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 Mini Van Available - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By danny chan - November 8 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the best design yet. It is roomy at the front and second row, but the third row is lake of leg room.

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  My wifes favorite and mine too - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By MB & MB - November 8 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I drove several minivans prior to buying the Quest. Interior parts in the Chrysler/Dodge product snapped off in her hands. The Toyota salesfolks were incredibly snotty. The Honda design was too long in the tooth. The Ford was solid but lacked the neat and clean interior design as well as adequate horsepower. The Nissans interior is soft, spacious, and accomodating. With 240 hp it has more than enough pickup. My wife drove it filled with luggage, my dog, and our two kids ALONE from MD to TX and the car never failed to support her or perform as anything other than advertised.

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  QUEST is the Best - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Nair - November 8 - 2:00 am

  This van attracted us with its good looks more than its competitors out there in the Market like Honda or Toyota. After the test drive, we didnt even consider the Honda or Toyota..The QUEST drives like a car and is one of the most spacious and comfortable minivan out there. Even the basic model without options was more than what we actually needed.Even though it wasnt a necessity, the sliding power passenger door and the power trunk door attracted us and we ended up buying the SL model. Weve driven this van for more than 1000 miles now and my family loves it...So far so good.

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  2 months and 5,ooo miles later - 2011 Nissan Quest
  By texas_daddy - November 4 - 4:05 am

  As should be expected my Quest continues to impress and delight my family. We recently took a road trip from Texas to Northern Wisconsin, over 2500 miles. The quietness of the Quest was great during the 40 hours on the road as was the soft yet controlled ride. I also got to test out the Quests ability to make a U-turn many times, no GPS. It is very tight turning radius and handles better than I expected from such a large vehicle.

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  Excellent Buy - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By DesertResident - November 3 - 1:23 am

  As a previous owner of a Quest, it was an easy decision to go back to it after a decade. The new Quest is even better than the one I used to own. In every way possible. It handles the road beautifully. Braking is excellent - a trademark of a Nissan. And if the looks can kill, 2006 Quest would be a serial killer. Best minivan your money can buy.

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  2004 Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By xjbuilder - October 9 - 10:00 am

  After test driving a Sienna and Odyssey, and looking at a poor Windstar, this is the minivan to buy, if this can be called a minivan. I have no idea yet on reliability, but the ergonomics are excellent, it is huge for six people and a lot of gear, it drives and rides excellently, and continues the trend of redefining the minivan. Really it is a long car with sliding doors. What a nice car. But there is nothing mini about it. Nay

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  Great Van - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By cgarris - October 5 - 6:24 pm

  This van has a nice interior and is easy to drive and park. Back up camera is very helpful. It has plenty of power to accelerate when needed.

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  Great Value - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Fred Brown - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Went out looking out for a typical minivan and found the Quest. Love the exterior styling even with out the roof rack. Nice power, good gas mileage (esp. after our 96 Explorer) and lots of standard features. Great Price!!!

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  Love this car/plane - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Homemom - September 8 - 12:06 am

  Like flying first class! It gets my family everywhere in comfort.

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  awesome - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Pete - August 27 - 11:20 pm

  Simply love it, my wife likes it even more due to the kids. Yes were happy