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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JUDGE FOR YOURSELF - 2002 Nissan Quest
By FOTOMAT - May 5 - 10:50 pmAFTER DECIDING TO ADD A VAN TO OUR STABLE OF FAMILY VEHICLES, A MERCEDES SUV AND A VOLVO SEDAN, I BEGAN TO SHOP AROUND, COMPARE FEATURES AND DIG UP THESE REVIEWS. BASED ON THE ACTUAL TEST DRIVE AND REVIEWING THE LIST OF FEATURES, I DECIDED THAT THE QUEST VAN WAS BEST SUITED FOR ME. IT HAS THE MOST CONVENIENT LAY OUT OF INTERIOR, VERY COMFORTABLE SEATING WITH THE QUAD CAPTAIN CHAIRS, EXCELLENT FINISH BOTH INSIDE AND OUT, ADEQUATE PERFORMANCE AND WAS DEFINITELY THE MOST FUN TO DRIVE.
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dads rocket - 2004 Nissan Quest
By nimmer - May 4 - 2:00 amLook at it ! Father of two now, and proud to fly in and out of mall, grocery, or home depot... dont care Im driving the quest!
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The Best Quest! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By D. Brewer - May 4 - 2:00 amThis is our second Quest and we couldnt be happier. The center console is very convenient and there is room for everything! We love the DVD with cordless headphones, and it handles like a dream! The dual power doors are perfect for families on the go and the remote door open function is priceless! We are very happy with our new Quest and wouldnt trade it for anything. Did I mention the neat bag to keep the headrests in if you have to take them off for your car seat to fit properly? Or the grocery bag hooks? Pure genious!
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#1 - 2004 Nissan Quest
By jakelacm - April 17 - 10:00 amThe Quest is the best car in the world.
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First time mini van owner - 2012 Nissan Quest
By jcc36 - April 6 - 7:47 pmThe time came for our family to purchase a minivan, under protest by myself. We previously owned a Jeep Commander but needed to go bigger. We looked at the Toyota Sienna and the Nissan. Wasnt too keen on the Honda or Chrysler styling. The Nissan has a very unique look that both my wife and I liked. We liked the Sienna also but it seemed for van like to us. One of the best features is the interior, very very nice compared to the Toyota. People complain about the storage with the fold down seats but its plenty big for us. Besides, the cargo area behind the rear seat is massive.
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OHMomof5 - 2005 Nissan Quest
By jod5 - April 6 - 9:51 amI purchased the 2005 Quest SE fully loaded 10/05/04 having traded my 2001 BMW 325i. Almost nine years later, the van has safely taken my family 101,100 miles and counting. I have travelled across the USA and Canada, typically alone with four of my daughters. IÂve only had two upsetting issues. First, I had a ground fault issue around 40,000 miles that delayed a trip home for a couple hours. Then recently, the alternator failed 375 miles from home and involved almost 100 miles of towing and a rather costly repair bill. However, alternators do fail and the ground fault, although inconvenient, was minor. This van remains exceptional.
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AMAZING Minivan - 2004 Nissan Quest
By PRAaron - March 29 - 10:00 amThis minivan amazes me each and every time I see and drive it. It almost drives like a sports sedan, its quiet, comfortable, has a great ride, great road feel and handling for a minivan - heck for ANY car! - Its GREAT looking and so NOT conventional! I get looks EVERYWHERE I go - people seem very impressed by a cool looking minivan. This minivan TRUMPS every other one out there, hands down in my opinion.
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Loaded without options - 2004 Nissan Quest
By MacG - March 23 - 2:00 amWe bought the base model without many "extras" and still it seems pretty well loaded. We got the fold-down seat package-- spectacular. We fit a 7 Christmas tree inside, with our two kids in the second row, and were still able to close the rear door. Im 64" and am finally driving a vehicle with decent head and leg room! And the 2nd row seats slide back so that my seat back doesnt crush the second row passenger. I love the look of the centrally located instruments, and the sight lines are perfect. My neighbors all had to check it out when we brought it home. They loved the body style, and were wowed again by the interior.
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A minivan with style - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Perry Ward - March 23 - 2:00 amThis is the style leader for minivans. Great power, ride and gas mileage. Have had several squeaks and rattles, dealer finally got most of them fixed and its quieter now. Defects in windshield and new one also bad but the attempted switch cured some of the wind noise. Third hasnt come in yet. Also wind noise in sunroof, use cover for quiet.
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Feels Like A Luxury Car - 2005 Nissan Quest
By Riogrant - March 16 - 2:20 pmWho says a minivan cant be fun to drive?...I personally thought the only thing I would drive with mini attached to it would be a Mini Cooper. However with our second child coming in January we began looking for something with more space. After shopping the competition we were happy to find a mini van with everything we wanted and more. We purchased the SE with smoke exterior and rouge interior. It truly is a piece of art. The fit and finish is perfect. Everyone I have given a ride to comments on how un-mini van like it is...and how it is very sporty and fun. My wife and I have been big Volkswagen fans for years. This van makes me want to go 100% Nissan.
