Nissan NV 3500 Passenger Review - The Pros & Cons of Using the NV for Outdoor Road Trips!

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The Nissan NV 3500 Passenger van is our go-to vehicle for camping trips, pulling our boat, and road tripping across the United States to visit National Parks and other amazing places. This review covers the pros and cons of having this van after owning it 3 years and putting over 62,000 miles on it. Ours is a 2016 model bought new in April 2017.
Overall, we love traveling in this van and it is a great tow vehicle for our 2017 Sylvan pontoon boat, but there are a few things Nissan could change to make this van even better. I also cover some things to watch out for if buying this van on the used market.
If you are considering getting a Nissan NV, check out this video!
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[@maxenra]

Family of 8 here checking in. Sold my new pickup truck in 2017 and bought a leftover model 2016 NV 3500 passenger. The draw for us then was that we knew our kiddos were going to get bigger and the Nissan is the only passenger van with the truck front end that I know of which makes maintenance easier imo. We've used it as our "family" vehicle and only have about 35k miles on it right now but absolutely love the comfort and the room it affords us and the kids. Also, its technically a one-ton truck and we use it to tow and it does great. When we've needed to we can remove the seats and have extra room. Love ours since we bought it and enjoy giving and getting the "wave" from fellow owners as its popularity rises.

[@KempOutside]

Thanks for checking in! It sounds like the NV is the perfect vehicle for you. It is a shame Nissan is discontinuing them. Thanks for watching!

[@pistolgirl33]

Really appreciated your honest review! I definitely will look on the roof too now when we go check out a 2019 NV 3500 SL this Friday. I love the look of this vehicle. Unfortunately, the market right now is not really making 10+ seaters that look this good. I agree with you on the warranty on Ford, but I also don't think I ever want to own a Ford, so I didn't even look at the Transit. I have a 2020 loaded Pacifica, but we are needing the space for future mission trips. I am scared a bit about driving it, because it is definitely more vehicle than I have ever driven, but you brought up you will get used to it and I felt a little better about it. Thank you again!

[@moretoexplore6736]

very informative. nice to get a review from someone with a lot of outdoor experience. I will be following you.

[@KempOutside]

Thanks for watching and the compliment!

[@rxd5]

Very good review video Thank you!

[@KempOutside]

rxd5 thank you!

[@Flyingaceful]

Nice review!!

[@KempOutside]

Flyingaceful thanks for watching!

[@krisbohn4118]

Great Review !!!

[@KempOutside]

Thanks!

[@mauriciovillarreal8482]

Complete. That s the word. VERY COMPLETE REVIEW!!!! WOW.

[@KempOutside]

Mauricio Villarreal thanks! And thanks for watching!

[@mauriciovillarreal8482]

Thanks to you. So I read the MPG is just like 11 city. 13 hwy??? Im just almost ready to buy one. 2015. 46,000. Millas. $24,000. Blue outsite. Beige inside just like yours. Leather. WHAT ABOUT THW MPG????

[@KempOutside]

Mauricio Villarreal I’d say I get a combined 13 mpg. I probably get more like 14 on the highway and 12 in the city. But I try to drive where I’m conserving gas. If you are getting on the accelerator a lot 11/13 is probably accurate. It’s a big V8 and it gets thirsty!

[@thechosen5805]

Great review! Very detailed, thinking of purchasing this van with the newer motor they put in them in 2017

[@KempOutside]

I really wanted the newer transmission with more gears as I thought it would help with fuel economy. But there were some complaints about the 2017s when they first came out. Haven't heard much since so I'm guessing Nissan got that under control. Thanks for the comment!

[@FamiliaRamirezFOOTAGE]

I wanted one if these as our everyday vehicle!

[@KempOutside]

It is an awesome family hauler! We love ours.

[@rossbo75]

Kadoka Gas Stations have the best chicken gizzards. Thanks for the overview.

[@offairhead]

Just bought an Nv 3500 passenger and looking forward to converting it into a part time camping rig.

[@KempOutside]

That’s a great use for an NV! Hope you post a KZbin video of your conversion!

[@JJ-gc8du]

Great video...almost EVERY question answered. But...without the seats, what are the dimensions of the cargo space? Considering a conversion to a camper...and only want to do it once. Well done!

[@KempOutside]

Great question! I don't have the answer right now but I will measure the space from the front seats to the back doors and the width between the side walls and between the wheel wells tonight and get back to you.

[@psantibanez72]

There is a Nissan dealership in Utah which adds the 4x4 to these vans.

[@KempOutside]

I think there are actually 2 dealerships in Utah that convert them. I know one is Tim Dahle Nissan but I'm not sure what the name is for the other one. There are two really good Facebook groups for these vans and there is a wealth of information there on 4x4 conversions.

[@BrandonWest87]

Thanks for the review Kevin! You guys have logged some SERIOUS miles in 3 years, which really gave you a lot of hours to nitpick things. All in all, I’d say the van is a winner with as few flaws as it has in all those miles! We are a family of soon to be 6, so while our Odyssey will fit 4 kids all the way around, it won’t fit all of our gear on trips very well. I’m considering this van and pulling the fourth row to give us ample seating, while also freeing up that rear area for cargo. What are your thoughts sir? Also, due to the quality of your review (and I loved the pic montage at the end!) I’ve liked and subscribed! Take care man.

[@KempOutside]

Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! I do really love this van and it has been a great performer for us. I have almost 80K miles on it now. I almost never have the 4th row of seats in and I carry a lot of camping and fishing gear as well as suitcases and coolers. While I wish it had more room. we do get a lot of stuff in the van itself. We also use a cargo rack on the back and I highly recommend the one we got. Here is a link to the review we did on it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqa3nGCDbpuHl9E

[@BrandonWest87]

@@KempOutside Good to know! We do have the harbor freight folding hitch cargo rack that we’ve used in the past back when we had an ‘18 VW Atlas, before we realized a three row SUV just wasn’t at all optimal for our needs. When we switched to our Odyssey, it sits far too low for me to comfortably have that hitch carrier on there, heck, our hitch ball itself drags the driveway apron on the way out. Have you considered a roof cargo rack for the top? I’ve seen some of the custom ordered NV vans with the 4x4 up fit having a MASSIVE roof basket. Just wondering how I’d secure cargo to that. We have a Thule cargo box for our van and it works well, though I’d imagine I could fit 4 of those on the NV roof with the right crossbars! 😄

[@KempOutside]

I have toyed with the idea of a roof rack but they are very expensive. I had a friend of mine build a front hitch mount for the van that we use for a bike rack right now but I have some other ideas as well. I may have my friend build a roof rack (he keeps wanting to do it!) but I just haven't gone for it yet. Here's the video for the front hitch mount if you haven't seen it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHi0maxjbr6UppI

[@BrandonWest87]

@@KempOutside Oh dude! I meant to say this earlier, if you guys come up around the Huntsville Alabama area, we have some great camping sights to see here. If you stay in Monte Sano state park, we can show you guys the hike to “The Natural Well” shaft cave. That thing is a smooth walled HUGE hole straight down. We’ve also got Cathedral Caverns State Park near here as well that has some beautiful caves! Best of luck in your adventures. I’m going to go check out some of your other camping videos!

[@KempOutside]

That sounds awesome. We want to hit some spots in Alabama. Other than driving through, I haven't spent much time over there since I spent Thanksgiving on Guntersville a few years ago. I'd love for my kids to see the NASA center there as well. I will let you know when we have a trip planned for that area!

[@Jose-xm3tq]

Biggest problem I have with the NV3500 is Gasoline Capacity... Its 28 Gal, and for its MPGs thats terrible. There needs to be an Extra tank by where the spare tire goes. Besides that it's a very solid Rig. Tim Dahle Nissan Is great, and offer fantastic Support!!!!

[@KempOutside]

I totally agree! I wish the NV had either a larger tank or two tanks!

[@TheAbraxas87]

How does it work with dropping the pontoon boat down the boat ramp? Worried about submerging the back cargo doors / back into the water.

[@karenk3593]

You mentioned getting only 8mpg when towing. What do you average on road trips without towing? Thanks. Really great video.

[@KempOutside]

We get about 12 mpg.

[@karenk3593]

@@KempOutside Thanks :-) I wonder how adding the 4x4 by Tim Dahle would affect mileage. I'm liking that option & glad you mentioned them.

[@KempOutside]

@@karenk3593 I would love a 4x4 conversion. Not sure how that would affect mileage but I’d assume some drag. Maybe a half mpg.

[@md8744]

Economy van instead of thinking about RV over 90k though. Good for relax on long trip, may lie down on floor 🤔 wow love it best for family of 4 or 5

[@KempOutside]

We have taken the seats out and it will fit a queen size air mattress. We love our #KempBus!

[@psantibanez72]

Did you add a break controller, for when your towing your boat?

[@KempOutside]

My boat trailer has surge brakes so there is no need for a brake controller. One of these days I will add one though as I'm hoping to get a camper eventually!

[@richardkrueger6654]

Just got my new 2020 NV sad they stopped production for 2021 lucky to get a 2020 still brand new no choice of color had to take White I have owned window vans sense 1973 with only 3 cars in between all those years needless to say I am a van daddy now a van old man The main thing I can say about the new van is holy foot room and the passenger holy holy foot room now let me say one thing about the euro vans I want my passenger and driver‘s door window to open open open not be stuck closed unable to open that was a dealbreaker for me with Ford Dodge sprinter Mercedes all of them with their headlights up on their fenders

[@KempOutside]

My family had Ford Econolines growing up. We traveled all over in those vans. Love the Nissan, just wish it had a passenger high top version.

[@Jose-xm3tq]

I own a 2020 v8 model.... Great so far (less the 100 miles) I too have the same Rust spots on top... Very annoying But they are helping getting it fixed also Tire pressure light was on so getting nissan to look into that. I got the "midnight" blackes out paint The grill paint completely came off exposing the chrome... In 3 days of owning it. Guess it can't handle Pacific northwest weather. ( also being taken care of) My biggest Complaint about the NV3500 is that you need to take it to a "Certified Dealership" which some are not and won't take it in. The 4x4 upgrade is 13k (which I have) its from a Titan and so far its great. Tow mirrors also Fold.. Rear Doors can be opened from the inside!!

[@JasonCohenphoto]

Just curious if the need to bring to a "certified dealership" is for all of the NV series? Trying to leave the Sprinter world because of this and that would be a huge bummer...

[@Jose-xm3tq]

@@JasonCohenphoto Not all Dealership Sell NV3500 You need to go to specific Dealerships, something about a "Status or title" IDK thats whatvI was told at my Local Nissan.

[@JasonCohenphoto]

@@Jose-xm3tq thanks for that info. Might end up being a deal breaker for me....

[@Jose-xm3tq]

@@JasonCohenphoto For what its worth, The 3500 has been great, Have taking it camping many times Completely Maxed out both inside and on the roof rack with RTT Shower extra gear and it has no Problem in the freeway hauling everything around.... It's biggest problem is Gas.. Maxed out on gear, ppl, etc.... 12 MPG. Mine is however, Completely Modded out. It has a 4x4 conversion. Avatar Bumpers front and rear, roof rack, 35s, 6 inch lift, dual exhaust.. So it might be higher on a Standard one. I'm guessing 15ish.. maybe more.

[@JasonCohenphoto]

Thanks for that. Did you consider the 2500 at all? I was thinking maybe the V6 could help a bit on the MPG front 😁

[@richardkrueger6654]

No kids anymore in the few in the picture now it’s just a little woman and me traveling in our NV van I do have one question how would you support a porta potty in the back of the van either corner would be fine I need to support it so it doesn’t fly around

[@KempOutside]

Maybe make a plywood base with 2x4s around the porta potty. That way it should hold it in place.

[@whispanic]

Apologies, if I missed it, what sort of MPG do you get city/highway?

[@KempOutside]

11 city 13 highway. 7-8 when towing my boat. Seems pretty typical of a V8. Thanks for watching!

[@whispanic]

Kemp Outside thanks man!

[@KempOutside]

@@whispanic my pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@abe2951814]

hello Sir i have question i am about to buy nv i have 4 kids should i buy high roof? or just low roof ? i just find out this car will stop making plz teach me which is better for camp i am planning to bring my 4 kids and camping outside a lot near FL area. Thank you Sir ~!!!!!

[@KempOutside]

The passenger version of the van only comes in the low roof. The high roof is cargo only unfortunately.

[@outinthebackyard7579]

How has this van been for you. Is it reliable, cheap to maintain, and are parts readily available

[@KempOutside]

I have just passed 90,000 miles with only minor maintenance required. This has been a fantastic van and really suits our needs. I have never had a problem getting parts but I haven't needed many.

[@drscooter86]

Are you still loving your NV?

[@KempOutside]

Yes! 80K miles and counting. It is perfect for us as we camp and pull the boat.

[@llano19fly]

Why don't they still make them for sale in USA?

[@KempOutside]

I don't know and believe Nissan is making a mistake.

[@jeffrey2199]

Trailer brake?

[@KempOutside]

Jeffrey Rydman not factory installed. But you can add one.

[@Sea1fly]

Geek

[@eduardo-joaquinquintana3533]

4:30

[@starlightandeverythingnice1650]

I want one but they're like 40k too much for me with that money I could get something else

[@KempOutside]

They are pretty expensive, but then again, so are most vehicles this size.

[@beezytalkingshit9319]

how many gallons of gas does it hold? I don't think you mentioned that. I know you said you get like 325miles til empty right.

[@KempOutside]

It is a 28 gallon tank.