Nissan PH quietly updates 2018 NV350 Urvan, Premium now has AT

As announced more than 3 weeks ago, Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) updates the lot of NV350 Urvan lineup under the radar. The changes are minor, but with the apparent design updates, you will never look at these Japanese passenger vans the same way again.

For starters, the 15- and 18-seater variants of the NV350 Urvan get redesigned front bumpers and a new honeycomb-type mesh crowned with a bigger piano black finish V-Motion grille. In addition, the multi-reflector halogen headlamps are also restyled.

Inside, the 2018 NV350 Urvan has a drive computer in its instrument panel. The head unit remains to be the 2-DIN AM/FM radio with CD and Aux input that produces the sound via 4 speakers, while power windows and central door lock are accessible by the front passenger and driver. Also, Nissan’s legendary air conditioning can be easily felt throughout the cabin via 12 independent vents up to the last row.

In addition to the updates to the 2018 NV350 Urvan, a 5-speed automatic transmission is added as an option to the bigger and more posh Premium variant. Basically, it gets what the Premium manual transmission variant has, except for the transmission upgrade.

Take note, though, that the NV350 Urvan Premium is the only variant that will get the automatic transmission option.

Also new to the full NV350 Urvan range is the Euro 4-compliant 2.5L diesel engine with variable turbocharger (VGS). It has the same output ratings as before — 129 hp and 356 Nm of torque. This engine update is the same with the Almera’s, which recently got a Euro 4-compliant engine as well.

The 2018 NV350 Urvan price tags increased slightly: P1,255,000 for the high-roof cargo variant; P1,299,000 for the 15-seater; P1,312,000 for the 18-seater; P1,670,000 for the Premium MT; and P1,740,000 for the Premium AT.