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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 Nissan Quest

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Nissan Quest

Overview

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2009 Nissan Quest Review

By KBB.com Editors

Most of the 2009 Nissan Quest's minivan competitors are, stylistically, somewhat predictable, conforming to the basic notion of an engine in front and a big box behind for all the people and cargo. But, for the Quest, built at Nissan's Canton, Mississippi plant, the designers and engineers took a decidedly different tack in both exterior styling and interior execution, with a look that's modern and definitely won't get lost in a parking lot. Although a major freshening in 2007 moved the Quest a bit closer to the mainstream of the minivan market, it still stands out when placed side-by-side with offerings from Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Kia and Hyundai.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're in need of a minivan, but would enjoy taking the road less traveled, the Quest might be for you. While solidly improved on the inside, and with commendable on-road behavior, the Quest has an exterior that remains as distinctive as ever. Once inside, occupants will enjoy enormous utility in combination with good performance, great flexibility and one of the industry's best powertrains.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you don't enjoy drawing attention to yourself, the 2009 Nissan Quest, with an exterior that definitely stands out in a crowd, is probably not for you. Also, if you really don't need space for seven passengers or lots of cargo, you might appreciate something that's smaller and more nimble.

What's New for 2009

New automatic door locks and a new exterior color, Tuscan Sun, mark the major changes for the 2009 Nissan Quest.

Driving the Quest

Driving Impressions The 2009 Quest shares its basic platform with Nissan's Maxima, Murano and Altima. To that end, it not only delivers car-like ride and handling characteristics, but its on-the-road composure is...

more refined than might be expected of a minivan; you can be assured of accurate steering, competent braking and sure-footed roadholding. From a driver's standpoint, the eight-way adjustable seat contributes to improved visibility and, therefore, the probability of enhanced control. Finally, Nissan's 3.5-liter V6 and five-speed automatic transmission make for one of the better engine and transmission combinations in the segment.

Favorite Features

Unique Exterior
Nissan's design team has given the Quest a shape entirely its own. Yet, the daring design doesn't in any way diminish its functionality; this is a big box with big capability, but wrapped in a stylish exterior.

Fold-Away Seating
The second-row seat is exceedingly supportive and, when folded, it's almost completely flat. The third row accommodates passengers well, providing genuine comfort for full-size adults. With this packaging you can carry people, or things, or both, with lots of space for the things and plenty of comfort for the people.

2009 Nissan Quest Details

Interior

From its stylish dash and instrument panel to the excellent fit and finish of its high quality materials and textures, the Quest is one impressive minivan. Almost every surface is intriguing, catching your eye and begging you to touch it. Beyond the interior's tone and texture is a remarkable functionality. There is space galore, made all the better by the airy greenhouse, high ceiling (which delivers truly generous headroom) and fold-flat third-row seating. The seat design is worthy of note, looking and feeling almost like a contemporary display in an art gallery, while the steering wheel, although artfully designed, seems a little too plastic in texture.

Exterior

The front of the Quest starts with a very low cowl that leads into a sharp upsweep in the middle of the front doors. The nose incorporates a well-integrated grille and headlamp assembly that sweeps across the front. Even though it's unusual, we like it, and the Quest also receives high marks for the quality of the fit and finish, with door closures that sound closer to a Mercedes-Benz than a modern day minivan.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Standard equipment on the base 2009 Nissan Quest includes power mirrors, locks, and windows, air conditioning with second-row controls, tilt steering column, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD, traction control, tire-pressure monitoring and front, front-side and three-row side-curtain airbags. The S trim adds a power sliding rear passenger's-side door, power rear quarter windows, power liftgate and illuminated visor vanity mirrors. Move up to the SL and add 16-inch alloy wheels, power sliding rear driver's-side door, color information center, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, power adjustable pedals, power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, six-disc CD player, MP3 capability and upgraded speakers. The top-of-the-line SE includes 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, tilt-down mirrors, Bluetooth, power passenger's seat, memory for the driver's seat, heated front seats, leather for the first and second rows, Bose audio with ten speakers and subwoofer, XM Satellite Radio and Vehicle Dynamic Control.

Optional Equipment

Major option packages include DVD Navigation, SkyView power sliding glass moonroof, Driver's Power Package for the S trim, a Leather Package for the SL trim and a variety of Panasonic DVD Entertainment Systems for the S, SE and SL trim levels. There are also several stand-alone options and accessories.

Under the Hood

Among those manufacturers offering V6 engines in the range of three to four liters, Nissan's effort shines, and this powerplant is eminently well-suited to the task at hand. The DOHC 24-valve layout provides 235 horsepower and delivers that power, via a five-speed automatic transmission, in an entirely seamless manner, with good throttle response, excellent cruising capability and reasonable fuel economy.

3.5 V6
235 horsepower @ 5800 rpm
240 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Nissan Quest vehicles for sale near you.

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2009 Nissan Quest Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.4

Out of 10

Based on 339 Ratings for the 2004 - 2009 models.

Review this car

Value

7.7/10

Quality

7.6/10
Reliability

7.9/10

Performance

8.1/10
Comfort

8.3/10

Styling

8.4/10

STAY AWAY, BUY AMERICAN

By Minivan hater (PA) on Wednesday, May 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 103,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: Not Rated
Styling: 4/10
Comfort: 4/10

Pros: "Piece of junk"

Cons: "should have bought American"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"When I was looking at buying a minivan I looked at a lot of reviews. The quest seemed to be a decent buy for the money. What a mistake. This vehicle is awful in the winter. The traction control is terrible. Why would anyone want to slow down going up a hill with snow on it. I always ended up turning the t/c off when driving in snow. Every time the tires would think about spinning the front end would shake up and down like your driving over the rumble strips that would rattle your teeth. Hate to do any repairs to the thing because everything cost an arm and a leg. Like everyone else the sliding door doesn't seal tight. Every morning I would have to go outside to open the doors for my wife because they froze shut overnight. I felt like I was going to break the doors. The worst thing about nissan that I found out from my mechanic is that they don't use gaskets in their motors. They use silicone for their gaskets. Iver time the silicone breaks down and it starts to leak oil. The only way to fix the leak is to tear the parts off the motor and put on the stuff that didn't work before. it cost about $2000 to do this. Don't ever buy a nissan."

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Total LEMON!

By Bamboozled (CA) on Monday, April 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 120,000

10 3.0

overall rating 3 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 3/10
Value: 2/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 6/10
Styling: 4/10
Comfort: 9/10

Cons: "MONEY PIT!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"My family and I actually loved this car at first. Total comfort/luxury is what we thought. Smooth ride great handling, but then it all came to an end. The front motor mount kept breaking and you would think that the dealer would have said something after changing it, 3 times, but no. Then the transmission failed just before the warranty expired, thank goodness, they replaced it. Then just after 1 year later the replaced transmission failed, but of course the 1 year warranty for the replaced transmission had expired as well, along with a new loud clanking timing chain sound. The dealer service writer said the timing chain was commonly replaced with these cars at 120,000 miles. Now the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. What a mess! Approx $10,000.00 in repairs later (tires, brakes, tune ups, included),enough is enough. LEMON"

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Great engine and handling. Poor quality interior.

By MDBKA (NY) on Tuesday, April 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 80,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Quick and paid for."

Cons: "Overall quality not great."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"Engine is great. Acceleration is great. Handles like a car. Better looking than most vans. Seats are comfortable and very roomy. Good cargo space. Lots of cupholders. Interior components are CHEAP and feel like they will snap off. (Some have) Power sliding door once got stuck and then fell off when I tried to force it closed. Eventually, just straightened the hinge and cut the cable for the motor. Now manual door: problem solved! Doors always freeze closed in winter even though I silicone the weather stripping. Power hatch works most of the time. Nissan has a propensity for attaching aluminum components to steel underneath, so have had lots of rotted aluminum clanking around underneath. Cheap steel oilpan rusted through. Lots to like and lots to dislike. Probably second and last Nissan."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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I love this car. I bought it in 2006 and the only

By Nance (PA) on Tuesday, February 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 95,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"repairs I have had on this car is the replacement of rotors and brakes. The car is nice to drive and very dependable. The only negative thing is the mileage I get with it. It gets 18mpg but it really has the get up and go especially on entrance ramps. I know I am going to have a hard time finding a replacement for this car."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Great for the busy family

By McClan (AR) on Monday, February 11, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 146,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Fast, Powerful, easy to travel in."

Cons: "Fragile interior, plastic parts break easy."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Bought the van at 45K and now almost 150K. It has been very reliable and to present it has always returned us home with out fail. Do not like the middle seat cup holder location. You end up sitting on the plastic holder every time you exit and after a couple of times it breaks off. Repairs have just been the normal tires, brakes, bulbs and batteries. Great Runner!"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Great car....

By S.... (IL) on Saturday, September 29, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 113,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Strong , roomy , comfortable , responsive...."

Cons: "Could use better materials for interior....."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"We own this car for 8 years. Did many trips around midwest and south .Drove it to FL ( 3 times) and Niagara Falls. Summer weekly trips to Indiana , Michigan or Wisconsin , from Chicago suburbs. So far i had to replace tires , brakes and oil of course. As I write this review my car is in the shop for general maintenance and some fixes.My Nissan has 113K on it , mostly driven by my wife. Never a major problem.I mean my car.....My mechanic just called and said that we need to change tires , front and rear brakes , transimssion fluid is getting brownish, A/C unit has to be refilled ,a control pannel replaced (short circuit on switches or something like that), need a wheel alligment ,new belts ,new schock absorbers ....Seems like a lot's of things , but after that many miles i think that's pretty fair amount of things to be replaced. And because i bought it brand new and i love this van , I am fixing all problems and gonna keep it for another 5 years.No car ( even those expensive ones) can go without a wear forever....Once more , great car ....."

17 people out of 17 found this review helpful

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See all 339 reviews