Daihatsu Gran Max vs Nissan NV200 in Malaysia: Which Van Suits Your Business?
Published: 24 October 2026·Last updated: 27 October 2026
Gran Max or NV200? Compare price, engine, fuel tank, seats, transmission and body options for Malaysian businesses, side by side.
The Gran Max and the Nissan NV200 are the two best-known small commercial vans in Malaysia, and they cost almost the same. The Gran Max offers an automatic gearbox, a five-seat version and a pick-up for custom bodies; the NV200 offers a stronger engine and a larger fuel tank. Which matters more depends on your work.
Side-by-side
| Daihatsu Gran Max Panel Van | Nissan NV200 Panel Van 1.6L | |
|---|---|---|
| Price, OTR without insurance | RM79,458 (Saga Superior, MT) | RM79,800 (Peninsular, distributor price) |
| Engine | 1.5L petrol, 97 hp, 134 Nm | 1.6L petrol, 108 hp, 152 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic | 5-speed manual only |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel tank | 43 litres | 55 litres |
| Length / wheelbase | 4,045 mm / 2,650 mm | 4,400 mm / 2,725 mm |
| Seats | 2 (Panel Van), 5 (Semi-Panel Van) | 2 |
| Body options | Panel Van, Semi-Panel Van, Pick-Up | Panel Van, Semi-Panel Van |
| Warranty | 5 years / 150,000 km, whichever comes first | 3 years / 100,000 km (Nissan listing) |
Nissan figures are from the paultan.org NV200 listing. Gran Max power and torque are from Daihatsu Malaysia's 2022 launch coverage; dimensions and price are from our own price list.
Day-to-day differences
These come from our sales team's experience with both vans. Check the exact unit you are buying.
| Daihatsu Gran Max | Nissan NV200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine position | Under the front seats, leaving more room for cargo | At the front |
| Cargo length | About 7 ft (2,075 mm) | About 6 ft |
| Turning circle | 4.9 m | 5.2 m |
| Reverse camera | Yes | No (mirrors only) |
| Multimedia | Android multimedia player | Basic 2-DIN audio |
| Seat recline for rest breaks | Yes | No (fixed) |
| Comfort on long trips | Fair | Better |
Where the Gran Max wins
- Automatic option. The Gran Max Panel Van and Semi-Panel Van come in a 4-speed automatic, which suits stop-start delivery routes in the Klang Valley. The NV200 is listed with a manual only.
- Five-seat Semi-Panel Van. If you carry a crew and equipment, the Gran Max Semi-Panel seats five. The NV200 Semi-Panel is a two-seater.
- Pick-Up for custom bodies. The Gran Max Pick-Up can take steel, wooden, box, luton, chiller, freezer, hawker and mobile cafe bodies. The NV200 does not offer a pick-up.
- Longer warranty. Daihatsu covers the Gran Max for 5 years or 150,000 km, whichever comes first, against 3 years or 100,000 km listed for the NV200. Daihatsu's website lists its authorised service centres and its door-to-door mobile service.
- Tight turning. The Gran Max has a 4.9 m turning radius, helpful in older shop-lot lanes.
- Longer cargo floor. With the engine under the seats, more of the van's length is cargo space, which helps with pipes, furniture and large boxes.
Where the NV200 wins
- More power and torque: 108 hp and 152 Nm against 97 hp and 134 Nm, which you will notice with heavy loads and on hills.
- Bigger fuel tank: 55 litres versus 43 litres means fewer fill-ups on long runs.
- Larger body: 4,400 mm long on a 2,725 mm wheelbase, against 4,045 mm and 2,650 mm for the Gran Max.
- Comfort on long trips: with the engine at the front, the cabin is usually quieter and the ride smoother, which matters if your drivers travel between states.
Fuel economy: be careful with the numbers
Daihatsu quotes 13.3 km/L for the Panel Van MT and 13.5 km/L for the AT. Nissan's rated figure is 7.14 L/100 km, which works out to about 14 km/L. They are measured under different test conditions, so treat them as similar rather than ranking one above the other. Real consumption depends on load, traffic and driving style.
Which should you choose?
- Mostly city delivery, automatic preferred: Gran Max Panel Van AT.
- Carrying a team plus tools: Gran Max Semi-Panel Van.
- Need a custom body (food truck, chiller, box): Gran Max Pick-Up.
- Long highway runs, heavy loads, or drivers who travel between states: test-drive both; the NV200's extra power and comfort may matter.
The best test is your own route and cargo. Visit our Petaling Jaya showroom to see the Gran Max with your load measurements in hand, or WhatsApp us for a quote.
FAQ
Is the Gran Max cheaper than the NV200? Similar. Our Panel Van MT is RM79,458 OTR without insurance against RM79,800 for the NV200. Compare itemised quotes.
Does the NV200 come in automatic? The listings we checked show a 5-speed manual only.
Is the Gran Max rear-wheel drive? Yes. The NV200 is front-wheel drive.
Which is more comfortable for long drives? The NV200, because its engine sits at the front. The Gran Max is better for town deliveries and bulky cargo.