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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  Excellent Family Van - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By jod5 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Very nice van to drive that is relatively quiet. It does not feel as heavy and bulky as it really is. Fantastic acceleration, solid braking (althought soft pedal), and reasonable cornering ability. The kids love the dual screen DVD (I love the sound of silence that eminates from the rear). The Navigational System is wonderful. The center console design is really nice when the van is equipped with a Nav. system. Everything is right there in the center and your eyes track to the same area for speed and direction versus down for speed and over for direction. The AC and fan controls are right there also within easy reach. Passenger door ticking appeared at 500 miles (fixed).

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  Incredible Machine - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By majordude - January 11 - 10:08 am

  This is a spectacular van. Its pretty wide but handles well. We were looking for a new family car and compared honda, toyota, crossovers, and vans as well as the Town and Country. You have to step in one of these machines decked out in leather. We got the SV with leather package. Wow, best 32k you can spend on market. So luxurious.

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  good wheels - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By AJJ - January 2 - 10:00 am

  looks good lot of power beats all others honda comes close

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  Great Van! A++ - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By MGriffin - December 23 - 4:13 pm

  I got mine as an 04 left over in March of 2005 with 70 miles on it. It has ben a great van so far. Nissan extended the warranty for 04s from 3 to 5 years because of some minor bugs ie doors(which is bound to happen with any new model year)if this tells you about how they stand behind their vehicles. Looked at Honda and Toyota and got a MUCH better deal even if it hadnt been a left over. If your looking for a van definatley take a look at the Quest. The 06 seems to have even more features. If I still find I need a van in a couple years when its time to trade mine in I will go with the Quest again!

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  NISSAN SPACESHIP - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By EDWIN - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I CANT TELL YOU HOW HAPPY I AM WITH MY NEW QUEST. I WAS ORIGINALLY LOOKING FOR A 4 DOOR SEDAN, BUT WHEN I LAID EYES ON THE ALL NEW QUEST, I COULDNT LOOK BACK. WITH IT WELL EQUIPPED FEATURES, ITS MORE THAN A MINIVAN, I CALL IT MY NEW ENTERTAINMENT CENTER. WITH ITS FLIP DOWN LCD SCREEN POWERED BY A DVD PLAYER AND 8 SPEAKER SYSTEM. ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW. FORGET SITTING UPFRONT. I GOT THE BACK SEAT I THIS RIDE!

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  THE NEW BEST IN ITS CLASS - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By rxgirl1210 - December 6 - 6:30 am

  Two days ago, I traded in my 2011 Toyota Sienna LE for a 2012 Nissan Quest SV. I was a long time Toyota girl and always loved my vehicles immensely, but then Toyota decided to cut back way too much on quality and reliability that my recent van had to go!!! (see my review under 2011 Sienna). I never owned a Nissan before, but I was "wowed" at their vehicles. The newly designed Quest is a gem. It offers all the bells and whistles and more. They truly thought of everything. It is plush and soft to the touch on inside with easy accessibility to dash. Gorgeous on outside also. Take a look folks, youll be stepping into the new king of minivans. It will be tops!!!

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  The only one for me - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By bmesc - November 23 - 5:10 am

  Im a guy who has to drive a minivan. To be honest, I didnt even look at or consider any other minivan. Nissan is the only one that had any kind of style. I did wait until the 07 models due to the previous quality and design issues. Weve had it 5 months and we have not had any problems. It looks great, rides smooth, the interior has a clean, modern feel and it handles exceptionally well for such a big van. Everything is in reach and works as advertised. The red chili seats look great with the gray exterior and trim and they look unlike any other minivan. My only problem is getting the kids out of the van, they like it so much!

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  great car - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By chilih202002 - November 21 - 10:00 am

  very cool and fast.

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  What a minivan should be. - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By SinCityRX8 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Just love everything and is a head turner. What a gorgeous design, in and out. I now have more patience waiting for wife at the mall, just have to remember to take a DVD along. Christmas shopping shouldnt be as difficult anymore, for me that is. Between the Quest and the RX-8, I am having a ball.

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  Nissan Hits a homerun - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By pios95 - November 15 - 2:00 am

  We picked up our van 3 weeks ago and couldnt be happier. It is really a fun van to drive. Id have give it a 10 on "Fun to Drive," but it is still a minivan. It just wont corner like my Maxima does! The engine is very peppy (for a minivan) and the ride and comfort are flawless! We have one minor problem with the radio (hasnt been returned to be fixed yet), but no other quality problems at all. Its a great van with a lot of nice features that we werent even aware of until we got it home and studied it. Id highly recommend it.