The Nissan NV - Thoughts? and Reviews?

[cortttt]

Nissan NV owners - how is this van doing for you? If you could please list mileage, MPG and reliability

It got an excellent review in Autoblog a couple of years back with some really surprising MPG figures on the highway (20mpg ???).... The few parked at Fuelly get abysmal mileage...

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I did not at all expect that MPG on the highway - do you get anything near that?[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]My concern is reliability - Nissan has not been good at reliability these past few years and MPG. I note that it is a huge van with that big nose sticking out. I actually kind of like how it looks by the way . It's got a nice rigid frame - very solid build....looks like it's thoughtfully laid out. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I could find one in my price range - so it's a possibility.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]29Chico - did you drive one of these?[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]http://www.autoblog.com/buy/2013-Nissan-...rt-review/[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The Nissan NV uses the Titan powertrain, but not the chassis. A new ladder frame was built for the NV, signaling how serious Nissan is about bringing a challenger for not only the Sprinter, but Ford and Chevy, which dominate the straight cargo van market. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The basic Nissan NV S is a steel box with water-repellent seats, hardboard trim, a fat useful center console, good audio system, wide-opening (243 degree) rear cargo doors, 57 integrated reinforced cargo mounting points, six floor-mounted D-rings, and 10 exterior roof rack mounting brackets. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The high roof grows straight up by nearly two feet, increasing the height from 84 to 106 inches, and expanding cargo space by 38 percent, from 234 cubic feet to 324. If you need to stand up inside, this is it. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]For a few days we used our NV as a tow truck/race shop/parts bin/changing room. We didn't sleep in it, but it would be easy to do so. We can't think of anything it won't do, storage or comfort-wise. Other racers commented on the versatility and utility of the design. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The 5.6-liter V8 makes 317 horsepower and 385 foot-pounds of torque at 3400 rpm. The 5-speed automatic transmission shifts sharply and in all the right places. Its 3.54 final drive ratio balances good torque on freeway hills with good fuel mileage (the V6 has a 3.36 ratio). We got 11.9 mpg running hard on the freeway, towing our load. Without the trailer it was about 16 mpg. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We set the cruise control at 62 mph on the level, and got 20 mpg. Impressive, for a big V8 with the aerodynamic exposure of the tall roof. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The 4.0-liter V6 makes 261 horsepower and 317 foot-pounds of torque. We didn't drive one, but that sounds good for the half-ton 1500 and three-quarter-ton 2500 models. But the V6 torque peaks up at 5200 rpm, so we wonder about towing. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The NV handles well. The steering is slow, unsurprisingly, but it's light for parking-lot turning. The good response on the road likely comes from the new boxed-in frame, and the rigidity it brings to the 146.1 inch wheelbase, which is 2 inches more than the Sprinter (which offers an extended model with a 170-inch wheelbase). [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The brakes are excellent, with four-wheel discs having rotors just over 14 inches. Our van wasn't equipped with a trailer brake unit, so a lot was asked of the discs, with four tons back there wanting to push the NV over a cliff. We paid attention to our driving, always thinking ahead. There was never a moment where the brakes didn't do their overtime job. [/font][/font]

[font=Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]AND[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The basic Nissan NV S comes with water-repellent seats with wear patches, a sturdy material that looks good in charcoal like ours. There's an AM/FM/CD audio system, intermittent speed-sensitive wipers, wide opening (243 degree) rear cargo doors, no less than 57 integrated reinforced cargo mounting points, six floor-mounted D-rings, and 10 exterior roof rack mounting brackets. The front passenger seat folds flat, with a tray in the seatback. The walls of the cargo van are trimmed with hardboard. [/font][/font][/font][/size][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The high roof lifts the ceiling by 22 inches and expands the cargo space by 38 percent, from 234 cubic feet to 324. There's 10 feet of cargo length behind the front seats. But it's more about whether or not you need to stand up inside, for what you plan to do with it. A six-footer can stand up in the back of the high roof NV, with 1.3 inches to spare, room for shoes. Being able to stand up is a great feature to have in the paddock. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We took our NV3500 SV high roof to the track, to an endurance race in the rain, towing our Dan Gurney for President ChumpCar Mustang. It was cold as well as wet, and our space was so comfy that half the pits tried to cram and snuggle inside the tall Nissan. A campfire on the floor would have been nice. Holding a seven-lap lead, the Mustang blew its motor with one hour to go, and the truck was a good place to lick wounds. Great four-speaker sound system, blasting to forget. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We took it to the track a second time, and it gave us more reasons to smile, serving as tow truck/race shop/parts bin/changing room. We didn't sleep in it, but it could be done easy. We can't think of anything it won't do, storage or comfort-wise. We used the giant center console like a small closet ()) and the giant grab handles at the rear doors every time. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Our NV3500 was a winner at the Portland Rose Cup, towing the legendary Bandit, the historic '82 NASCAR Oldsmobile made famous in the book, 'Fast Guys, Rich Guys and Idiots' by Sam Moses. In the Wemme Trophy vintage race, biggest in the Northwest, the NV's car finished second in a field of 47, outrun only by an expertly driven Formula Atlantic car. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Based on the admiration and compliments of other racers as to the versatility and utility of the design, we give the Most Admired Tow Rig award to our dark blue NV3500 with the chrome grille that blinds you in the sun, a dozen times a day at least, at a race. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Our NV had $1235 in options, for rear door windows with privacy glass, floor mats, and mostly the $950 nav/audio system. We used the navigation frequently with satisfaction, a tidy 5-inch touch-screen. There's also satellite radio, am/fm/cd/mp3, USB port, Bluetooth and last but for sure not least, the rearview monitor that shows the tow-hitch ball, aiming perfectly for its spot under the cap on the trailer tongue, nail it every time. It's a godsend when you're used to doing it yourself, getting in and out of the truck three or four times. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Add another $390 for side and roof-mounted airbags, and $460 for the tow package, including extendable outside chrome heated towing mirrors, two front tow hooks, tow mode transmission, Class IV hitch, 7-pin connector, brake controller, and heavy-duty battery. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]When you move up from the 1500 S to the NV 2500 S, you get standard lockable center console with 12-volt outlet, storage tray under driver's seat, two more cupholders, power mirrors, rear door storage pocket, and two more cargo lights. When you upgrade to the SV, you get hardboard interior cargo panels, 8-way power driver's seat, power door locks, and sonar system. Our rig had all these features and we appreciated them. [/font][/font][/font][/size][/font]

 

[cortttt]

Nissan NV owners - how is this van doing for you? If you could please list mileage, MPG and reliability

It got an excellent review in Autoblog a couple of years back with some really surprising MPG figures on the highway (20mpg ???).... The few parked at Fuelly get abysmal mileage...

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I did not at all expect that MPG on the highway - do you get anything near that?[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]My concern is reliability - Nissan has not been good at reliability these past few years and MPG. I note that it is a huge van with that big nose sticking out. I actually kind of like how it looks by the way . It's got a nice rigid frame - very solid build....looks like it's thoughtfully laid out. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I could find one in my price range - so it's a possibility.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]29Chico - did you drive one of these?[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]http://www.autoblog.com/buy/2013-Nissan-...rt-review/[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The Nissan NV uses the Titan powertrain, but not the chassis. A new ladder frame was built for the NV, signaling how serious Nissan is about bringing a challenger for not only the Sprinter, but Ford and Chevy, which dominate the straight cargo van market. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The basic Nissan NV S is a steel box with water-repellent seats, hardboard trim, a fat useful center console, good audio system, wide-opening (243 degree) rear cargo doors, 57 integrated reinforced cargo mounting points, six floor-mounted D-rings, and 10 exterior roof rack mounting brackets. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The high roof grows straight up by nearly two feet, increasing the height from 84 to 106 inches, and expanding cargo space by 38 percent, from 234 cubic feet to 324. If you need to stand up inside, this is it. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]For a few days we used our NV as a tow truck/race shop/parts bin/changing room. We didn't sleep in it, but it would be easy to do so. We can't think of anything it won't do, storage or comfort-wise. Other racers commented on the versatility and utility of the design. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The 5.6-liter V8 makes 317 horsepower and 385 foot-pounds of torque at 3400 rpm. The 5-speed automatic transmission shifts sharply and in all the right places. Its 3.54 final drive ratio balances good torque on freeway hills with good fuel mileage (the V6 has a 3.36 ratio). We got 11.9 mpg running hard on the freeway, towing our load. Without the trailer it was about 16 mpg. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We set the cruise control at 62 mph on the level, and got 20 mpg. Impressive, for a big V8 with the aerodynamic exposure of the tall roof. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The 4.0-liter V6 makes 261 horsepower and 317 foot-pounds of torque. We didn't drive one, but that sounds good for the half-ton 1500 and three-quarter-ton 2500 models. But the V6 torque peaks up at 5200 rpm, so we wonder about towing. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The NV handles well. The steering is slow, unsurprisingly, but it's light for parking-lot turning. The good response on the road likely comes from the new boxed-in frame, and the rigidity it brings to the 146.1 inch wheelbase, which is 2 inches more than the Sprinter (which offers an extended model with a 170-inch wheelbase). [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The brakes are excellent, with four-wheel discs having rotors just over 14 inches. Our van wasn't equipped with a trailer brake unit, so a lot was asked of the discs, with four tons back there wanting to push the NV over a cliff. We paid attention to our driving, always thinking ahead. There was never a moment where the brakes didn't do their overtime job. [/font][/font]

[font=Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]AND[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The basic Nissan NV S comes with water-repellent seats with wear patches, a sturdy material that looks good in charcoal like ours. There's an AM/FM/CD audio system, intermittent speed-sensitive wipers, wide opening (243 degree) rear cargo doors, no less than 57 integrated reinforced cargo mounting points, six floor-mounted D-rings, and 10 exterior roof rack mounting brackets. The front passenger seat folds flat, with a tray in the seatback. The walls of the cargo van are trimmed with hardboard. [/font][/font][/font][/size][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The high roof lifts the ceiling by 22 inches and expands the cargo space by 38 percent, from 234 cubic feet to 324. There's 10 feet of cargo length behind the front seats. But it's more about whether or not you need to stand up inside, for what you plan to do with it. A six-footer can stand up in the back of the high roof NV, with 1.3 inches to spare, room for shoes. Being able to stand up is a great feature to have in the paddock. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We took our NV3500 SV high roof to the track, to an endurance race in the rain, towing our Dan Gurney for President ChumpCar Mustang. It was cold as well as wet, and our space was so comfy that half the pits tried to cram and snuggle inside the tall Nissan. A campfire on the floor would have been nice. Holding a seven-lap lead, the Mustang blew its motor with one hour to go, and the truck was a good place to lick wounds. Great four-speaker sound system, blasting to forget. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We took it to the track a second time, and it gave us more reasons to smile, serving as tow truck/race shop/parts bin/changing room. We didn't sleep in it, but it could be done easy. We can't think of anything it won't do, storage or comfort-wise. We used the giant center console like a small closet ()) and the giant grab handles at the rear doors every time. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Our NV3500 was a winner at the Portland Rose Cup, towing the legendary Bandit, the historic '82 NASCAR Oldsmobile made famous in the book, 'Fast Guys, Rich Guys and Idiots' by Sam Moses. In the Wemme Trophy vintage race, biggest in the Northwest, the NV's car finished second in a field of 47, outrun only by an expertly driven Formula Atlantic car. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Based on the admiration and compliments of other racers as to the versatility and utility of the design, we give the Most Admired Tow Rig award to our dark blue NV3500 with the chrome grille that blinds you in the sun, a dozen times a day at least, at a race. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Our NV had $1235 in options, for rear door windows with privacy glass, floor mats, and mostly the $950 nav/audio system. We used the navigation frequently with satisfaction, a tidy 5-inch touch-screen. There's also satellite radio, am/fm/cd/mp3, USB port, Bluetooth and last but for sure not least, the rearview monitor that shows the tow-hitch ball, aiming perfectly for its spot under the cap on the trailer tongue, nail it every time. It's a godsend when you're used to doing it yourself, getting in and out of the truck three or four times. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Add another $390 for side and roof-mounted airbags, and $460 for the tow package, including extendable outside chrome heated towing mirrors, two front tow hooks, tow mode transmission, Class IV hitch, 7-pin connector, brake controller, and heavy-duty battery. [/font][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=small][font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]When you move up from the 1500 S to the NV 2500 S, you get standard lockable center console with 12-volt outlet, storage tray under driver's seat, two more cupholders, power mirrors, rear door storage pocket, and two more cargo lights. When you upgrade to the SV, you get hardboard interior cargo panels, 8-way power driver's seat, power door locks, and sonar system. Our rig had all these features and we appreciated them. [/font][/font][/font][/size][/font]

 

[Great White]

Nissan NV owners - how is this van doing for you? If you could please list mileage, MPG and reliability

It got an excellent review in Autoblog a couple of years back with some really surprising MPG figures on the highway (20mpg ???).... The few parked at Fuelly get abysmal mileage...

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I did not at all expect that MPG on the highway - do you get anything near that?[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]My concern is reliability - Nissan has not been good at reliability these past few years and MPG. I note that it is a huge van with that big nose sticking out. I actually kind of like how it looks by the way . It's got a nice rigid frame - very solid build....looks like it's thoughtfully laid out. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I could find one in my price range - so it's a possibility.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]29Chico - did you drive one of these?[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]http://www.autoblog.com/buy/2013-Nissan-...rt-review/[/font]

I replied to your other thread. To add to what I said in it, so far I would buy it again. The 8-9' cargo area and 6'3 ceiling height sold me. Don't like to stoop. It is a solid platform. You would have to drive one. Mine is like driving a truck on a 9 1/2' tall truck!

 

[cortttt]

I replied to your other thread. To add to what I said in it, so far I would buy it again. The 8-9' cargo area and 6'3 ceiling height sold me. Don't like to stoop. It is a solid platform. You would have to drive one. Mine is like driving a truck on a 9 1/2' tall truck!

Some good threads on gas mileage

- [font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]http://nissannvforum.com/topic/22-gas-mileage/[/font][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif] [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]- [/font][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]http://nissannvforum.com/topic/395-disap...s-mileage/[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]
People are getting vastly different MPG's - from 18-20 mpg to 12-13 mpg... probably mostly based on the type of driving they do...[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Also this thread - [/font][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]- in general pretty good MPG on the highway if driven right.[/font]

 

[Great White]

Some good threads on gas mileage

- [font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]http://nissannvforum.com/topic/22-gas-mileage/[/font][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif] [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]- [/font][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]http://nissannvforum.com/topic/395-disap...s-mileage/[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]
People are getting vastly different MPG's - from 18-20 mpg to 12-13 mpg... probably mostly based on the type of driving they do...[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Also this thread - [/font][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]- in general pretty good MPG on the highway if driven right.[/font]

You have to take into consideration the fact that people are apt to inflate numbers. I have the V8 1 ton. It weighs about 6,500 lbs. It will haul a lot so it is very beefy and built like a huge boot. Not very aerodynamic. I knew going in it would suck gas but that's okay. I had a specific use for it. On the forums people make a lot of claims. I have babied mine in town with hills. Slow starts and keeping to or below posted limits and the best I get is 8-9 with an empty van. 15 on the highway at 55-60. When someone says they are getting 20 with my rig I have to smile. The forum has a lot of debate over it. Mine seems to get what my 05 Chevy 2500HD 4X4 got, so no big deal. That's why I suggested the V6. I have a 27 gal. tank and it goes in a hurry. Some of the people on the forum have said they thought about unhooking their trailer to find gas. 200-250 miles to a tank with a heavy trailer. 300-350 empty. That is the truth. If they got 20 mpg, then you are looking at over 500 miles to a tank. Kinda suspect, if you know what I mean. Of course that is running it bone dry. I just wanted you to have an honest picture of the fuel situation. I hope this helps.

 

[Free Range Chicken]

19mpg @55mph highway.
14.4 mpg @75mph highway.
Less mpgs in city driving.
I have the v6 high roof 2012 and it is not fully converted yet, so the load is light.

I have had the van for 1.5 years , no complains !!!!!!!!!

 

[Belinda2]

I loved that it was a Nissan engine. I loved that the drivers seat would lay back flat. The back was laid out well in that the walls and corners were not rounded leading to wasted space. Very nice.
I went with a Toyota because it just was cheaper in cost per the same amount of square footage. I was happy to a get a concrete fuel rating for the Toyota, where I couldn't with the Nissan.
I chose the Toyota minivan. I had been coming from a (one year away from ) historic Toyota Camry with zero problems. The Toyota minivan was plenty of square footage upgrade to meet my full-time needs. I was afraid of daily hauling around the rest of the square footage from the Nissan NV with a questionable fuel cost.
I hope this helps.

 

[Free Range Chicken]

You can check my unfinished conversion thread, I put some conversion advantages and caveats of the nv.

 

[29chico]

There was some chatter on the web a few months back about GM supplying engines and trannys to Nissan for the full size NV. 

My guess is that a GM 4.8 L20 v8 with a 6L90e trans behind it in the NV would get at least as good mileage a the Nissan 6v while supplying more power.

 

[cortttt]

19mpg @55mph highway.
14.4 mpg @75mph highway.
Less mpgs in city driving.
I have the v6 high roof 2012 and it is not fully converted yet,  so the load is light.  

I have had the van for 1.5 years , no complains !!!!!!!!!

Nice! The 1500's with V-6's seem to do pretty well. I am going to check one out. Since the seat bollixed my Chevy Express buy I'm down to the Nissan NV and a Toyota Tundra 4WD/Tacoma 4WD with a shell. 

The Toyota's would get me further into the wild and be more maneuverable out there and, of course, have great reliability (but are a bit pricey).  I rarely need 4WD but it would be nice to have. 

The vans give me and the dogs much, much more space, more "view room" up front, a nice high seating position and with regard to the Tacoma poorer fuel economy. 

I think I would probably get similar fuel economy with a V-6 1500 NV and the Tundra....

As someone said it's all about tradeoff's. 

I think I'm going to take a V-6 NV  out and see how it goes. (I will stay out of the washes )

 

[cortttt]

I loved that it was a Nissan engine. I loved that the drivers seat would lay back flat. The back was laid out well in that the walls and corners were not rounded leading to wasted space. Very nice.
I went with a Toyota because it just was cheaper in cost per the same amount of square footage. I was happy to a get a concrete fuel rating for the Toyota, where I couldn't with the Nissan.
I chose the Toyota minivan. I had been coming from a (one year away from ) historic Toyota Camry with zero problems. The Toyota minivan was plenty of square footage upgrade to meet my full-time needs. I was afraid of daily hauling around the rest of the square footage from the Nissan NV with a questionable fuel cost.
I hope this helps.

Ya, I like that the drivers seat lies flat - that shows they were thinking. Also lots of thingies to tie things too. 

I can understand going to the Toyota; if I can find equivalence in cars I will probably end up at Toyota ever time. I think the square footage would be OK for me since I put alot outside the car with my two rear cargo bags that hang from the roof and my cargo carrier. In fact, the size would probably be perfect for me because I want more manuervability and better gas mileage. Unfortunately the minivan doesn't pass the clearance test and I don't know if it would hold up out on the dirt. 

Now if the Toyota minivan had good clearance, and they produced a cargo van, and I knew it could handle the dirt - I'd be all over it...Does anyone do 4WD  Sienna's? 

It's all tradeoffs!

 

[Day Drifter]

I like that the passenger seat folds forward and I sit on it like that, facing to the rear with my sink counter unfolded... nice desk or table set up! If this is allowed, I will put mashup of my many van build videos in next comment. If it is not allowed, then admin can delete it. I have done the entire build myself using mostly used furniture and very few tools! Later all! - Marty

 

[Day Drifter]

Here is quickly look at my NV2500:

 

[cortttt]

Here is quickly look at my NV2500:  

Look at that! Well done Day Drifter and nice video

 

[introverting]

Now if the Toyota minivan had good clearance, and they produced a cargo van, and I knew it could handle the dirt - I'd be all over it...Does anyone do 4WD  Sienna's? 

It's all tradeoffs!

Toyota does produce a cargo van.  They just don't market it here for some reason.  Don't know if the model name has changed, but when I was in Japan years ago, the model name was Hiace/HiAce.