New Nissan Interstar: fresh looks, increased efficiency, and a powertrain debut

The new Nissan Interstar brings refinement, innovation, and a big powertrain shift to the Japanese brand’s large LCV. Has this been enough to remain competitive?

The all-new Nissan Interstar has landed. It packs the expected blend of practicality and versatility, but there’s a twist: for the first time, the Interstar has the option of a 100% electric powertrain. Now in direct competition with the Ford Transit, Renault Master, and their electric counterparts — how does Nissan’s latest large LCV measure up? 

A bold look

The new Interstar boasts a chunkily modernised design. The overall aesthetic looks far more tailored to a large LCV than that of its predecessor which — to our eyes — always looked as though it was destined to be a small van, but was then scaled up at the last second. 

The redesigned front end now features a bold grille with sharp horizontal elements spanning its width, capped on either end by similarly striking angular headlights. The sleek yet squared-off face looms at an imposing height, giving a more assertive road presence. While the rear is nothing to write home about, taking more of an ‘if it ain’t broke’ approach, this results in a traditional workhorse design which garners no complaints from us.

Like the slippery Renault Master E-Tech, this new silhouette has brought some handy aerodynamic benefits. Namely, a 20% reduction in drag compared to the previous generation — beneficial no matter what powertrain lays under the bonnet. 

A new generation

The big news around the Interstar is the introduction of a fully electric powertrain, part of Nissan’s masterplan to create a fully electrified LCV line-up by 2027. The EV variant, dubbed the Interstar-e, is available with either a 40 kwh or 87 kwh battery, providing a range of up to 285 miles. This impressively matches the latest Renault Master, and outruns Ford’s E-Transit by at least 35 miles.

Downtime can be further minimised through the 87 kwh battery’s 130 kw DC fast-charging capabilities, harvesting up to 157 miles of range in just half an hour, and going from 10% to 100% in under four hours. 

However, for those who prefer a more traditional powertrain, Nissan offers a range of efficient diesel engines packing up to 168 hp and 380 Nm of torque. Combine this with the drag-minimising aerodynamics and you’re looking at overall fuel consumption as low as 32 mpg.

What is the Nissan Interstar’s capacity and payload?

Beneath the surface, the Interstar’s rear portion more than just looks utilitarian — it has the stats to back it up. In panel van format the large LCV offers up to 14.8m³ of space in the cargo area, falling a whisker short of the E-Transit’s 15.1m³, although the Interstar’s can be accessed via a ‘class leading’ 1.3-metre-wide sliding side door.

Unfortunately — but as expected — the payload of the Interstar-e cannot match that of its ICE sibling, seeing the 1925 kg figure slashed to 1625 kg. This cannot quite match the 1,745 kg which the E-Transit is able to shift, but it does again exactly match the Master’s capabilities.

Cabin comforts

It’s not just spacious in the back. Step inside, and you'll find an airy redesigned cabin that prioritises driver comfort and practicality. The interior boasts an impressive 135 litres of additional space and cubby holes compared to its predecessor, opening up more room for driver and passengers in the process. 

The dash features a pleasant mix of physical and touchscreen controls, punctuated by a clean-edged infotainment system ergonomically angled towards the driver — providing the customary access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We would say it’s ‘car-like’, but at this point these features are becoming distinctly ‘van-like’. A nice inclusion, but no surprise.

Overall, the all-new Nissan Interstar is shaping up to be a solid option in the large van segment. It blends some eye-catching design, an improved exterior, market-matching cargo capabilities, and an increased choice of powertrains — resulting in some competitive versatility.

Hero image credit: Nissan