Nissan has resurrected the Evalia nameplate in Europe with a new iteration of the Townstar. This model shares close ties with the Renault Kangoo and the Mercedes Citan/T-Class compact van twins. It comes in a long wheelbase configuration with options for five or seven seats and is available with either fully electric or gasoline powertrains. The Nissan Townstar Evalia serves as the counterpart to the Renault Grand Kangoo and succeeds the aging e-NV200. It’s built on the L2 bodystyle of the Townstar LCV, which premiered in the summer of 2023. This configuration boasts a stretched 3,100 mm  wheelbase, making it 384 mm longer than the standard L1 version.

The additional length provides ample space inside the cabin for both passengers and their belongings, catering to large families. It offers a spacious cabin available in either five- or seven-seater configurations. The second and third-row seats are sliding, folding, and removable, allowing for a substantial cargo area of up to 3,750 liters. Based on the Renault counterpart, the boot space should be around 500 liters in the seven-seater configuration. As highlighted by Nissan, the Townstar Evalia is large enough for carrying your vacation luggage, transporting bulky tools / equipment, or even moving houses. Furthermore, the 49 lt of in-cabin storage at the front, enhance its practicality credentials when you use it as a people mover.

 

The company boasts about its “class-leading cabin quietness,” though we’re skeptical that there will be a significant difference compared to the mechanically-related vans. Safety features include systems like the Intelligent Around View Monitor, Blind Spot Warning, and Lane Keep Assist, but it appears to offer a more limited selection compared to the 14 available ADAS found in the Renault Kangoo. The Nissan Townstar Evalia is available in both EV and ICE forms. The EV features a single electric motor producing 120 hp and 245 Nm of torque, matching Renault’s E-Tech-branded vans. Likewise, the 45 kWh battery pack is good for a range of up to 265 km and is compatible with 80 kW DC charging, going from 15-80 percent in 37 minutes.

The combustion engine version employs a turbocharged 1.3-liter gasoline powertrain, delivering 128 hp. Interestingly, Nissan has opted not to offer a diesel option, likely due to the stringent emission regulations in Europe. In addition to the Renault Grand Kangoo, competitors of the Nissan Townstar Evalia include the long-wheelbase versions of the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Rifter, Opel Combo Life, and Toyota ProAce City quadruplets from Stellantis, along with the Ford Tourneo Connect and VW Caddy Maxi twins.