Carscape Team
Speaking of Nissan Caravan and Toyota Hiace, it is the same cab-over type 1BOX car with the engine mounted under the driver’s seat, and both cars are rivals such as setting a passenger model wagon and a business van. However, Hiace has a large lead in sales of new cars. In this thorough review, following the gasoline car in October 2021, we will make a minor change to the diesel car in February 2022, and we would like to verify the appeal of the caravan without the NV350 car name.
Since its debut in 2012, it has developed various body variations.
The current model Nissan Caravan appeared in June 2012 as the NV350 Caravan. There are three types of body variations: long with a total length of 4,695 mm, super long with a length of 5,080 mm (standard), and 5,230 mm (wide). There are two types of overall width, the standard width is 1,695mm and the wide width is 1,880mm. Two types of total height are available: 1,990 mm for the standard roof and 2,285 mm for the high roof.
The 4 number car has a body shape of long body x standard width x standard roof. And the number 1 is super long body x standard width x high roof and super long body x wide width x high roof, and a total of 3 types of body were set. 2WD and 4WD drive systems are available.
There are two types of floors that are important for commercial models: a low floor with a floor height of 625mm and a flat floor with a floor height of 770mm. There are 5 types of passenger capacity: 2, 3, 5, 6, and 9 people. The number of doors is 4 doors and 5 doors.
Partial improvements in 2016 have improved safety performance
At the beginning of its debut in June 2012, it had three types of engines: a 2L & 2.5L inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine and a 2.5L inline 4-cylinder diesel turbo engine. The combined transmission was a 5-speed AT.
In December 2012, a wide body was added, and in January 2016, a grade with an emergency brake was added for the first time in the 4 number van class as part of the partial improvement. Partially improved in November of the same year, major grades were equipped with “Emergency Brakes” and “VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control)” as standard equipment to improve convenience and safety.
Significantly updated design and safety equipment with minor changes in 2017
In July 2017, the NV350 Caravan underwent its first minor change. On the exterior, the “V-motion grille” that symbolizes Nissan’s design is emphasized more dynamically to express strength. In addition, the use of LEDs in the headlamps (high/low beam, with auto-levelizer) and rear combination lamps gives a bold impression and improves visibility. Further improvements in convenience include a back door auto closure that can be closed completely without making a loud noise in residential areas, late at night or early in the morning, and an LCD monitor with excellent visibility and large switches for improved operability. Air conditioner + rear cooler” is set.
“Intelligent emergency braking,” “VDC (vehicle dynamics control) [including TCS function],” and “Hill Start Assist,” which were standard only on some variations of 2WD vans, have been expanded to all vans. Also, for the first time in the 4-number van class, the Intelligent Around View Monitor (with moving object detection function) has been installed.
In November 2017, a 2.5L gasoline 4WD vehicle was added to the van, and a partial improvement in September 2020 set a new multi-bed specification.
With the second minor change, the interior and exterior are renewed again, and the AT and safety equipment are on par with passenger cars
And in October 2021, the gasoline car will undergo the second minor change. The front grille and front bumper have been revamped to give the exterior a more dynamic, powerful, and powerful design. On the other hand, the interior is based on black, creating a calm atmosphere. The meter adopts a new fine vision meter that is advanced and has greatly improved visibility and operability. The steering wheel adopts a new D-shaped steering wheel, and the texture of the seat trim has been greatly improved, such as by renovating the fabric.
The transmission combined with the 2L & 2.5L gasoline engine has been changed from the conventional 5-speed AT to a multi-speed 7-speed AT. The multi-gear system achieves both power performance and fuel efficiency, while contributing to improved quietness at high speeds. In addition, all models come standard with seats with spinal support functions to reduce driver fatigue, improving comfort.
As for driving support functions, all models come standard with the Intelligent Emergency Brake, which uses a millimeter-wave radar and camera fusion method that is not affected by the weather or ambient brightness. It is now possible to detect not only cars but also pedestrians. Also at this time, the car name was changed from NV350 Caravan to Caravan.
In February 2022, the diesel vehicle will undergo a minor change. A urea SCR system is adopted for exhaust treatment, and a new 2.5L in-line 4-cylinder diesel turbo engine that generates a maximum output of 132ps and a maximum torque of 370Nm has been changed. At the same time, by replacing the transmission with a 7-speed AT, the fuel efficiency is 13.9km/L in JC08 mode, which is 12% better than the previous model. In addition, with this minor change, we have newly set the highest grade “GRAND Premium GX” with exclusive interior and exterior specifications. On the other hand, gasoline, diesel MT vehicles, and wide body diesel vehicles have been discontinued.
The difference with Hiace is not big
The appeal of the caravan is that the interior length of the luggage compartment is 3,050mm, which is the best in its class for a 4-number light commercial vehicle. Furthermore, in order to make the most of the increased luggage space for passengers and cargo, a 50/50 split folding seat has been adopted that allows one person to sit in the rear seat even when long items are stored. It is mentioned that we are doing. Another point that cannot be overlooked is that the caravan has a super long body with a total length of 5,230mm and a standard body with a total width of 1,695mm.
The driver’s seat is equipped with a “seat with a spinal support function” that maintains a neutral posture and reduces fatigue during long drives. It can be said that there is no difference in ability between Hiace and Caravan as much as the number of new car sales, such as improvements.
You can also read : Nissan NV 200 review in Kenya
