Nissan Reveals 2012 NV3500 HD Passenger Van; It Carries Up to 12 in Slightly Less Heinous Style

So remember the NV commercial van Nissan released last year? Of course you do, because it’s awesome (you can read our review of an NV2500 here, and a post about its platform and potential future here). Nissan has just unveiled a new passenger version of the burliest model, the NV3500 HD, and the people-carrier exchanges the cargo van’s metal body-side panels and bare cargo area for giant windows and seats. Lots of seats. If the windowless NV was Nissan’s shot across the bow of trade-fleet mainstays such as the Ford E-series and Chevrolet Express, the passenger version is the automaker’s attempt to shoulder its way into the hotel- and airport-shuttle arena.

The windows make the passenger NV much less awkward to behold than slab-sided commercial versions. (The low roof helps, too, although the taller cap would have made more sense for ingress and egress.) The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter still seems sexy in comparison, but at least the gap has narrowed. Functionally, this new Nissan boasts four rows of seats and can transport up to 12 people, including the driver. Nissan claims there are 324 possible configurations for the chairs, and the second and third rows are adjustable or can be removed entirely. The non-adjustable fourth row features a 50/50 split—rows two and three split 65/35—and each half can be individually removed. A full suite of options is available to make life in any row more pleasant, including a rear HVAC system, reading lamps for all rows, an additional 12-volt power outlet located in the third row, and two 120-volt AC power outlets. For the driver, Nissan offers the same navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, and back-up camera that can be had in the NV commercial models.

Mechanically, this model shares all of its underpinnings with the NV commercial van. It’s powered by either a 261-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 or a burly 317-hp, 5.6-liter V-8 (the NV3500 HD cargo van is V-8–only). Both engines route output to the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. The passenger NV’s two lowest trim levels are also available on the commercial version, including a base S model and the step-up SV. The people-toting NV adds a range-topping SL spec, however, which carries most of the NV’s available options as standard kit and is available only with the V-8 engine. Nissan hasn’t released pricing, but the lowest-priced cargo model (an NV1500 with the V-6) starts at $25,930, so expect a premium for the additional seats, chassis spec, and safety equipment. The NV passenger van will hit dealerships this coming spring.

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