The Nissan Kubistar is the Nissan version of the first-generation Renault Kangoo, a compact van and passenger vehicle sold in Europe. Renault has built the Kangoo since 1997 at its MCA plant in Maubeuge, France, in three generations, and Nissan rebadged the first as the Kubistar, the second as the NV250 and the third as the Townstar.
Nissan Kubistar at a glance
| Basis | Renault Kangoo, first generation (X76) |
|---|---|
| Kangoo production | since October 1997 |
| Kangoo facelift | March 2003 |
| Built at | MCA plant, Maubeuge, France |
| Bodies | passenger MPV and Kangoo Express panel van |
| Drive | front-wheel drive; four-wheel drive available |
| Nissan names | Kubistar (first generation), NV250 (second), Townstar (third) |
| Also rebadged | Mercedes-Benz Citan from September 2012 |
based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Renault Kangoo, which covers the Kubistar only as a rebadge.
History of the Nissan Kubistar
The Kangoo
The first-generation Kangoo was introduced in October 1997 and facelifted in March 2003, when it received a new front with the Renault diamond on a body-coloured panel in the centre of the grille and teardrop headlamps, a style then used across the Renault range. The rear windows and seats could be removed to make the panel van, the Kangoo Express. Both the Kangoo and the Express were available with four-wheel drive, and a lengthened version had a larger cargo area; a pickup was sold in Sweden.
Why Nissan sold it
The Kangoo was marketed as a rebadged variant by Nissan in Europe: the first generation as the Kubistar, the second as the NV250 and the third as the Townstar. That arrangement came from the Renault-Nissan alliance, which also led Mercedes-Benz to sell the second-generation Kangoo as the Citan from September 2012, later followed by the EQT and T-Class.
A van for wheelchairs
The Kangoo became popular with mobility-impaired people and wheelchair users because of its height and accessibility. The rear of the vehicle is cut so that a ramp can be fitted, front tie-downs are retractable seat belts with a solenoid release, and rear tie-downs use normal clamping buckles to stop the wheelchair moving forward. In some countries, such as Malaysia, the Kangoo was assembled by Nissan with third-row seats.
Design and features
- Alliance badge: a Renault Kangoo sold through Nissan dealers.
- Kangoo Express: the panel van made by removing the rear seats and windows.
- Four-wheel drive: offered on the passenger and Express versions.
- Accessible design: popular for wheelchair conversions.
Nissan Kubistar versions
- Nissan Kubistar (first generation): the Kangoo with Nissan badges.
- Nissan NV250 (second generation): the later Kangoo rebadge.
- Nissan Townstar (third generation): the current version.
- Kangoo Express: the panel van body.
- Mercedes-Benz Citan: the same idea under a third badge.
The Kubistar was Nissan’s small van alongside the Primastar, above it the NV200. More cars are in the Nissan collection.
Video: nissan kubistar 1.5 dci 80
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Renault Kangoo, English Wikipedia: Kangoo history, Nissan badges, accessibility features
