After Mercedes and its Citan, Nissan unveils the second cousin of the Renault Kangoo. Successor of the e-NV200 and NV250, the Townstar is available in combi for families and utility for pros, in gasoline as well as in electric but ignores the diesel.
Like the previous generation, the Renault Kangoo is making babies. The combispace and utility diamond thus display the Mercedes star (Class T, EQT and Citan) as well as the new Nissan crest on the Townstar. Produced in the Maubeuge plant, the latter takes over from the NV250 which was already a renamed Renault Kangoo since 2019. The electric version will also take over from the other compact utility in the range, the e-NV200.
The 7 mistakes game
Unlike the Mercedes Citan, which is distinguished by a specific facies, the Nissan Townstar differs from the Renault Kangoo only in terms of the headlights, the grille and the front bumper. The electric version is recognizable by its specific grille, inspired by the Nissan Ariya SUV, and its 10-inch digital instrumentation. Inside, the dashboard is identical to that of the Renault, logo on the steering wheel apart. Driving aids radius, it is full like the Kangoo but it outperforms with the Round View Monitor whose four cameras offer a 360 ° view. In addition, the electric version can be equipped with ProPilot automated driving.
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Electric but no diesel
The Townstar catalog will not make you dizzy since it includes the 1.3 TCe engine of 130 hp and an electric version of 122 hp offering a range of 285 km. Nissan skips the 1.3 TCe 100 hp and especially the 1.5 Blue dCi diesel engine (75, 95 and 115 hp) which still represents the majority of sales among professionals. Only available in L1H1, the utility has a loading volume of up to 3.9 m3 when the passenger seat is folded down and the front bulkhead pivoted.
Regarding payload, it can carry two Europallets with a maximum of 800 kg while some competitors go up to 1 tonne. Unlike the Renault Kangoo, it does not offer the famous “Sesame open” side door without a middle pillar. This is not necessarily a disadvantage because it is not unanimous among all craftsmen. The latter have classic openings and have the choice between a tailgate or 60/40 hinged doors at the rear.
Marketing, price and guarantee
For now, the manufacturer has not communicated the price list knowing that the Renault Kangoo TCe 130 is billed from € 21,500 excluding tax. Marketing should take place at the start of 2022 and the range should expand with a Maxi version (4.91 m and up to 4.9m3 in volume). While its utility rivals offer two-year, unlimited mileage coverage, the Townstar goes further with five years or 160,000 km.
