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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Agrees with the "lemon" review - 2004 Nissan Quest
By mirandayin - August 18 - 10:00 amWith my new 2004 Quest, power window went dead after 1 month. Windshield Wiper - to date, replaced 3 times, still not hugging windshield. Air vents fell out during first week. Loose seat covers - after 2 months, fabric sagged as though they were used for years. Skirt under seat - left "hanging", improper installation. Radio Static on all AM stations Weather stripping comes off, occurs again even after new stripping installed. DVD pops in and out after engine shut off; a new dvd player was re-installed. Front windows rolled all way down on its own after I locked and left the vehicle.
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2004 nissan nxtgen - 2004 Nissan Quest
By quest 04 - April 9 - 10:10 amseats are not comfortble. rattling in roof, rear windows when open. had to have front rotors turned to prevent ongoing vibration at my cost - should be nissans cost. front panel under engine fell off - not properly fastened. vehicle sold with outdated navigation system. had to purchase new version for $199.00 van is too long could be more compact
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Dont buy Nissan!!! - 2009 Nissan Quest
By yv13 - February 14 - 1:16 pmI have certified Pre-Owned 2009 Nissan Quest with 36,500 mi. Before 30K I had to change driving belt, less then 36K front and back brakes changed and rotors on the back were so bad that mechanic could not cut them and had to be replaced. Now I have problem with AC Compressor ( over $1,000 to repair) and look like struts going out too. Nissan refusing finansial assistance with repairs of their low quality cars! DONT BUY NISSAN AT ALL!!!
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1500 miles and that was it - 2006 Nissan Quest
By Tom - February 4 - 10:00 amI hated this thing the very next morning, while staring into its windshield, which reflected back at least 60% of its own dumb dashboard. In my (admitedly weak) defense, it was already dark the day before, but I trusted that car makers knew better. Was I wrong! Nothing fit right, it twisted and rattled, switches fell off, mileage claims did not measure up to claims. The drivers seat wants you off like a bull at a rodeo.... I continued hating it, finally set a limit on my patience, until the first oil change. When 1500 miles finally (!) came up, I traded it in one heartbeat for new Acura MDX and was happy ever since.
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Hate this van! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By weymouth, ma - October 5 - 10:00 amThis is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. The sunroof broke, the radio has now broken 5 times, the driver-side window gets stuck, the gas tank door broke, the vents in the ceiling in the back literally fell out and the car is a piece of junk. The drivers seat is so uncomfortable my husband cant even drive the car and he is only 511" and 185 pounds. The electric sliding door works 50% of the time as does the electric back door. I would not recommend this car to my worst enemy. Something breaks daily. Then I was told that in order to take advantage of the warranty that I would have to take it to the dealer I purchased it at even though there is a closer dealer down the street. UGH!
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Worst car ever - 2004 Nissan Quest
By soccermom - March 21 - 8:40 pmEverything about the 04 Nissan quest has been a disaster. The brakes go bad quickly, the windshield wiper just stopped working one day, the interior features (ceiling lights) just fall off when the doors are closed, the seats are coming apart, esp the back seats with the skirts, the tailgate door handle fell off, the compression stick in the tailgate door fell off, the radio never gets good reception... and on and on. I dont have enough characters remaining to list all the problems!!
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Dont Buy this JUNK - 2006 Nissan Quest
By FREEDOM RINGS - December 10 - 9:50 amWe are SO relieved to get rid of this junk. We traded our Nissan minivan in for a new Toyota Sienna. The biggest difference is the customer service. Nissan was incompetent, unresponsive, and useless in solving our problems. We too settled with the Lemon Law Practice and cashed in after fighting for 2 years with Nissan headquarters. I even wrote a letter to the CEO himself. So much for the "customer is always right". After 11 recalls, 4 rentals, 19 visits in less than two years there were still problems. Nissan took the fun out of having a new vehicle. Toyota put the fun right back in! I have had the Toyota for nearly 4 months and not one problem. They have been terrific!
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nissan sucks - 2002 Nissan Quest
By bill7638737 - November 25 - 3:16 amthis van stinks
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Worst car I ever owned - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Mirna - July 8 - 10:00 amI owned a Nissan Quest 2004 3.5 SL that has 66,556 miles, I was very happy with this car until last September, when out of the blue my Nissan will brake down in the middle of the beltway or stall if I stopped at a red light or stop sign, the engine will die completely with no warning signs, I took this car to the dealer Passport Nissan of Alexandria VA for the 3rd time yesterday because my van keep stalling any time I drive under 5mph or brake to a stop. This after I was told for 2nd time that they fixed the problem in a message they left me saying we were able to duplicate the problem and fixed, we had to re-program the engine idle, that is fixed we drove it many times today and definitely
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Youll get good at installing brake pads - 2005 Nissan Quest
By msce2 - March 4 - 1:42 pm2005 Nissan Quest - Quality issues We purchased the car with 16k mi in 2008. Car now has 55k mi. We have replaced the struts in the tailgate door $700, motor in tailgate door $650, 4 sets of brake pads (front & rear), 3 sets of tires. Gas gauge does not work properly, sliding side door will sometimes decide not to close so you have to turn it on manual to shut, other side door freezes shut in winter time, rear windshield wiper has not worked since buying, a/c is intermittent, skirts that are supposed to hide under captains chairs will not stay attached and cause tripping hazards. Van avgs 16mpg overall, but a measly 13mpg city driving.
