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 101 through 110 of 969.00-
I love my quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
By TaraJ - November 22 - 10:00 amI love my 2004 Quest. I have 3 small children and it is so easy to get them in and out. My family and I also just took our first summer vacation with our new van, and the Quest did amazingly well on the 5,000 mile drive.
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Guess what? - 2007 Nissan Quest
By guess what? - November 8 - 9:43 amI have a 4x4 2006 frontier 4dr and Mitsubishi evo car how cool is that? told myself never ever buy a van. Van for Oldies. Guess what? I got married got kid on the way. I argued my wife coz she wants a van. go to nissan and got a good deal for my truck loyalty discount and a huge savings. I test drive it it was amazing run like a car smooth driving more engine power and the most important thing is it tows 3500 max better than my truck. very spacious superb design. only thing i dont like is the 2 front seats hard to lean on your back. I never thought that Ill drive a van........
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Quest needed repair - 2004 Nissan Quest
By southman - November 3 - 10:00 amThe speedometer quit working at 902 miles. Dealer replaced. One of the sky windows leaked and damaged a rear seat. Dealer replaced and repaired window. Gas mileage not what I expected.
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The Best MinIvan (If you can afford it.) - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Dale Weathers - November 3 - 10:00 amI looked at several Minivans both foreign and domestic, but when I saw the Quest, I was in love. I was going to settle for a Chevy Venture LT loaded because of the price and rebates,(My father worked for GM) but I just couldnt do it. I narrowed my choices down to the Odyssey and the Quest because of their quality. I was able to get the Quest for $29,800 out the door.
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Great Minivan - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Bill Grant - November 3 - 10:00 amAwesome car thats got zip and comfort I cant believe its a minivan....really, its great fun
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Drives like a wagon, roomy as a minivan - 2008 Nissan Quest
By AlphaForceX - October 27 - 5:13 amThis is our 1st mini-van and we had our eyes set on Odyssey and Sienna. After testing driving them all (Quest twice), we decided on the Quest due to the incentive and designs. It drives and looks like a wagon but is roomy as a minivan. The other cars especially the Sienna are very boring but Quest still looks fresh after 4 years (since 2004). The fuel economy is awesome for a 4000+ lbs vehicle. I could easily get 26+ MPG on the highway. Doesnt feel like driving a mini-van at all.
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not bad - 2001 Nissan Quest
By jots - October 17 - 10:00 amnice car a bit pricey
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Style For The Sexy Moms Of The Century - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Hott Mama - October 17 - 10:00 amIve really enjoy driving a mini van thats designed very much like a car,i have the fully loaded model that came with the sun roof and the sky views.This particular one also came standard with a 6 disc cd changer and DVD for the children to be able to enjoy long rides.Finally Nissan is in the game!
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Better Van Needed - 1999 Nissan Quest
By Godzilla - October 14 - 10:00 amNissan needs to upgrade their minivan. All other vehicles are excellent except for the this van. Ive owned all sorts of Nissan cars and this one is the most disapointing.
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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!
