Overview & Reviews
The Nissan Quest has typically had a supporting role in the minivan market. The first two generations, in particular, were rather anonymous and subpar. The more recent third-generation Quest made a huge leap ahead in terms of styling and performance, though it, too, never really caught on with the public.
The newest and latest fourth-generation Nissan Quest, however, is the most competitive model yet. Its bold styling, interior refinement and smooth V6/continuously variable transmission (CVT) place it firmly in the discussion among the leaders of the pack: the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.
Current Nissan Quest
The Nissan Quest minivan is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 making 260 horsepower, put to the ground through a CVT. There are four trim levels: S, SV, SL and LE.
The base S is sparsely equipped for a minivan, but still offers an auxiliary audio jack and a few other niceties. The SV adds a wealth of other items such as alloy wheels, power-sliding doors and high-tech items like Bluetooth and an iPod interface. The SL trim is more luxurious thanks to its leather upholstery and one-touch folding third-row seats, while the top-trim LE gains a navigation system and an advanced "Around View" parking camera, while offering an optional panoramic moonroof spanning nearly the length of the roof. The kids will be thankful that a DVD entertainment system is available on all but the base S.
Inside, the Quest's controls are logically grouped on the center stack and easily navigable. Interior materials are the best you'll find in a minivan, with the leather-appointed cabins in the range-topping trims feeling especially premium and luxurious. On the downside, the Quest's standard second-row captain's chairs eliminate the option for an eighth passenger. And although the Quest's seats fold neatly into the floor, this design results in about 40 cubic feet less cargo capacity than other mainstream minivans.
Overall, though, the Quest is a legitimate, if commonly overlooked, choice for a minivan. Thanks to its compliant ride, composed handling and smooth power delivery, it should serve families quite well.
Used Nissan Quest Models
The current, fourth-generation Nissan Quest was introduced for 2011. There have been no significant changes since then.
The third-generation Nissan Quest was produced from 2004-'09 (there was no Quest for the 2010 model year). At its debut, it shook up the minivan world with its avant-garde body styling, unique cabin design and a marketing campaign that did its best to disassociate the van from its soccer mom image. The Quest's pillar-style center stack was certainly distinctive, but the multitude of similar buttons made operating often-used functions a hassle. Thankfully, the busy center stack was replaced by a much more user-friendly layout in a 2007 refresh.
All Quests of this generation were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 235 hp, and power was sent to the front wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. Four trim levels were available -- the base 3.5, 3.5 S, 3.5 SL and 3.5 SE -- each with an increasing number of features and conveniences. Oddly enough, none of these trim levels included rear seats -- forcing customers to pay extra for a seat package that included second-row captain's chairs and a flat-folding rear bench.
This Quest had a few things in its favor, including a roomy interior and handling that was a cut above most other minivan competitors. However, downsides were numerous, including a third-row seat that wasn't split, a relative lack of cargo capacity and limited availability of stability control. Overall, minivan shoppers would be better served by other top choices in this segment.
The second generation of the Nissan Quest debuted for 1999. Offered in base GXE, midlevel SE and leather-lined GLE trims, this Quest featured a 3.3-liter V6 with 170 hp, as well as a unique sliding (but not removable) third-row seat that could be stowed right behind the front seats -- after the second-row seats were taken out. The van's questionable ergonomics, iffy build quality and poor crash test scores, however, made for a last-place finish in an Edmunds minivan comparison test. The model run continued through the 2002 model year, but there was no Quest sold for the 2003 model year.
Introduced in 1993 and sold through 1998, the first-generation Nissan Quest had a 151-hp 3.0-liter V6. Base XE and uplevel GXE trims were offered and seven-passenger seating was standard. The biggest change for this generation occurred in 1996 when a minor face-lift yielded a new grille, bumpers, headlights, taillights and dashboard.
The first two generations of the Quest were rather anonymous and subpar. It might also be helpful during the shopping process to know that these Quests were also nearly identical to the Mercury Villager from the same time period. With either variant, however, minivan shoppers are still advised to consider better-ranking minivans first.
User Reviews:
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The Need for More Room - 2007 Nissan Quest
By CarNut - June 2 - 10:00 amI cant believe we just purchased a minivan. That was our thought over a year ago once we found out the twins were on their way. With a total of 3 kids, a large dog, and places to be we needed a larger vehicle. We looked at SUVs, crossovers, and we kept coming back to the minivan. For the cost and versatility, it won us over. The Nissan does everything well. Great power off the line, good gas mileage for hauling all of us avg about 20. On highway trips avg 25-26 mpg. The DVD screen is a hit with our 3 yr old and the wife and I love the rear power door. You get a lot for your money on the "S" version versus other makes and models. We picked up a used one for a great deal.
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Great Family Fun - 2004 Nissan Quest
By heatherty01 - May 29 - 2:00 amThis is a wonderful vehicle!! Great for my family, tons of room. Kids love the dual screen DVD.I love the headphone so I can listen to radio while they watch. Wish it came in all-wheel drive!!!!! That is the only negative I have found. Would be good to have here in the Northeast.
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I love it! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By proud soccer mom - May 29 - 2:00 amI had some major personal issues with the "soccer mom minivan" image, so I refused to drive one..until I saw the Quest! I have an SE with rouge interior and its the best, most stylish vehicle Ive ever owned. I traded a Lexus LX470 for it and I couldnt be happier. My kids love the ease of entry (auto sliding doors are great!) and the 2 DVD screens...I love the way it drives and the open feeling of the skylight roof.Its like piloting a plane..cockpit, cabin..I could go on and on. The interior is so much bigger than it appears from the outside. And oh, yeah..I love the automatic rear hatch. Great job Nissan...this "soccer mom" thanks you!
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Keep em Coming Nissan - 2006 Nissan Quest
By Love my new Quest - May 24 - 12:20 pmVan was purchased for easy access in a vehicle for my elderly mother. The most comfortable and often used vehicle by the rest of the family even when mom is no where around. Still trying to understand all the negative comments about the instrument panel. Look upwards or downwards, either way your eyes are briefly off of the road. Besides, after the first drive you dont notice it anymore and I have had no problems when switching back to our other vehicles.
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Stylish and Smooth - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Ekaiwo - May 24 - 10:00 amHandles like a car, tows and hauls like a truck. Quiet, nimble, quick.
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Love my Quest!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Babbies - May 24 - 10:00 amWe love the new design of the Nissan Quest - a little bit "space age". The vehicle feels more powerful to drive than the previous Quest. Fuel economy is also great - 19 mpg average - even while driving bumper-to-bumper California freeways.
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zoomzooom - 2004 Nissan Quest
By ed fab - May 24 - 10:00 amRoomy interior, nice looking, high above others
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2000 Quest a good vehicle - 2000 Nissan Quest
By beamingup - May 23 - 9:13 amFor a van, this is an economical and reliable model (much better than the Ford Windstar I owned previously). No major repairs required, just tires, oil changes, transmission fluid change. It has recently become noisier (air leaks, rattles, body integrity issues - NOT the engine - it is fine). Seats are not as comfortable as other vans - could use a little more support and/or padding, as well a little more leg room for rear passangers.
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Not worth the money - 2005 Nissan Quest
By Melissa Peterson - May 17 - 8:16 pmIve only had my Quest for less than 1 month and I do not love it. For the money, you get a lot and not having to remove the rear seats are a big plus but the driver seat doesnt provide enough support and I slide around when turning. The lumbar support is extremely uncomfortable. There are lots of rattles in the car which Nissan tried to fix but couldnt. I love the looks and the drive but thats about it.
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Never again - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Pier - May 16 - 10:20 pmOver a period of 22 months the vehicle has been 18 visits (6 of them combined with regular services) resulting in 22 days at the dealer, the vehicle generated 45 warranty-related repairs. The tires lasted 30K miles and required new brake pads at 27K miles. It is apparent that this car, if not legally a lemon, is definitely a buyback case due to the nuisance factor caused by poor quality. Nissan refuses to admit this. With 26 months left at the average rate of warranty incidents, the car is projected to return another 14 times (excluding scheduled maintenance). I strongly urge any prospective minivan driver to avoid the Quest on the grounds of poor build and service quality
