Nissan Townstar Panel Van (2022 - ) review

In common with most small vans, the Townstar is offered in two lengths – designated L1 and L2 – and there’s a crew van option for the longer model. Maximum load lengths are 1810mm and 2230mm respectively, although there’s no option for the cheeky extra capacity offered by a load-through bulkhead, because Nissan is not providing the facility on right-hand-drive vans. This could potentially lose the Townstar some friends as it leaves the user having to resort to an external roof rack exposing the items to the weather and making them less secure. L1 Townstar has the capacity for two Europallets in the back, and the side loading door on the L2 model is wide enough to allow a pallet through. Loadspace volumes are 3.3cu/m and 4.3cu/m, on the L1 and L2 respectively, and the payload available on the petrol-powered van varies between 700kg and 845kg, with the Townstar EV offering 465kg to 777kg. There are some big variances here, explained by the fact that the GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) of the L2 is higher than its shorter sibling. While falling short of the payload offered by some rivals, particularly the Citroen Berlingo and its relatives, the capacity should be sufficient for many operators. The van comes with twin side loading doors complementing the asymmetric twin rear doors, and the load area has a plastic covering. Overall, there’s not a lot here to make a fuss about – for a small van these are acceptable payloads and accessibility is exactly what you’d expect. But you’ll be hard pushed to find many users that won’t see those payloads as smaller than those offered by competitors, and maybe discount the Townstar based on that. I always stress this point, human nature is to want more than is required, but the reality is that many users won’t ever need as much payload as they think they will, so the Townstar (in any guise) should suit the majority. I would implore anyone to drive one to experience the excellent overall experience the Townstar offers before opting for something else.

More closely aligned to the design and style you’d expect to see in a passenger car rather than a van, the cab interior has a classy air to it with a dash that is sharp and modern. All models have a centrally mounted 8-inch (10-inch on the electric versions) colour touchscreen, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and the driver's instrument display is the same electronic one as you’ll find on Townstar EV. Cab storage is not bad with the designers having made a good job of using the available space. You’ll get a litre bottle in the door bins, and the centre console and overhead storage tray are of a decent size. There’s also a lidded area on the dash directly in front of the driver. A single passenger seat is standard with a bench seat providing ‘snug’ accommodation for two people being an option – although prepare yourselves for rubbing knees and accidental knee fondling. The seats are comfortable, and the materials used (in general) seem to be of a high, durable quality. I’ve recently had loans of the Renault Kangoo, Mercedes-Benz Citan and Nissan Townstar, and found very little to choose between them. This line of small vans is a benchmark for good cabin design, each one making excellent use of the space available. While each brand has made its own aesthetic changes to match its vehicle lines, each one has made the smart choice to keep the space, and utilisation of that space, intact.

In what some might still consider to be a brave move, Nissan has elected to market the Townstar with a choice of a 1.3-litre petrol engine producing 131PS, or a fully electric drivetrain providing 121hp. And there’s no diesel option, which isn’t a deal breaker, but an odd choice in the light commercial vehicle sector when you consider that diesel is still regarded as THE fuel choice here. The petrol van has an official fuel consumption figure of around 41mpg, considerably lower than the 50+ figures that users of a diesel van may have come to expect. The Townstar EV will be a better proposition for those where a zero-emission van could work in their operation, offering an official range of 183 miles (although cold weather, inefficient driving and heavy loads will see that range drop). Service intervals are 2 years or 18,000 miles for the petrol van, the electric Townstar being allowed to travel 24,000 miles or for two years before a scheduled visit to a dealer. Nissan also offers a class-leading warranty of 5 years or 100,000 miles, and the battery is guaranteed to retain over 70% of its design capacity for 8 years or 100,000 miles. And it’s that warranty length that is Nissan’s ace up its sleeve – real peace of mind comes from knowing that those who made the vehicle believe in the longevity of its components. Five years is a massive vote of confidence from the manufacturer, and if you’re looking to acquire one on a three-year lease, for example, the warranty will outlast your time with the vehicle by a long stretch.

The Townstar is a relatively new van so there’s little evidence of its reliability or lack thereof. But given that it shares the platform with Renault (and Mercedes-Benz), which has a reputation for building some very dependable vehicles, there’s no reason to suspect that the van will incur much in the way of unscheduled downtime. Clearly that’s me getting my crystal ball out and making a call early in the van’s life, all I can go on is Renault’s ability to make good vans and Nissan’s ability to take a shared platform and make it its own.

On paper, this van should zip along very nicely with either petrol or electricity providing the fuel. Although acceleration times are not quoted by Nissan for the petrol van, there’s no doubt that 131PS in a light van will be more than adequate, and this theory is pretty much confirmed by a top speed of 114mph. The Townstar EV will crack the zero to 60mph sprint in 14 seconds (15 for the L2) with a maximum speed of 84mph. Having driven both the petrol and electric versions of the Townstar, I can attest to the nippiness of both versions – the immediate response of the electric version is particularly exhilarating and should be experienced by everyone at least once.

The Townstar is based on the same platform as the Nissan Qashqai, so it’s little surprise that the van drives incredibly well for a commercial vehicle. The steering is positive, providing an excellent level of feedback to the driver, and the ride is smooth. Unladen vans tend to bounce over bumps and speed humps, but this isn’t evident in the Nissan – it’s a surprisingly sturdy drive for a van of its size and I appreciated how in control I felt at all times, even with the light steering. The van handles well and those drivers that enjoy driving in a bit of a ‘spirited’ fashion won't be disappointed – just bear in mind that on the electric version the faster you drive the quicker the range will drop.

Gaining an impressive 4 out of a possible 5 stars in the Euro NCAP crash test, the Townstar is an inherently well-built and safe van. But crash testing isn’t everything, and with an emphasis on avoiding accidents altogether, Nissan has blessed the van with several features (some optional) that will make the van safer for the driver, passengers, other road users and pedestrians. Features include Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist and Departure Warning, and Blind Spot Warning and Intervention – some of these are being marketed under the ‘ProPILOT Assist’ marketing banner so keep an eye out for that when you’re looking at the brochures.

The Townstar is offered at three trim points with entry level Acenta being well equipped as standard, including that multimedia screen, climate control, cruise control and an electronic parking brake. There are fully electric door mirrors, reverse parking sensors, LED lighting in the load area and automatic wipers and lights. Next up, Tekna adds navigation to the touchscreen, front and side parking sensors and a reversing camera and the exterior boasts body-coloured items to enhance the exterior. Top of the range Tekna+ includes much of the previously mentioned safety tech and a leather steering wheel. I’ve always been a firm believer that commercial vehicles should start at the lower trims with a good spec and build on it (and there are plenty that do). I can’t understand the policy of hiding key tech behind trim level pay walls – even for something as simple as making LED bulbs in the loadspace a paid-for option. Nissan’s choice to split the spec into three easy trims that start from a well-specified base is very easy to appreciate in today’s marketplace.

Anyone looking at the Townstar will almost certainly also be considering its platform sharing rivals, the Mercedes-Benz Citan and Renault Kangoo, alongside the multiple offerings from the Stellantis group, such as the Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo. The Townstar excels in the level of equipment offered at even the basic trim point and performs admirably on the road. Perhaps the single biggest selling point over the Citan and Kangoo is the 5-year warranty, which might just be enough to sway the undecided buyer. As previously stated, that long warranty will outlast the length of a three-year lease term by a long stretch, making acquiring the vehicle a source of excellent peace of mind and more affordable. Not everything is rosy though, the lack of a diesel engine in these times when some are still unsure if an electric van is viable for them will no doubt cost Nissan sales – the expectation being that the petrol-powered van will not sell in huge numbers. Payloads, particularly those offered on the petrol version, are not class leading and are rightly an important factor for some. But with that measured criticism covered, overall, the Townstar is an excellent, safe, well-built, competent van with a satisfyingly long warranty. It’s also incredibly fun to drive; not something you can say about every small van available right now. I anticipate that this van, and its platform-sharing stablemates, will find its audience among those looking for a small van that offers up way more practicality than its price tag would suggest.