The growing commercial vehicle segment will see another contender in April when the 2013 Nissan NV200 arrives in showrooms with a base price of $20,835 (including destination). Nissan released all of the details on its newest commercial van on the 2013 Chicago auto show.

The 2013 NV200 is cheaper and lots smaller than the Titan-based NV2500 and NV3500 commercial vans that entered the U.S. market over a year ago. Nissan says the smaller van will delay to 122.7 cubic feet of cargo, and a low floor height of just 19.5 inches should make it relatively easy to load and unload the products.

The sole powertrain is a 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated I-4 rated at 131 hp and 139 lb-ft of torque; Power is shipped to front wheels via Nissan’s latest continuously variable transmission and the automaker says the van should achieve 24 mpg combined and 24/25 mpg city/highway. Nissan is currently testing an electrical version of the NV fitted with a modified version of the Leaf’s powertrain, however the automaker hasn’t officially green-lighted the zero-emissions NV200 for production.

The NV200 may be available in S or SV trim levels. Both will come standard with 15-inch steel wheels, brake assist, power windows, 12-volt power outlet, a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, and tire pressure monitoring system. The SV model adds cruise control, cargo tie-down hooks, steering wheel-mounted infotainment buttons, power adjustable side view mirrors, power door locks, and remote keyless entry. Options like navigation and a backup camera come in at the SV model. The cabin may also be transformed right into a mobile office due to items like laptop storage, pen and pencil holders, and a passenger seat that will become a table when the backrest is folded flat.

Once the NV200 arrives, it might compete against the Ford Transit Connect, which was first offered to Americans back in 2010. However, an all-new 2014 Transit Connect is determined to reach this autumn with a protracted list of features including two wheelbase choices and two engine offerings – a turbocharged 1.6-liter turbocharged I-4 and a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder. Ford hasn’t released official power figures, but we think the previous will produce 170 hp and the latter should put out 178 hp. Ford may be confident that certain variants of the Transit Connect will achieve 30 mpg at the highway. Ram hopes to make the most of the segment by offering a Fiat Doblo-based van inside the U.S., which can arrive in showrooms by the tip of this year.

Following the NV200’s arrival this April, Nissan’s new van will function New York’s official taxi starting this October. Nissan is currently performing durability test at the NV200 taxi, that’s on the center of a controversial lawsuit involving city officials and taxi operators.

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Source: Nissan