The need to operate within tight economic boundaries while striving to turn a profit means partnerships between manufacturers, product-sharing collaborations and shared ownerships are nothing new in the light commercial vehicle industry, and the alliance between Nissan and Renault is one of the most longstanding, having started a quarter of a century ago in 1999.
When it comes to vans, Nissan follows where its French partner leads, with all its vans now based on Renault platforms. There have been compromises along the way: Nissan’s popular and critically acclaimed compact van, the NV200, was replaced in 2022 by the Townstar, which is a rebadged version of Renault’s Kangoo, for example.
When it comes to medium and large-sized vans, the journey has been more straightforward and Nissan looks to be making a safe bet in basing its new Interstar large van on Renault’s accomplished Master, which has been crowned the International Van of the Year for 2025.
Design and interior
Apart from the Interstar sporting an even more imposing front grille than its Renault counterpart, both vans are identical under the skin and if it wasn’t for the brand logo in the centre of the steering wheel, you’d struggle to know which one you were in once perched in the driving seat.
Taking cues from HGV interiors, the Interstar’s cabin is designed to be driver focused. The steering wheel is more vertical than on Nissan’s previous large van, the NV400, and the dashboard now features a 10.1in touchscreen angled towards the driver.
The big, chunky cup holders located at either end of the dashboard double up as grab handles to help you get into the cab and ample storage space includes large overhead shelves, 10 open storage areas plus another three closed compartments. The central seatback folds down into a work surface and there is also a large underseat storage box, useful for keeping valuable equipment hidden from view. All in all, Nissan claims the cabin contains 135 litres of storage provision.
Powertrain options
Nissan is to offer the Interstar in diesel and electric modes but, unlike Renault, has no plans make its large van available in a hydrogen version.
According to Christophe De Beaumont, head of LCV and corporate for Nissan Europe, 93% of large vans across Europe are still diesel powered, and Nissan is offering the Interstar with a 2.0-litre single variable turbo engine with outputs of 105, 130, 150 and 170hp. Torque ranges from 330Nm to 380Nm and WLTP fuel consumption starts from 37.8mpg. The same diesel engine serves the Master but Renault is not marketing the 105hp unit in the UK. The diesel-powered Interstar will be priced from £32,390, excluding VAT, when it precedes the electric version to the UK in January 2025.
Going forward, however, the emphasis will inevitably shift to the electric Interstar.
Both BEV and diesel versions are initially available in front-wheel drive only with gross vehicle weights (GVW) of 3.5t and 4.0t. Nissan says the aerodynamic innovations, which have delivered a claimed 20% improvement over its previous large van, have enabled it to use lighter weight batteries in the electric van than its competitors, therefore maximising payload and negating the need to go to a 4.25t GVW.
Nissan is offering the Interstar-e with a pair of electric motors, at 129hp (96kW) and 143hp (105kW), both with up to 300Nm of torque, and two batteries of 40kWh and 87kWh, enabling claimed respective ranges of 200km (124 miles) and 460km (286 miles), which is significantly longer than the 197 mile range of the Ford E-Transit, for example.
Nissan says the smaller battery is ideal for urban-based businesses but that vans with the more versatile 87kWh battery will be the biggest sellers. With a maximum DC charging speed of 130kW, the 87kWh battery delivers up to 157 miles of range in 30 minutes.
Also available with a standard 11kW AC charger for both battery options, or an optional 22kW AC charger for the 87kWh battery, Nissan says the Interstar-e is ideal for companies recharging at their depots, charging from 10% to 100% in under four hours.
Loading and safety
The Interstar-e is available with two roof heights, H2 and H3, and two lengths, L2 and L3, with load volumes spanning from 10.8m3 to 14.8m3. Maximum payloads are impressive: up to 1,125kg for the 3.5t van and 1,625kg for the 4.0t derivative. In addition, both models allow a useful towing capacity of 2,000kg.
Nissan says the Intersar-e is equipped with 20 driver assistance systems to protect occupants, pedestrians and other road users. These include lateral stability control, forward emergency braking and trailer stability assist systems. It also comes with intelligent speed assist to help the driver stay within the speed limit. Euro Ncap gave the van its top Platinum safety rating. A notable absence, however, is adaptive cruise control, which the manufacturer insists it will add soon after launch.
Driven here is the L2H2 (medium length low roof) Interstar-e with the 87kWh battery and 105kW (143hp) electric motor.
The 10.8m3 load bed is accessed via twin rear doors and a nearside sliding door, which is 40mm wider than on the previous model. In addition, the load length has been stretched by 100mm. An adaptor in the load bed allows the battery to power tools on work sites. The rear doors swing open to 270º but we found them difficult to fix in place with the stays provided, which could present a hazard on windy days.
On the road
Our van had a 400kg weight in the back, which no doubt reduced the bounciness that inevitably comes with an empty load bed. Ride quality was smooth and performance impressive on open roads, while a turning circle that Nissan says has been reduced by 1.5m to 12.8m helps manoeuvrability in urban settings, as does the new electrically-assisted steering that is much lighter and faster than the mechanical systems of old. It contributes to sharp handling and a more relaxing drive. More forgiving suspension means you arrive at your destination after a long drive feeling ready for action. Wind and road noise is well suppressed, enhancing the comfortable, relaxed in-cab experience.
The steering wheel is adjustable for rake and reach and features mounted controls, including a stalk to switch between the regenerative braking modes. Compared to some brands’ multi-mode systems, such as the one Mercedes employs on its eSprinter, for example, it is a relief to find just two straightforward but effective levels of regeneration, D and B, to choose between. Retardation in B mode is not uncomfortably harsh, but strong enough to enable one-pedal driving in most conditions. Nissan says its one-box braking system provides an additional braking boost and responds quickly to aid active safety, as well as turning the kinetic energy from deceleration into electric power to charge the battery and extend range. The system is said to harvest up to 95kW of energy this way. All-round sensors and a rear reversing camera further boost peace of mind for the driver.
Sticking to the ‘keep it simple’ theme, there are just two driving modes to choose between, Normal and Eco. The latter takes away 30% of the available power but does not affect climate control. It is the one to select to save energy when not carrying a heavy load or towing a trailer.
Nissan promises a wide range of body styles will be up for grabs from third party converters to complement more mainstream factory-fitted options, such as tippers, dropsides and box vans.
There is very little to choose between the Interstar-e and its Master E-Tech donor model but some customers may prefer Nissan’s five-year, 100,000 mile warranty over the three-year, unlimited mileage deal Renault offers.
| Model | Nissan Interstar-e H2L2 143hp |
| Price (ex VAT, inc PIVG) | £40,500 (est.) |
| Price range (ex VAT, inc PIVG) | £37,500 – £41,250 (est.) |
| Warranty | 5yrs/100,000mls (battery 8yrs/100,000mls) |
| Service intervals | 1yr/12,000mls |
| Load length | 3,225mm |
| Load width (min/max) | 1,380mm/1,537mm |
| Load bay height | 1,885mm |
| Gross payload | 1,625kg |
| Load volume | 10.8m3 |
| Engine size/power | 143hp electric motor |
| Range | 285 miles |
| CO2 | 0g/km |
| On sale | March 2025 |
| Key rival | Citroen E-Relay |
| Verdict | The all-round strength of the Interstar-e looks set to establish Nissan as a force to be reckoned with in the large electric van segment. |
| Score | 8/10 |
