About to purchase - 2017 vs. 2018?

[miko]

So after years of considering the NV, our family of 8 is going to pull the trigger and get one in the next few weeks. As we look at dealer stock in our area, there are both 2017 and 2018 SLs available. Are there any appreciable differences that would make the 2018 worth the slight extra money?

 

And am I right that you can't buy an SV with a V8 engine? Or are they just golden unicorns? Not a big fan of the multi tone interior of the leather in the SLs. Much prefer the grey cloth. 

[radin2son]

NV 3500s only come with a V8 regardless of trim level. If this is what you are considering, the SV will have a V8.

 

It appears most on this site have NVP 3500s. If NVP 2500s are still available, the 2500 gives you a choice of V6 or V8. In 2015, while getting an oil change in Colorado Springs, the dealer had a V6 NVP available for rental. A salesman said he used it to take his large family to a reunion. He felt the V6 was underpowered.

Edited October 10, 2018 by radin2son

[miko]

Hmmm. That's not what i'm seeing on Nissan's national inventory listing. Across the country SVs seem to be all V6s and SLs are all V8s. There may be a SV V8 in there somewhere but the filtering doesn't seem to be working to narrow the list. Any ideas on how to find an SV V8? I've tried all the major sources (cars.com, autotrader, Nissanusa.com) but no luck. 

[mahu]

You could also do a factory order! That’s what we ended up doing. Go to various dealerships last 1-2 days of the month when you have most leverage and negotiation power. Listening to this podcast helped us immensely in improving our car buying game: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/513/129-carsWe were able to place factory order to exact color and specs we wanted for around $3500 under MSRP. Good luck!!

No specific differences between 17 and 18. The later model year will give you better galue retention if eg you were planning on selling it 4-5 years from now. We got a 2016 model at the end of oct 2015.

[radin2son]

Miko, you are correct.

 

Not sure when they discontinued the NVP 2500, but the NVP 3500 S and SV are V6 only. Since you know what you are talking about, is the 2017 NVP the same configuration? If you plan to tow, go with the SL.

 

Not that this helps you, the cargo NV 2500 still offers a V6 or V8. Curiuosly, the SL only comes with a V6. The cargo NV 3500 only comes with a V8.

 

You have to wonder what Nissan is thinking. It has to be related to numbers sold and maybe the V6 outsold the V8.

[Mark Rogers]

You used to be able to pick your engine for a lot of the NV's, but that changed in 2018.  Now, only the 2500 S and 2500 SV vans have a choice of engines.

 

Here's what you'll find in the 2018 vans:

 

Cargo 1500 S: V6

Cargo 1500 SV: V6

Cargo 2500 S: V6 or V8

Cargo 2500 SV: V6 or V8

Cargo 2500 SL: V6

Cargo 3500 S: V8

Cargo 3500 SV: V8

Cargo 3500 SL: V8

Passenger 3500 S: V6

Passenger 3500 SV: V6

Passenger 3500 SL: V8

 

If you want a V8 SV, you might be able to find one from 2017 (passenger version only), but they weren't all that common.

 

Sources:

2017 cargo van brochure: https://www.nissanusa.com/content/dam/Nissan/us/vehicle-brochures/2017/2017-nv-cargo-brochure-en.pdf

2018 cargo van brochure: https://www.nissanusa.com/content/dam/Nissan/us/vehicle-brochures/2018/2018-nv-cargo-brochure-en.pdf

2017 passenger van brochure: https://www.nissanusa.com/content/dam/Nissan/us/vehicle-brochures/2017/2017-nv-passenger-brochure-en.pdf

2018 passenger van brochure: https://www.nissanusa.com/content/dam/Nissan/us/vehicle-brochures/2018/2018-nv-passenger-brochure-en.pdf

Edited October 10, 2018 by Mark Rogers

[radin2son]

It must be related to the new V8. Perhaps they are going to upgrade the V6. I would still opt for the V8. Miko’s family of 8 may not grow in number, but they will get bigger.

[Mark Rogers]

The new V8 was available in 2017, but the limited engine options didn't start until 2018.  I'm guessing they're just reducing the options to save cost.

 

I agree that the V8 is nice for large families.  By most accounts I've heard, it's a lot better at towing.  And some people say the V6 feels underpowered even when not towing.  I've only ever driven the V8, and it serves us just fine.  It's no race car, but it can easily beat our minivan in a drag race.  And passing trucks on the interstate is no problem, even when going up a steep grade.

[miko]

Many thanks for the input, it's good to have a sanity check on what I was seeing. And yes, with growing kids and longer trips we definitely want the V8. I think we'll just go the SL route since it'll also resell better. Appreciate all the thoughts. 

[Mark Rogers]

If you don't like the leather, you can always add aftermarket cloth seat covers on top of it.

 

A more expensive option is to buy OEM cloth seat covers.  I'm told the leather can be unzipped and removed, then you can zip on the cloth covers.  You might be able to find another NV owner to buy the leather from you if it's still in good condition.

[Bamps]

My 15 cargo is a v6. If anyone is considering the v6 over the v8 for gas miliage i would not recommend it. If i had my rathers, it woul be the 8. The v6 works harder to push the big box around and the gas miliage as a result suffers. The power of the v8 is well worth it, the “fuel savings” on the v6 are not there