also useful steps cut into the front bumper so that owners can get a leg-up when cleaning the windscreen. Side rubbing strips are a boon along the flanks too.
And inside? Well, the cabin isn't anything too exciting, but the stubby gear lever that sprouts from the fascia falls nicely to hand amidst the usual sea of tough and durable elephant grey plastics. There isn't quite the same kind of soft touch, granite build quality you'd find in more expensive Volkswagen or Mercedes rivals but fit and finish has certainly improved over what was provided in the previous generation Interstar and what this model lacked in tactile feel, it more than made up for in practical touches. Both seat and wheel can be height-adjustable and there's a minefield of storage options inside the cab (150 litres in total), from the usual door bins, overhead shelf, cup holders, chilled glove boxes and cubby holes to compartments for laptops and sunglasses, plus an optional clipboard that folds out of the dash for holding invoices, maps or delivery notes.
This LCV had a bigger cab than anything Nissan had previously provided in this segment, which meant that this model could provide comfortable room for three, though the centre seat passenger's space is still rather narrow with kneeroom slightly compromised by the cupholders and storage provided by the two centre-mounted bins. Since most of the time the central berth won't be occupied, you can fold it down and use it as a table, complete with cup holders.
Not quite so neat is the positioning of the grab handle you grasp on entering the cab, stuck above the door opening rather than being more naturally placed on the A-pillar. Which shouldn't detract from the fact that overall, this is a beautifully thought out cabin. Highlights include optional touches like the huge, split storage area under the passenger seats, accessible simply by flipping up the cushions. Then there's the way the centre seat backrest folds down to create a table that uniquely swivels towards the driver. And the sat nav screen that folds out of the roof, incorporates real time traffic information to guide you round jams and includes MP3 and Bluetooth compatibility.
Right, let's look at the practicalities of running this Nissan. Operators will be choosing between four body lengths - L1, the L2 model, L3 and L4: and three roof heights - H1, the H2 variant and H3. That means a wide range of cargo capacity choices - anything from 8 cu.m and 2,583mm of load space length in the base L1 H1 variant, right up to 17.0 cu.m and 4,330mm of load space length in the very biggest L4 H3 model, which can swallow up to four euro pallets. With the volume mid-range L3 H2 body shape, there's a 12.3 cu.m cargo capacity and 3,083mm of floor length. Interior cargo bay roof height varies between 1,700 and 2,144mm, depending on the roof option you've selected and whether you've gone for front or rear wheel drive. All models feature a load area width of 1,765mm - which on single rear wheel models narrows to 1,380mm between the wheel arches.
There are four 'GVW' Gross Vehicle Weight options offered to operators - 2.8, 3.3, 3.5 or 4.5 tonnes. And the possible payloads can be as much as 2,167kgs but of course that again will vary according to your choice of variant. A typical L3 H2 model can take up to 1,384kgs. As for running costs, well updates to this model's 2.3-litre dCi biturbo diesel engine in 2019 made a big difference to running costs. The 150PS version of this unit was 17% more frugal (the WLTP combined cycle fuel reading is up to 47.9mpg); and around 13% cleaner (the NEDC-rated CO2 reading is 156g/km). With, say, a L3 H3 150PS Master model, Nissan reckoned this would save an operator £303 over a four year / 80,000 mile operating period. And further savings would be accrued through the fact that with later versions of this model, servicing intervals were extended to every 25,000 - or every two years, whichever comes first.

These vans are pretty tough, but there are a few things you'll need to look out for. It's the usual advice with large vans to buy on condition rather than year and look for a vehicle that has tended to have performed lightweight delivery duties rather than consistently butting up against its payload limits. We've heard reports of gearbox faults: listen hard for whining noises on your test drive. There've been a few issues with the electrics, so make sure that all the connectivity works properly - Bluetooth-linking and so on. Check for load bay scuffs and scratches. And insist on a fully stamped-up service history.

(approx based on an Interstar 2.3 dCi 163hp - 2022)
Air filters are around £23-£41. Oil filters are around £8-£22. A fuel filter is around £30. Front brake pads are around £39-£54; rears are about £28-£50. Front brake discs cost in the £98-£150 bracket. Rear brake discs are typically in the £83-£138 bracket. Wiper blades are around £12-£16. Headlamps sit in the £197 bracket. A tail lamp sits in the £155 bracket.

As usual in a large van, you perch higher up than you would in any SUV, bearing down on other road users with purpose. This NV400/Interstar design sets you in an even loftier position than you would have been seated with the earlier generation design and this provides a commanding view ahead. Under the bonnet, the engine's the same whichever variant you choose, a direct injection four cylinder 2.3-litre dCi diesel unit, though you can choose between three engine outputs - 100, 125 or 150bhp - and select between either front or rear wheel drive.
These engines are a pretty willing bunch, even the entry-level 100bhp unit offering 285Nm of punch through the 6-speed gearbox (there's also a robotised semi-automatic transmission). That's a figure the top 150bhp variant extends to 350Nm, sufficient to haul a trailer grossing at 3.0 tonnes. That's also enough to deal with gross vehicle weights of either 2.8, 3.3, 3.5 or a whopping 4.5 tonnes, giving payload capacities than run between 1030 and 2254kg, depending on the version you choose.
On the move, though the gearbox could be slicker and the engine a little quieter, you're immediately impressed with this van's composure, both around corners and over poor surfaces. Rear wheel drive makes this vehicle especially manoeuvrable. It's true that the steering is a little on the light side for motorway work, but you appreciate that when trying to thread this large vehicle through tight city streets. Or indeed, exercising the tight turning circle, which can be as tight as 12m on entry-level versions.

It makes sense to buy a really large LCV. After all, specify one of these correctly and it could carry most of what you'd normally need a smoky full-sized lorry to shift. And even if you don't have really huge loads to carry, running cost advances in this market segment mean that it won't really cost much more to run something like this than would be required to operate a van from the next class down - something in the Volkswagen Transporter / Vauxhall Vivaro-sized sector.
However you specify it, this NV400 / Interstar model will give you a lot more carriage capacity than something like that. But then, you could say that of any large van. This one though, from new gave itself a fighting chance in this tight market segment thanks to sharp pricing, clever design and thoughtful equipment provision. The Nissan Connect by Tom Tom sat nav set-up for example, might easily sell you this vehicle all on its own. This model might not be an obvious used van choice in the segment for large models from the 2011-2024 period; but it could be a very clever one.