Published: Commercial Motor, 21 Dec 2000
Total Reviseby: Toby Clark
The Cabstar seems to have been a fixture on British roads for decades now, but it's up against increasingly stiff competition.
Nissan has fought back with a revised range, cinluding new engines and a choice of cabs as well as revised bodywork.
We look at the latest version of the builder's favourite to see if it can still compete in the 21st century.
Verdict
The Nissan Cabstar has long been a favourite - indeed, it had the market to itself for a long time - but this has become a very tough sector, and it demands a very good product.
The latest Cabstar is fundamentally well made, and it has been developed in sensible directions: more power, less amintenance, much better bodywork and a more comfortable cab. The price is good, too - it's on a par with the Isuzu NKR chassis-cab, and a couple of thousand cheaper than the nearest equivalents from Mitsubishi or LDV.
But with an unremarkable payload and so-so performance and fuel economy, the Cabstar E 90 won't set the world on fire. We'll have to wait and see if the E110 can set new standards in the class.
Vehicle Specifications
Nissan Cabstar E 90 SWB
| Fuel Consumption: | 22.8mpg(12.4lit/100km) |
| Average speed: | 65.9km/h |
| Gross weight as tested: | 3,200kg |
| Net payload: | 1,340kg |
| Price as tested: | £13,130(ex-VAT) |
