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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  Not too happy!!! - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Anita Love - August 9 - 5:33 am

  We are a family of 5. We purchased our Quest a year ago. We have been in and out of the dealership about 8 times. What an inconvenience when you have children. It started out with a bad leather installation. Next came the recalls. Now its the engine and bad connections between lights,door,and alarm. When ever we think something is fixed,and leave the lot something else goes wrong. A direct quote from the dealership "we only sell them we dont make them" and after talking to the service manager he said "would I ever buy a Quest? No Way!" So thats our experience. Good luck to the rest of you. My advice "dont do it" look around.

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  reliable family vehicle - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By Tallahasse Family - July 29 - 2:06 pm

  Very reliable, only problem was VCR & it was under warranty. Very comfortable on long trips, video and lots of power outlets for kids stuff is great. 19 mpg in town.

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  Never Thought I would Buy a Van - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By M.J. RAINES - July 25 - 12:10 am

  I have driven other vans at work;however, when I test drove this van I was impressed. I had my heart set on a Maxima but the wife quickly changed that. We ended up buying this van and I have no regrets. I live in an area where its HOT. This van handles the climate well. I took the van out of town and was surprised with both the gas mileage and performance. I have taken my radar detector out of storage and now use it in this van. The only complaint I have is the interior controls seem cheap. Nissan should look into better quality parts.

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  quest s poor gas mileage - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Mooney - July 22 - 10:00 am

  The gas mileage on this vehicle is terrible compared to what it was advertized to be. I have had 5 recalls on this vehicle in the first 8 months of ownership and I think this is excessive for a new automobile.

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  3,000 miles and still going strong! - 2011 Nissan Quest
  By bigal1020 - June 21 - 5:51 am

  After having owned a new 2011 Nissan Quest SL for 2 months now I wanted to share some of my honest feedback. 1st we are still glad with our choice to purchase this van over the rivals of Toyota and Honda. The quality is amazing and the interior is very luxurious. My refrigerator recently went out and I was able to haul a brand new Maytag side by side refrigerator in the back of this van. If you need more space than that go buy a Uhaul. Not to mention I still had space in the back floor compartment. Also in every review you will read that the cubic feet is less in the Nissan with all seats folded. True but remember they are not counting the 30 cu ft you have in the back storage well.

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  Been a great one for me - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By kad - June 13 - 10:00 am

  This mini van has been excellant for us. Bought brand spanking new in 2000 and have about 55K on it now. It is fully loaded and everything still works. Have only done regular maintenance. Gas mileage might could be better. I have had a blast driving it. Ultimate "MOM" mobile. Removable middle seat captain chairs with a rear seat that can be moved right up in front to haul lots of stuff.

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  Was this Quest a good buy or good bye? - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Judys Quest - May 21 - 6:16 am

  Trade in 1999 Mercury Villager (Quest clone) with 120K miles. Except for tach, everything still worked. We thought that the Nissan Quest would be as reliable and useful but now we are wondering if the extra cost of a Honda or Toyota would have been a better choice. Maybe we should have bought used. On the way home, the button that slides the seatbelt adjuster up and down broke and fell into the door post. This was after 30 minutes of ownership. Three days later, my wife tells me that the A/C does not seem to blow as cold as it did when we got it.

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  Great Minivan! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Mike in Atlanta - March 22 - 10:00 am

  We just picked up our loaded 2004 Quest SE this weekend. So far no problems at all. My wife will need to get used to the center instruments, but its not that big of a deal once you drive it for a day or so. We traded in a Suburban for this van - we have 5 kids so we need lots of room! I love the folding seats - for us it was either this van or the Chrysler T&C. The Quests center shoulder belt in the 3rd row and its huge cool factor closed the deal!

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  Stereo and DVD System - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By ThienLongCongTu - March 16 - 10:00 am

  Bought my 2004 Quest in Sept 03. Put on a DVD system by the dealership. Eversince the first date, the stereo system has not been working right. Lot of statics on the radio both AM and FM . First the dealership blamed it on the DVD system because it is an after market system. No one had told me it will not work with the factory stereo system . Went back and forth 4, 5times the prblem is still there ...now the dealership said they dont know what to do and referred to Nissan . Nissan now said they have had similar problem with other Quests and it is trying to figure out how to fix it ... My second letter to Nissan about 1 month ago went unanswerred

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  Enhanced convenience and comfort - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By CarolAndDavid - February 12 - 1:56 pm

  Overall I cant imagine being more happy in any other van, but I wouldnt give 10s to anyone, hence the 9s. It drives and handles a little better than our 2004SE. Controls are more intuitive. Although still getting used to the new information display, its been very nice so far. Overall arrangement is a little crammed, and the center storage area disappoints. Although that could just be my unique way of using storage areas, unquestionably if you liked the ability in 2004 models to swing your legs around to get in the back area from the front, thats no longer easy to do. Phone and DVD systems work very well and the audio ROCKS!