The NV350 Urvan is perfect for long trips around Cebu’s scenic routes. (CDN PHOTO/ Brian J. Ochoa)
Competition in the commercial/passenger van segment is about to heat up with the arrival of the all-new Nissan NV350 Urvan.
Units of the fifth-generation Urvan, which will come in 15-seater, 18-seater and three-seater cargo configurations, started to arrive here last month and is expected to be seen plying Cebu’s streets pretty soon.
The NV350Urvan will compete directly with current segment leader Toyota, particularly the Hiace Commuter.
The Nissan van may look similar to its Toyota counterpart but closer examination will reveal distinct exterior features that make it stand out.
First, Nissan removed the side roof drip channel to give it a more aerodynamic shape, not at all angular like its rival. There are also two separate crests that meet somewhere near the front door that highlight the side view of the van. That, together with the flush side windows make the Urvan look more cutting-edge. An angled strut front grille with sharply angled halogen headlights up front gives the Urvan a leaner look. The rear looks better with a different bumper design that goes all the way up to the rear taillights on the corners of the van. The rear bumper also has a built-in step pad in the middle for easier loading from the rear.
Though the exterior differences of the Urvan from the Commuter may take some time to realize, the clear advantage the Nissan van has is its new upgraded engine.
The new Urvan will be powered by the YD25 DDTi 2.5-liter, DOHC in-line 4-cylinder diesel engine that is backed up by a variable geometry system. If this sounds familiar, it is because this is the same engine used in the all-new NP300 Nissan Navara pickup truck although with a small difference in injector pressure.
Even if it has a lower output compared to the Navara, the Urvan can still outperform the Commuter with its numbers of 129 horsepower and 356 newton meter of torque. That’s a far cry from the 102hp-260NM of the Toyota.
With this engine, negotiating steep roads such as the Transcentral Highway in Busay, Cebu City will be a breeze. Cebu Daily News tried this during a weekend drive made possible by Nissan Cebu Distributors Inc. Filled with 15 passengers including the driver, the Urvan’s powerful engine effortlessly transported the team without having to switch off Nissan’s patented powerful air conditioner.
Another cool feature is the individual aircon vents mounted on 12 points off-center on the van’s ceiling. This ensures all passengers, including those at the rearmost part of the cabin, will be able to feel Nissan’s famous air-conditioning system.
All these vents show how confident Nissan is with its air-conditioning system. (CDN PHOTO/ Brian J. Ochoa)
The Urvan also has a shift indicator on the multi-faceted display on the dashboard that gives visual cues to the driver when to shift, thus maximizing the power of the drivetrain without wasting a drop of fuel. With this, fuel efficiency is also improved, making a trip around Cebu really possible and affordable. Shifting gears manually is made easier as its shift lever is now located at the dashboard. This allows for more floor space to stow bags.
The interior space of the new Urvan has been redesigned to provide extra legroom and elbow room for both the driver and passengers.
If all these still won’t convince entrepreneurs, shuttle operators and large families to consider the Urvan, maybe the prices will. Thanks to the The Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), Nissan Philippines Inc. was able to make the new Urvan more affordable than its competitor.
With this, the Urvan, which is known for its reliability, passenger comfort and powerful air-conditioning system, might just get back to the top of its segment if its rival continues to just rest on its laurels. /with a report from motioncars.inquirer.net