Chevrolet
Astro
Nissan
NV200
Chevrolet Astro vs Nissan NV200: 2017 Comparison
The short answer
The Chevrolet Astro offers power, while the Nissan NV200 excels at fuel economy instead. Choose the Chevrolet Astro if you prioritize power in daily driving, or the Nissan NV200 if fuel economy matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Astro
Overall
Sentiment is overwhelmingly positive regarding the vehicle's core reliability, durability, and practicality, particularly for its era. The Astro is consistently praised for its robust 4.3L V6 engine, with multiple reports of achieving high mileage (300,000+ miles/483,000+ km) with regular maintenance. It is highly regarded as a versatile platform for van life conversions, camping, and work use, offering a good balance of interior space, power for mountain passes, and a commanding driving position.
Best version to buy
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models are frequently mentioned as the preferred configuration for improved traction and versatility, especially for camping or use in varied climates. Later models (approximately 1996 and newer) with the Vortec 4.3L V6 and electronic fuel injection are implicitly favored over earlier carbureted versions due to improved driveability and reliability.
Known issues
- ⚠Rust on frame and body: A very frequent and critical concern, often cited as a primary reason to avoid a specific vehicle. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Electrical problems: Intermittent no-crank/no-start conditions, faulty door lock actuators (especially front doors), wiring harness damage (notably above the gas pedal), and general electrical gremlins. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Suspension and steering component wear: Worn ball joints, leaf spring failure (including broken/welded springs), and failing power steering pumps are common high-mileage wear items. Frequency: very frequent.
NV200
Overall
Sentiment is sharply divided between the gasoline and diesel variants, with the electric e-NV200 forming a distinct third category. For the gasoline NV200, sentiment is predominantly negative, characterized by widespread reports of mechanical unreliability, poor build quality, and significant issues with the CVT transmission. Owners describe these vans as "a pile of junk" with numerous failures.
Best version to buy
The diesel-powered 1.5 dci variant is consistently presented as the more reliable and durable choice. One owner with over 275,000 miles on a diesel NV200 explicitly chose it over a ProMaster City due to engine quality and lack of issues.
Known issues
- ⚠CVT Transmission Failures (Gasoline models): Transmission failure reported around 60,000 miles; general concerns about long-term reliability are very frequent. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠General Build Quality & Component Failures: Sliding door mechanism failures, door locks freezing in cold weather, TPMS sensor rust, exhaust rattles, warped window seals, and overspray on interior dash from factory. Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠Engine Mechanical Problems (Gasoline models): Coolant leaking into spark plug wells causing misfires, rough idle and stalling issues, oil consumption (in larger NV3500, mentioned in context), difficulty starting in extreme cold (-30°C/-22°…
The verdict
The Nissan NV200 is the better choice for most buyers.
It has better fuel economy on its best-equipped version than the Chevrolet Astro, based on the data above. If power matters more to you than running costs, the Chevrolet Astro is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Chevrolet Astro or the Nissan NV200?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Chevrolet Astro and the Nissan NV200. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Chevrolet Astro or the Nissan NV200?
The Chevrolet Astro seats more passengers than the Nissan NV200 on its catalogued best-equipped version. Body type also differs: the Chevrolet Astro is classed as a Minivan, the Nissan NV200 as a Minivan.
Which has better fuel economy, the Chevrolet Astro or the Nissan NV200?
The Nissan NV200 is more fuel-efficient on paper: 7.3 L/100km combined versus 13.1 L/100km for the Chevrolet Astro, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Astro or the Nissan NV200?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but reliability signals above are the closest proxy: fewer reported issues generally means lower repair costs over time.