A series of CuO-ZnO-Al2O3-ZrO2-CeO2 nanocatalysts with different contents of ceria and zirconia were synthesized by novel oxalate gel coprecipitation method in alcoholic solution. The performance of these catalysts for conversion of methanol and selectivity toward hydrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide was investigated in methanol steam reforming reaction. X-ray diffraction, field emission electron microscopy, particle size distribution, EDX-dot mapping, BET and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques were used to obtain characterization of prepared nanocatalysts. XRD diffraction patterns displayed that the crystallinity and crystallite size of CuO (111) plane are increased by incrementing ceria and reducing zirconia loading. The FESEM analysis showed that using equal 10 wt.% of ceria and zirconia cause to best morphology and particle size distribution in CZAZ10C10 sample. Examination of catalytic, performance in methanol steam reforming reaction indicated that all fabricated samples via novel oxalate gel coprecipitation synthesis method have high methanol conversion even at low temperatures. Because of the best physicochemical features of CZAZ10C10 sample that was proved by various characterization techniques, value of methanol conversion especially at low temperatures and selectivity toward slight CO generation and much hydrogen production of this nanocatalyst were the best among all the other samples. Time on stream performance test of CZAZ10C10 sample showed that this catalyst is almost stable for long term use in methanol steam reforming reaction. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.