Should You Take the 2021 Nissan NV Off Road?
The 2021 Nissan NV can handle the occasional dirt road, but it’s better suited for city streets and the highway than the open trail.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If you’ve got a job that requires hauling cargo, the Nissan NV has the storage capacity to get the job done—but if you need a vehicle that can handle unpaved backcountry roads, a full-size SUV or pick up truck might be a better option.
For many small businesses, a cargo van is essential for hauling equipment from one job site to another. Not only do vans look more professional than pickup trucks, but the enclosed cargo compartment protects your supplies from theft. It might be tempting to take your van off-road and use its large storage area to hold your adventure gear—but the Nissan NV is better suited for the paved roads than the open trails.
If you’ve thought about bringing your cargo van along for your next weekend wilderness excursion, check out this useful guide from the
car insurance
experts at Jerry
first. We’ll give you the rundown on important off-road specs like ground clearance, tires, and drivetrain—and talk about where the Nissan NV falls short. We'll even show you how we can help you save on your Nissan NV insurance costs
, so let's get started!
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Can the 2021 Nissan NV go off-road?
No, the 2021 Nissan NV isn’t ready for the open trail. It’s got the chops for driving on flat dirt roads or job sites—but it wasn’t designed with true off-roading in mind. Trying to drive an unmodified Nissan NV on a rocky mountain trail or through the mud is likely to damage the vehicle.
But if you’re just looking for a hauler that can carry gear for the company camping trip, the Nissan NV can be a great pick. It offers a whopping 234 cubic feet of storage space, a 261-horsepower V6 engine, and a towing capacity of 6,900 pounds—not to mention the convenience of being able to stand up inside the cargo area without stooping.
So why is it such a bad idea to drive the 2021 Nissan NV on tougher terrain? Keep reading to find out.
Ground clearance
The more space there is between your car and the ground, the easier it is to roll over rough ground without damaging your vehicle’s undercarriage. The measurement of the space under your car is called its ground clearance, and it’s one of the most important things to consider before you hit the open trail.
For the best off-roading experience, experts recommend between 8.8 and 10.8 inches of ground clearance—but the Nissan NV comes up a bit short. With just 6.4 to 8.1 inches of clearance depending on trim, even the highest-riding NV isn’t tall enough for the open trail.
Torque
Another important spec when it comes to off road driving is your car’s turning power, or torque. Vehicles that can achieve high torqueat low rpm perform best on steep, slick, or slippery terrain.
The 2021 Nissan NV makes a maximum torque of 387 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm. That’s a decent amount of power, but because it can't be accessed at low speeds,you’re more likely to get stuck or end up spinning your wheels if you’re rolling over ground where traction is difficultto maintain.
Tires
The 2021 Nissan NV is equipped with a set of heavy-duty tires. Used almost exclusively for commercial vehicles, these HD tires are designed to handle a variety of road and weather conditions. They can also withstand higher temperatures than passenger-vehicle tires.
While HD tires are fantastic for driving long-distances on paved highways or city streets, you’d need a set of all-terrain tires if you plan to drive your van off road. A/T tires provide better cornering and improved traction—and they have a deeper tread depth to help prevent your vehicle from getting stuck.
Drivetrain
To drive safely over craggy or rocky ground, a vehicle with either four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is best. These types of drivetrains make it easier to maintain control of your car in tough terrain conditions, since each tire gains traction independently. This means that you’re less likely to get stuck if one of your tires leaves the ground or gets caught in a hole.
Unfortunately, the 2021 Nissan NV only comes in rear-wheel drive—which isn’t safe for off-road driving at all.
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Off-road trails rated moderate or higher usually involve driving over rocks or ditches, so it’s important to know your vehicle’s approach angle and departure angle if you want to avoid damage. If you’ve never heard those terms before, here’s how they are defined:
- Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference
- Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
With approach and departure angles of 18 and 17 degrees, driving a Nissan NV over ragged or pitted ground will surely damage the car. Expert off roaders recommend angles of at least 20 degrees for tougher terrain.
Off-road rating: Don’t try it
If you’re still not sure whether your Nissan NV can handle your weekend wilderness adventures,
Jerry's
super-technical DIRT rating system can help you decide. Here’s how we break it down:Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t try it | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
We believe that the 2021 Nissan NV deserves a D rating. While it can probably stand up to the occasional dirt road or grass lot—it offers unimpressive performance on the open trail. Between inadequate tires, a substandard drivetrain, and ground clearance and angles that are too low for anything other than relatively level terrain, the Nissan NV is a poor choice for backcountry roads.
That said, if you really have your heart set on off-roading in a Nissan NV, investing in
aftermarket mods
like a lift kit, skid plates, or all-terrain tires can get your vehicle in shape for some moderate wilderness adventures. But we still recommend opting for a pickup truck or a trail-ready SUV like the Jeep Wrangler
instead.The best off-road alternatives to the 2021 Nissan NV
While the 2021 Nissan NV can be a great choice if your priority is a vehicle with a lot of cargo space, here are some alternatives for drivers looking for better off-road performance:
Alternative | Model | Starting price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best comparable alternative | 2016 Ford Transit 150 | $30,960 | With optional all-wheel drive, the 2016 Ford Transit 150 is better suited for driving on uneven ground. |
Best affordable alternative | 2018 Ford Transit Connect | $23,215 | Also available with optional all-wheel drive, the 2018 Ford Transit Connect is a good pick for weekend camping trips. |
Best performance alternative | $42,990 | Four-wheel drive and a maximum ground clearance of 8.4 inches mean that this cargo van can handle moderately difficult terrain. |
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
Off-road capable vehicles are great for drivers that enjoy wilderness adventures, but they do come with one downside—they’re often expensive to insure. Leaving the paved roads behind means you’re more likely to damage your car, and more likely to file a claim with your insurance company.
But with a little help from
Jerry
, finding a lower rate on your car insurance
can be as effortless as driving on a dirt road with four-wheel drive. A licensed broker, Jerry's trustworthy super app
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