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Nissan Primastar

NV300 Combi: space for 9, then a Primastar comeback in 2021.12

Researched October 29, 2026 from 30 sources

At a glance

0100200
81–170 hpPower
0200400
190–380 N·mTorque

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1314

Engine
Early: 2.0 L gas or 1.9–2.5 L diesel; NV300 onward: 1.6–2.0 L turbodiesel1312
Layout
Front-wheel drive24
Gearbox
6-speed manual/automated manual; NV300: DCT; from 2025: ZF 9-speed auto5710
Built at
Original: GM Luton, UK; Nissan Barcelona, Spain; NV300: Sandouville, France1213

The story

Nissan's 2002 Vanette replacement shared Renault Trafic X83 and Opel Vivaro hardware through a Renault-Nissan/General Motors joint venture. The first-generation minibus seated up to 9, with both rear rows removable.345

2002: Primastar replaces the Vanette20022006: 2.0 dCi and 6-speed gearboxes arrive20062011: ESP becomes standard on passenger models20112019: NV300 gains 170 hp and a dual clutch20192021: Primastar name returns20212022: Seaside by Dethleffs sleeps 420222025: ZF brings 9 speeds and 2,500 kg towing20252026: Kombi gets 17-inch wheels and a price cut2026 Datsun C20 / Nissan Vanette (C120): 1978–1988C120Nissan Vanette (European passenger version) (C22): 1986–1995C22Nissan Serena (C23): 1991–2001C23Nissan Vanette Cargo (HC23): 1995–2001HC23Nissan Primastar (X83): 2002–2016X83Nissan NV300 / Primastar: 2016–present 19801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones23412232425
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1978–1988Datsun C20 / Nissan Vanette (C120)
1986–1995Nissan Vanette (European passenger version) (C22)
1991–2001Nissan Serena (C23)
1995–2001Nissan Vanette Cargo (HC23)
2002–2016Nissan Primastar (X83)
2016–presentNissan NV300 / Primastar
2002Primastar replaces the Vanette
20062.0 dCi and 6-speed gearboxes arrive
2011ESP becomes standard on passenger models
2019NV300 gains 170 hp and a dual clutch
2021Primastar name returns
2022Seaside by Dethleffs sleeps 4
2025ZF brings 9 speeds and 2,500 kg towing
2026Kombi gets 17-inch wheels and a price cut
  1. 2002

    Primastar replaces the Vanette

    Nissan's European Vanette Largo/Cargo replacement arrives, sharing Renault Trafic X83 and Opel Vivaro A hardware.3

  2. 2006

    2.0 dCi and 6-speed gearboxes arrive

    A new 2.0 dCi replaces the 1.9; minibuses get 2.0 or 2.5 dCi power with 6-speed manual or automated manual gearboxes.5

  3. 2011

    ESP becomes standard on passenger models

    The 6- or 9-seat Kombi and 7- or 8-seat Avantour gain standard ESP and a passenger airbag; Avantour also gets side and curtain airbags.6

  4. 2019

    NV300 gains 170 hp and a dual clutch

    The NV300 adds a 2.0-liter diesel, with manual or DCT choices at 145 and 170 hp; passenger versions start at 120 hp.27

  5. 2021

    Primastar name returns

    After February's NV300 Combi refresh brings 110, 150 and 170 hp 2.0 diesels, Nissan announces the Primastar rename in September.18

  6. 2022

    Seaside by Dethleffs sleeps 4

    The Primastar camper offers up to 6 individual seats, 4 sleeping spaces, a pop-up roof, a 36-liter refrigerator and a 2-burner gas cooker.9

  7. 2025

    ZF brings 9 speeds and 2,500 kg towing

    ZF's 9-speed torque-converter auto replaces the Kombi's 6-speed DCT; max braked towing rises from 1,800 to 2,500 kg on a 12% grade. L1/L2 lengths: 5.08/5.48 m.10

  8. 2026

    Kombi gets 17-inch wheels and a price cut

    The German Kombi adds camera driver monitoring and improves braking and refinement; the 9-seat price drops by EUR 3,094.11

Every generation

  • Datsun C20 / Nissan Vanette
    C1201978–1988
  • Nissan Vanette (European passenger version)
    C221986–1995
  • Nissan Serena
    C231991–2001
  • Nissan Vanette Cargo
    HC231995–2001
  • Nissan Primastar
    X832002–2016
  • Nissan NV300 / Primastar
    Nissan NV300 / Primastar2016–present

Power over the years

From 81 hp to 170 hp in 17 years.

050100150200 2005201020152020 hp 2002 · 81 hp · Original 1.9 dCi 822002 · 99 hp · Original 1.9 dCi 1002002 · 118 hp · Original 2.0 petrol 1202003 · 133 hp · Original 2.5 dCi 1352006 · 89 hp · 2.0 dCi 902007 · 113 hp · Minibus 2.0 dCi 115 (2007 MY)2007 · 148 hp · Minibus 2.5 dCi 150 (2007 MY)2016 · 120 hp · NV300 1.6 dCi 120 single turbo2016 · 125 hp · NV300 1.6 dCi 125 twin turbo2016 · 145 hp · NV300 1.6 dCi 145 twin turbo2019 · 170 hp · NV300 2.0 diesel 170, DCT option2021 · 150 hp · Primastar 2.0 dCi 150 manual/DCT 170 hp NV300 2.0 diesel 170, DCT option 81 hp Original 1.9 dCi 82
1235712
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
200281Original 1.9 dCi 82
200299Original 1.9 dCi 100
2002118Original 2.0 petrol 120
2003133Original 2.5 dCi 135
2006892.0 dCi 90
2007113Minibus 2.0 dCi 115 (2007 MY)
2007148Minibus 2.5 dCi 150 (2007 MY)
2016120NV300 1.6 dCi 120 single turbo
2016125NV300 1.6 dCi 125 twin turbo
2016145NV300 1.6 dCi 145 twin turbo
2019170NV300 2.0 diesel 170, DCT option
2021150Primastar 2.0 dCi 150 manual/DCT

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Primastar E / SE / SE+ vans (UK)

    Standard

    Primastar E / SE / SE+ vans (UK)

  • Standard

    Primastar SE minibus

    2007

  • Standard

    Primastar Kombi Comfort / Premium

    2011

  • Standard

    Primastar Avantour

    2003–2015

  • Standard

    Primastar Avantour 2.5 dCi Premium ASG

    2006–2011

    144 hp
  • NV300 Visia / Acenta / Tekna

    Standard

    NV300 Visia / Acenta / Tekna

    2016

  • Standard

    Primastar Combi Acenta / N-Connecta

  • Standard

    Primastar Kombi Tekna

    2026

  • Special

    NV300 Michelangelo

    2018

    143 hp

  • Special

    Primastar Seaside by Dethleffs

    2022

  • Special

    Primastar Ventus Mid Camper / Luxury 3.0

    2023

  • Special

    Primastar FlexVan by Schnierle

    2025

How to spot one

Look for

  • 2007 SE minibus: opening windows in the sliding doors on both sides.5
  • Later Primastar: a squarer, fuller nose carries a large black-and-chrome grille.21
  • Later Primastar: daytime running lights trace a C shape.21
  • Later Primastar: look for deep boomerang-shaped recesses in the front bumper.21

Year by year

  1. 2007 model year

    Facelift headlights and a larger rear bumper accompany a revised dashboard, new instruments and different cabin color accents.5

  2. 2010

    Dashboard storage expands with an A4 document holder above the center console; the instrument-panel hood is reshaped.22

  3. 2016

    The replacement NV300 switches to Nissan's V-motion front grille.12

  4. 2019

    NV300 gets a black dashboard in place of gray, revised seat fabric and satin-chrome trim.7

  5. 2026 (Germany)

    Kombi models gain standard 17-inch wheels in place of 16s; Tekna adds dark rear glass, painted bumpers and painted mirrors.11

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Nissan Primastar
    Primastar
    Photo of a Renault Trafic
    Renault Trafic

    Renault Trafic

    Related in both generations; look for NV300's V-motion grille or the later Primastar's interlock grille.2812

  • Photo of a Nissan Primastar
    Primastar
    Photo of a Opel / Vauxhall Vivaro
    Opel / Vauxhall Vivaro

    Opel / Vauxhall Vivaro

    Original Primastar and Vivaro share a shell. On NV300-era relatives, look for Nissan's V-motion grille.2412

  • Photo of a Nissan Primastar
    Primastar
    Photo of a Fiat Talento / Mitsubishi Express
    Fiat Talento / Mitsubishi Express

    Fiat Talento / Mitsubishi Express

    NV300 relatives: look for Nissan's V-motion grille, or the later Primastar's interlock grille, to identify the Nissan.2812

Prices

Price when new
$0$20K$40K$60K 2010201520202025 2007 · $41,950 · UK SE minibus 2.0 OTR; £1≈$2.002007 · $44,350 · UK SE minibus 2.5 OTR; £1≈$2.002025 · $59,533 · Germany FlexVan VAT incl; €1≈$1.102026 · $48,277 · Germany 9-seat VAT incl; €1≈$1.10 2007 · £20,975 · UK base minibus, 2007 MY; OTR; approx. £1=$2.00
51120
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2007Launch price$41,950UK base minibus, 2007 MY; OTR; approx. £1=$2.00
2007Price when new$41,950UK SE minibus 2.0 OTR; £1≈$2.00
2007Price when new$44,350UK SE minibus 2.5 OTR; £1≈$2.00
2025Price when new$59,533Germany FlexVan VAT incl; €1≈$1.10
2026Price when new$48,277Germany 9-seat VAT incl; €1≈$1.10

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “Red Bull's Primastar transport crew”
    • “Luton, Barcelona, then Sandouville”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 30 sources
  1. Nissan upgrades the NV300 Combi with sharper look and feel, enhanced powertrain and new safety technologies uk.nissannews.com
  2. Nissan NV300 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  3. Nissan Primastar – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  4. Nissan Primastar (2006-2016) van review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  5. A STAR IS REBORN uk.nissannews.com
  6. Primastar mit neuen Ausstattungspaketen und Optionen - Auto-Medienportal auto-medienportal.net
  7. Nissan upgrades NV300 and NV400 vans with improvements to comfort, safety and style alongside lower emissions europe.nissannews.com
  8. Interstar, Primastar and all-new Townstar: Nissan’s van range renewed to future-proof businesses uk.nissannews.com
  9. Gear up for a summer of travel with the new Nissan Primastar ‘Seaside’ campervan europe.nissannews.com
  10. Neungang-Automatikgetriebe für den Nissan Primastar germany.nissannews.com
  11. Frühjahrskur für den Nissan Primastar Kombi: Mehr Ausstattung und günstigerer Preis für den vielseitigen Van germany.nissannews.com
  12. All-new Nissan NV300: Completing one of the broadest LCV ranges on the market global.nissannews.com
  13. New Primastar and Interstar vans from Nissan europe.nissannews.com
  14. A NEW VAN THAT’S A NISSAN uk.nissannews.com
  15. Nissan Primastar Avantour 2.5 dCi 150 Premium ASG (7-Sitzer) (09/06 - 07/11): Technische Daten, Bilder, Preise | ADAC adac.de
  16. Versatile, Efficient and Economical: Nissan NV300 Arrives In UK Dealerships uk.nissannews.com
  17. Nissan Primastar Combi | Utilitaire passagers | Nissan nissan.fr
  18. Nissan Michelangelo: Noch mehr Details! | Westfalen Mobil GmbH alt.westfalia-mobil.de
  19. Ventus, la nueva gama de Campers Nissan spain.nissannews.com
  20. Modular und vielseitig: Der neue Nissan Primastar FlexVan germany.nissannews.com
  21. Nissan Primastar - Company Car and Van companycarandvan.co.uk
  22. NISSAN LAUNCHES UPDATED PRIMASTAR europe.nissannews.com
  23. Datsun Vanette – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  24. Nissan Serena - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  25. UOKiK - Produkty - Dla konsument�w - Powiadomienia przedsi�biorc�w o produktach niebezpiecznych - Samochody Nissan X83 Primastar archiwum.uokik.gov.pl
  26. Nissan Nutzfahrzeuge in der Formel 1 switzerland.nissannews.com
  27. Things to consider with a van conversion - ADVENTURE QUEENS adventurequeens.co.uk
  28. Nissan teams up with the world’s most popular MTB podcast – The Ride Companion – to create mobile Primastar podcast studio | Wessex Garages wessexgarages.com
  29. Buying a used... Nissan Primastar - What Van? whatvan.co.uk
  30. M9R Vivaro / Traffc / Primastar apautodiagnostics.co.uk
  • uk.nissannews.com
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • auto-medienportal.net
  • europe.nissannews.com
  • germany.nissannews.com
  • global.nissannews.com
  • adac.de
  • nissan.fr
  • alt.westfalia-mobil.de
  • spain.nissannews.com
  • companycarandvan.co.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • archiwum.uokik.gov.pl

Photo credits

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