Compare the2022 Ford Transit Connect VanVS 2021 Nissan NV200

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Transit Connect Van has standard Automatic Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The NV200 doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Transit Connect Van XLT’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The NV200 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Transit Connect Van offers optional Reverse Sensing System to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or, optionally, in front of the vehicle. The NV200 doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Transit Connect Van’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The NV200 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Transit Connect Van’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The NV200 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Transit Connect Van offers optional 911 Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The NV200 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Transit Connect Van and the NV200 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available blind spot warning systems.

Warranty

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Transit Connect Van’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Transit Connect Van has a standard 800-amp battery (590 2.5). The NV200’s 470-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The Transit Connect Van’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 31 more horsepower (162 vs. 131) and 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (144 vs. 139) than the NV200’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Transit Connect Van’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 38 more horsepower (169 vs. 131) and 32 lbs.-ft. more torque (171 vs. 139) than the NV200’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Transit Connect Van 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder gets better highway fuel mileage than the NV200 (24 city/27 hwy vs. 24 city/26 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Transit Connect Van 2.0’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The NV200 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Transit Connect Van has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the NV200 (15.8 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Transit Connect Van has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The NV200 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Transit Connect Van higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Nissan NV200 (3). This means the Transit Connect Van produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NV200 every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The Ford Transit Connect Van has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the NV200. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Transit Connect Van stops much shorter than the NV200:

	Transit Connect Van	NV200
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	141 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Transit Connect Van has larger tires than the NV200 (215/55R16 vs. 185/60R15).

The Transit Connect Van’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NV200’s standard 60 series tires.

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Transit Connect Van has standard 16-inch wheels. Only 15-inch wheels are available on the NV200.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Transit Connect Van has fully independent front and semi-independent rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Nissan NV200 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Transit Connect Van has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The NV200’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Transit Connect Van has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Transit Connect Van flat and controlled during cornering. The NV200’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The front and rear suspension of the Transit Connect Van uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the NV200, which uses leaf springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Transit Connect Van’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The NV200 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the LWB Transit Connect Van’s wheelbase is 5.4 inches longer than on the NV200 (120.6 inches vs. 115.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Transit Connect Van is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than on the NV200.

Chassis

The SWB Transit Connect Van is 1 foot shorter than the NV200, making the Transit Connect Van easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Transit Connect Van offers available electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The NV200 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Transit Connect Van has 7.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NV200 (63.2 vs. 55.6).

The Transit Connect Van has 5.2 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room and 3.5 inches more front shoulder room than the NV200.

Cargo Capacity

The Transit Connect Van’s cargo area is larger than the NV200’s in almost every dimension:

	SWB Transit Connect Van	LWB Transit Connect Van	NV200
Length	71.9”	87.6”	82.8”
Min Width	48.7”	48.7”	48”
Height	49.7”	49.8”	53”

The Transit Connect Van’s available liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The NV200’s two swing out doors impair rear visibility, need a lot of clearance, and can block loading in tight quarters.

Payload and Towing

The Transit Connect Van Towing Package offers up to a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The NV200 has no towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Sway Control on the Transit Connect Van uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The NV200 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The LWB Transit Connect Van has a higher optional payload capacity than the NV200 (1550 vs. 1492 lbs.).

Ergonomics

The Transit Connect Van XLT offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The NV200 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The engine computer on the Transit Connect Van automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The NV200’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

The Transit Connect Van’s standard tilting steering column adjusts to different sized drivers and makes entering and exiting easier. Nissan doesn’t offer tilt steering on the NV200.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Transit Connect Van has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The NV200 doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

The power windows standard on both the Transit Connect Van and the NV200 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Transit Connect Van is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The NV200 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Transit Connect Van’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The NV200’s power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Transit Connect Van’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The NV200’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Transit Connect Van to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The NV200 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Transit Connect Van offers an optional rear wiper. The NV200 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Transit Connect Van has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The NV200 doesn’t offer automatic headlights.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Transit Connect Van detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The NV200 doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Transit Connect Van XLT offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The NV200 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Transit Connect Van’s optional power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The NV200 SV’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Transit Connect Van’s optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The NV200 doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The Transit Connect Van XLT’s optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The NV200 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Transit Connect Van XLT’s optional automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The NV200 doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Transit Connect Van XLT offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The NV200 doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Transit Connect Van offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) on the dashboard. The NV200 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

The Ford Transit Connect outsold the Nissan NV200 by 36% during the 2021 model year.