Review of the Nissan Townstar

The Nissan Townstar is a small van that's taken the market by storm since its introduction in 2022. Designed to cater to businesses and professionals needing efficient cargo space, the Townstar has a smart interior and a comfortable drive. 

Rivals to the Townstar include the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, Vauxhall Combo, Renault Kangoo, Volkswagen Caddy, and Ford Transit Connect.  

Our Nissan Townstar review covers:

• Boxy exterior design 
• Spacious and well-built interior 
• Up to 4.3m3 of load volume and a payload of up to 770kg 
• 1.3-litre petrol engine 
• Three trim levels

Pros:

• Good load volume 
• Loads of safety tech available 
• Practical and spacious interior 

Cons:

• No diesel option 
• Entry-level model lacks equipment 
• Payload falls short of rivals 

In a lineup of all the small vans available, you'll certainly be able to pick out the Townstar. Unlike the Stellantis vans, the Townstar has its own unique design principles. It's the definition of a van of the future; it follows a square design with a large front grille and boxy body. 

Although the Townstar is a small van, climb inside, and you certainly don't feel it. There's plenty of room for the driver and passenger thanks to generous head and legroom. The only downside is that you can't fit three people on board unless you add the two-seat passenger bench, which costs £200. 

You also get loads of storage space, such as a large overhead tray, a storage bin under the central armrest, and plenty of cubbies dotted about. 

The Townstar comes in two configurations: L1 and L2. The former has a load length of 1,806mm, while the latter increases it to 2,230mm. The L1 model has a load volume of up to 3.3m3 and can carry up to 689kg of cargo, while the L2 increases its load volume to 4.3m3 and payload to 770kg. Compared to its rivals, the load volume is great, but it falls short of its Stellantis counterparts for payload. 

The Townstar's interior does a good job of being robust and modern. The dashboard is built using black plastics, which look good on the eye and can also handle the hustle and bustle of van life. There's no denying it's not as premium as the Ford Transit Connect, but it's more than suitable.

Sitting on top of the dash is an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system that comes with a DAB radio and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. If you want sat-nav, you'll need to upgrade to the mid-range Tekna trim. The system as a whole is okay to use, but our only qualm is that it's a bit slow compared to most modern infotainment systems. 

Three trim levels are available for the Townstar: Acenta, Tekna, and Tekna+. 

Acenta has 16-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, a black cloth interior with a blue trim and leatherette finish, automatic air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control and intelligent emergency braking. 

Tekna adds keyless entry and go, a smartphone holder, built-in sat-nav, a front and rear body-coloured bumper, and a park assist pack. 

Tekna+ adds 16-inch alloy wheels, intelligent park assist (automated parking), a 360-degree around view monitor, traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert, blind spot detection, a leather steering wheel, and a proPILOT pack. 

The Townstar comes with a 1.3-litre petrol engine, labelled the TCe 130. It comes with front-wheel drive and is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. 

Producing 129bhp and 240Nm of torque, the petrol engine is more than good enough for both around-town and motorway driving. You'll also get a decent fuel economy of between 38 - 44mpg. 

Get on the road in the Townstar, and you'll find a responsive and comfortable drive. Around town is where it's best suited, thanks to its agile handling and tight turning circle. The petrol engine provides plenty of zip off the mark, and even if you've got a full load space, there's still enough power to speedily navigate through urban streets. 

Even more, go for the Tekna+ trim, and you'll get loads of safety technology and intelligent park assist, which automates parking and is perfect for those tight urban spaces. 

Increase it to motorway speeds, and the Townstar focuses on comfort rather than performance. The suspension deals well with bumps and cracks in the road, and it certainly never feels harsh or bouncy. Although it could do with a bit more oomph on the motorway, like the Ford Transit Connect, the Townstar is more than happy to cruise along at 70mph. 

Prices for the new Nissan Townstar start from £26,490.00 OTR* or to lease from £189.12 per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the Nissan Townstar? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest van leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.