2021 NV Passenger Interior
Just because you're transporting people instead of plumbing equipment doesn't mean you get a sleeker interior design; the NV Passenger Van shares its basic dash layout with its more utilitarian sibling. What this means is that you get a very simple instrument panel layout that is angled towards the driver, and includes basic controls for the infotainment system, air conditioning, and power outlets. In base form, the NV feels spartan and is clearly aimed at those who purely need a van to transport people for short distances - but stepping into a higher spec version reveals luxuries such as leather seats. Standard interior features on the base model include air conditioning, remote keyless entry, 12-passenger rear heating and cooling vents, power windows with driver's one-touch auto-down, a tilt steering column, and a single 12-volt DC power outlet. SV models enjoy three standard 12-volt power outlets, six rear-passenger map lights, entry lighting for the driver and front passenger, as well as a multi-functional center console with file and laptop computer storage holder. Top-spec SL vehicles get luxuries such as dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a compass.
2021 NV Passenger Interior Photos
Seating and Interior Space
The most important aspect of the NV Passenger van is its seating configuration and overall seating space - why else would anyone be interested in one of these, right? What Nissan offers is a 12-person seating capacity that can be configured in an incredible 324 ways. In base form, the driver's seat is manually adjustable in four different ways, as is the front passenger seat, but step up to the SV or SL, and you get an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat with manual lumbar settings. Standard across the range is a fold-down front passenger seat with seatback tray table, as well as removable split seating (65/35 for the second and third rows, 50/50 for the fourth row). Headroom measures in at 42.8/39.6/39.8/39.6 inches in the first/second/third/fourth rows respectively, which means that even taller adults won't struggle for space. Legroom in the front is a generous 42 inches while second-row passengers have to make do with only 33.9. Third and fourth-row passengers get 38.5 inches. The only downside to the NV is that rivals offer a sardine-like 15-seat arrangement absent from the big Nissan.
2021 Nissan NV Passenger Interior Dimensions:
Nissan NV Passenger Trims | NV3500 HD S V6 | NV3500 HD SV V6 | NV3500 HD SL V8 |
---|---|---|---|
Seating | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Headroom Front Seat | 42.8 in. | 42.8 in. | 42.8 in. |
Headroom Back Seat | 39.6 in. | 39.6 in. | 39.6 in. |
Legroom Front Seat | 42 in. | 42 in. | 42 in. |
Legroom Back Seat | 33.9 in. | 33.9 in. | 33.9 in. |
Shoulder Room Front | 65.7 in. | 65.7 in. | 65.7 in. |
Shoulder Room Rear | 69.2 in. | 69.2 in. | 69.2 in. |
Hip Room, Front | 60.6 in. | 60.6 in. | 60.6 in. |
Hip Room, Rear | 70.4 in. | 70.4 in. | 70.4 in. |
Interior Colors and Materials
Nissan caters to those merely seeking a basic people carrier that will withstand years of daily abuse, all the way through to larger families who appreciate a more premium driving experience. Both S and SV models come with gray cloth seats with reinforced side bolster wear patches, which strike a good balance between cargo van durability and everyday good looks. These cloth seats are covered in a water repellant to help make clean-up easier. Carpeted flooring is only available in SV and SL model vans. Top-of-the-range SLs get a beige leather interior, including a leather-wrapped steering wheel, which adds a touch of class to the otherwise pedestrian interior. Competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van offer a more luxurious interior and a wider range of material options. Nissan has kept things simple on the inside, and while there might be a few ugly plastic trim pieces scattered around the interior, both the cloth and leather interiors feel solid and should last the life of the vehicle.
2021 NV Passenger Trunk and Cargo Space
Let's not forget that the NV Passenger van is a glitzy cargo van with seats strapped in the back, so if the need ever arises, you can ditch the seats in favor of a few dirt bikes or a second-hand jacuzzi you found on craigslist. Nissan quotes a total cargo space of 218.9 cubic feet. Still, seeing as the NV Passenger Van will spend most of its life with its passenger seats firmly in place, it would be better to note the cargo bay length measurements of 86.1 inches behind the second row, 51.7 inches behind the third row, and 18.9 inches behind the fourth row. Maximum cargo width is 64.4 inches but narrows down to 52.1 inches at the wheelhouse floor. Maximum cargo height is 51.3 inches. With all four rows of seats in place, the NV offers 28.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is more than enough space for a healthy grocery run, but get rid of them, and things start to look even more promising. The great thing about the NV Passenger Van is the fact that with over 324 seating configurations, you'll always find a good compromise between cargo space and human space.
Small items are gobbled up by a large center locking console storage bin on SV and SL models, a medium-sized glovebox, a small storage compartment in front of the shift knob as well as a driver's seat storage pocket on SV and SL models, a driver's under-seat storage bay, front door map pockets and six cupholders in the base model (SV and SL vehicles get eight).
2021 Nissan NV Passenger Trunk and Cargo Space Photos
2021 Nissan NV Passenger Trunk Size:
Nissan NV Passenger Trims | NV3500 HD S V6 | NV3500 HD SV V6 | NV3500 HD SL V8 |
---|---|---|---|
Trunk Width (Wheelhousings) | 52.1 in. | 52.1 in. | 52.1 in. |
Trunk Height (Area) | 51.3 in. | 51.3 in. | 51.3 in. |
2021 NV Passenger Infotainment and Features
Features
Nissan has logically spaced the available features on the NV Passenger Van in a way that makes it easy for new owners to select a trim level with their required level of features and get on with the important task of driving people places. In base trim, the NV doesn't offer much, but there's enough to convince you that you're driving something that was built in the last decade or so. Standard features on the base model include cruise control, a rearview camera, air conditioning, power windows with one-touch auto-down as well as remote keyless entry, power door locks with auto-locking, and a single 12-Volt power outlet. SV and SL models get additional power outlets, as well as full interior carpeting, a lockable center console storage bin, and eight cupholders. The top-of-the-line SL model gets standard dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with an integrated compass, a leather steering wheel, and an eight-way power driver's seat which it shares with the SV.
Infotainment
The seven-inch touch-screen color display on the base derivative provides access to AM/FM radio with steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, an auxiliary input jack, a single USB port, Bluetooth streaming, a hands-free text messaging assistant, and a four-speaker sound system that sounds tinny and gutless when tasked with filling the cavernous interior space with sound. SV and SL models get an additional two speakers for a grand total of six. The top two trims add several features but make do with a smaller 5.8-inch touchscreen display. On these models, you also get navigation, voice recognition, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, an old-school CD player, and another two speakers. Unfortunately, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are absent from the list of infotainment features.
The overall experience is good; the system is responsive enough in most situations, and the menus are easy to navigate. Our only complaint would be the sub-par sound system, which fails to impress with its sound delivery.