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:
Showing 91 through 100 of 969.00-
new - 2002 Nissan Quest
By hawaiian - April 17 - 4:56 amJust picked up this van and i think its a good deal. Nissan did a good job keeping this design fresh until the new 2003 model appears (rumored anyway) The interior is a big improvement over the old model and the size perfect for in-town/parking garages. The Nissan P/up, Altima, and Sentra I had were all reliable and never gave me any problems.
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timing chain - 2005 Nissan Quest
By retha - March 24 - 7:00 pmI love my Nissan, and it fits my family really well.It is really beautiful and everyone that sees it tells me what a nice vehicle it is.It has a smooth ride and is very comfortable.
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For want of a fuse...... - 2004 Nissan Quest
By teachermom - March 21 - 10:00 amThis is beyond doubt the safest, most comfortable van our family has owned. We love it. However, the interior light fuse blew within a week, and after replacement, within four days, again!The dealership cannot find the problem. Even the seemingly odd placement of the radio is a safety feature....no leaning over WHATSOEVER is necessary. The design for front-end collision with drop-down engine, tent-folding hood, etc., plus the all-the-way-around airbags has us feeling as safe as possible on the road. Now if we can just get those lights to stay on.......
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Durable Van - 2002 Nissan Quest
By corsicachevy - January 24 - 4:06 pmI have enjoyed a trouble free first year of ownership. What attracted me to the Quest is the vehicles reputation for long-term durability and low up-front cost. Admittedly, this vehicle is no longer on the cutting edge. The engine is old and a little weak, but it does have decent low end torque. The body does groan and moan a bit - I suspect this van was designed before the push for super-rigid body structures. I love the interior, handling and over-all appearance of the vehicle.
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My first non gm - 2004 Nissan Quest
By kfj743 - January 15 - 10:00 amsky light leake fixedd, was replaced, right rear door had rattles,fixed somewhat
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Beware of Toyo A22 Tire Wear - 2012 Nissan Quest
By Lawrence Blind - December 27 - 1:11 pmThe original tires on our Quest, Toyo A22, have worn to the wear bars at 22,800 miles. After some online research I have discovered that others have also noticed and complained about this. Our vehicle is driven around town for usual family outings, and a couple of longer out of town trips. Our Firestone dealer, who services the vehicle and rotates the tires regularly, said there is no OEM warranty on the tire, either from Nissan or Toyo. Others have commented that the tires were likely not sized correctly by Nissan to handle the vehicle weight, and we think there is something to this argument. The only other conclusion is that the Toyo A22 are a very cheap tire thrown on a new car to save a few $$. Either way, we are very disappointed that we need to replace the tires with such low mileage on them, and we will certainly avoid purchasing either new Toyo tires or any vehicle with them in the future.
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Mixed Review - 2006 Nissan Quest
By cbnbuilder - December 23 - 6:40 pmWe have owned our 2006 Quest for 2-1/2 years. It has 61,000 miles. All recommended service performed by Dealer. Although the van has been reliable till recently, the transmission went out two weeks ago (1,000 miles outside the warranty period). After much (too much) debate and pleading, Nissan covered the repair ($4100). When we picked the van up from our dealer, the windshield was busted... were still debating their responsibility. I find the seats to be very roomy but uncomfortable. Front seat feels like you are sliding out of them toward the steering wheel, makes you kind of hold on to wheel to brace yourself all the time. Original Goodyear tires were noisy and wore poorly.
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Poor mileage - 2002 Nissan Quest
By greyes - December 12 - 10:00 amI love the van except for the mileage! When I purchased the vehicle, it was rated at 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. I have driven the van for a little over 13,000 miles now, and the most I get is 14.8 mpg city and 15.8 mpg highway. I contacted the Nissan Dealership and Nissan Headquarters in Gardena, California, but all I got was the standard answer ("Those are tests performed on perfect conditions"). Needless to say, I am very disappointed with the mileage. My friend has a Honda Oddyssey and he is getting the rated mileage.
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Bad auto mechanic - 2005 Nissan Quest
By Hi - November 10 - 12:20 pmThis van is huge. It has a lot amount of space for all seven people. then theres the problems. Fist two days after buying the van the service light went on. We take it to the dealership and the catalytic converter is bad. We leave for a ten hour trip the next day. They gave us a rental for a month! Then just couldnt fix the van. When we got it back it was making some weird noise. Take it to the shop, They cant here it. Thats only the start. This vans been in the shop over 13 times, in 9 months. The next problem is the cheap booty materials. The worst part is how low it is. We live in the boondocks and we always bottom out. Although it has a smooth ride when its not broke.
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Very Good Van W/few problems - 1999 Nissan Quest
By Quest owner - November 4 - 9:16 amThis has been a very good van for our family for the past seven years. It has been very reliable and a pleasure to drive. The fuel injection system does require cleaning every 30K miles or the pedal will "stick". The interior features have much to be desired, the cupholders, TV/VCR,and seat handles, side vent window latches, are not of good quality. The display of the radio has faded out for a couple of years now, the radio still works however. We are beginning to experience some electrical problems with the power vent windows, turn signal, and window/door lock controls. Overall we have been very pleased with the van and with 84K miles some repairs are to be expected.
