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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  The worst initial quality on the market - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Ryan - May 10 - 12:16 pm

  I purchased a 2004 Quest in March of 04. I have been disappointed ever since. In the 11 months that I have owned the vehicle, I have accumulated a total of 23 quality problems that need to be addressed by the dealer. Nissan has issued a quality recall for most 04 quests, which included items from poor insulation to replacing trottle pedals. I have experienced loss of power at stop lights, seat belt latches that stick, audio buttons that dont function, Driver door that is loose and tries to pry open at highway speeds. If your money and safety are important to you, I would seriously consider another vehicle. Nissan rushed this car to the market and it shows in every way.

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  Love - Hate relationship! - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By JLL - May 8 - 10:00 am

  My van & I have a love hate relationship. My husband wanted me to get a Tahoe, but I got the van. He warmed up to it because of the comfortable interior. We drove this on a huge summer trip, and found it to be the perfect family vehicle TONS of room. Thank God for the warranty, at 99,000 mi I had to have both front wheel barrings replaced. Factory tires lasted all of 20,000. Brakes have been replaced 2x. Catalytic converter has to be replaced. Automatic side door now demon possessed. (Seriously). HORRIBLE gas mileage. I have never gotten better than 18 mpg, and I drive on a hwy on cruise everyday. It has been great for small children, but its growing old.

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  JUDGE FOR YOURSELF - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By FOTOMAT - May 5 - 10:50 pm

  AFTER 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 am

  Look 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 am

  This 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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  The repairs just keep adding up - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By rupkinmae - April 22 - 11:36 pm

  Im so disappointed in this van. Every time I think its going to be okay, another expensive repair is required. Were throwing good money after bad on this vehicle now and we havent even reached 90,000 miles. I have read more reviews than I can count regarding the timing chain issue. I think its time to get a class action suit going against Nissan. Im utterly disgusted that my vehicle has spent more time broken down over the last year than it has spent running properly. Nissan knows theres a problem and theyre making good money fixing their own mistakes. The timing chain repairs need to be a recall immediately or Nissan needs to pay for their sub-par components in court.

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  #1 - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By jakelacm - April 17 - 10:00 am

  The Quest is the best car in the world.

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  Good Luck - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By BDuece - April 15 - 6:13 pm

  I have had this vehicle for 2 1/2 years. Pros, Good handling, power, average 19 mpg, lots of room, exterior styling. Cons, The paint scratches and chips easily, slightly high road noise on than Highway, Relaibilty/quality is bad. Interior trim pieces come unsnaped often, Ac has been repaired 5 times. The clock is always fast. Computer is quirky, doors need to be realigned or adjusted frequently. Its had at least 6 recalls, doors rattle, strang vibration noises. etc. Service rep stated," we have had issues with these vehicles" Its at the dealership being repaired often. Nissan does little when you call in concerns?

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  Good but not great - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Khubo - April 13 - 2:10 am

  After driving all comers in the segment this is the one that my wife had to have. So far it has been a great purchase and has stopped all the hitting and fighting in the back seat. We have had a few issues: As everyone else states we have had the door rattles. This was recently fixed by the 3rd dealership we visited. When the van is left outdoors overnight and the temperature gets below freezing all the electronics except the throttle cease to work. This is very inconvenient in the middle of nowhere. the problem sorts itself out and the dealership has been unable to recreate the issue. I have turned the brake rotors once and am ready to do so again. I am sure this is due to wifes driving

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  First time mini van owner - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By jcc36 - April 6 - 7:47 pm

  The 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.