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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  OHMomof5 - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By jod5 - April 6 - 9:51 am

  I purchased the 2005 Quest SE fully loaded 10/05/04 having traded my 2001 BMW 325i. Almost nine years later, the van has safely taken my family 101,100 miles and counting. I have travelled across the USA and Canada, typically alone with four of my daughters. I’ve only had two upsetting issues. First, I had a ground fault issue around 40,000 miles that delayed a trip home for a couple hours. Then recently, the alternator failed 375 miles from home and involved almost 100 miles of towing and a rather costly repair bill. However, alternators do fail and the ground fault, although inconvenient, was minor. This van remains exceptional.

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  Quest SL 3.5 - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By stuw - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I had already decided on another van, but drove the Quest as a last minute thought. I was glad I did! I was worried about it being a 1st production year for the vehicle, but took a lot of comfort in knowing the drivetrain has been around for years. That engine is awesome! Good styling in and out, although a bit too much cheap looking plastic on the interior trim. Vehicle handles well with minimal body roll.

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  AMAZING Minivan - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By PRAaron - March 29 - 10:00 am

  This minivan amazes me each and every time I see and drive it. It almost drives like a sports sedan, its quiet, comfortable, has a great ride, great road feel and handling for a minivan - heck for ANY car! - Its GREAT looking and so NOT conventional! I get looks EVERYWHERE I go - people seem very impressed by a cool looking minivan. This minivan TRUMPS every other one out there, hands down in my opinion.

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  Loaded without options - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By MacG - March 23 - 2:00 am

  We bought the base model without many "extras" and still it seems pretty well loaded. We got the fold-down seat package-- spectacular. We fit a 7 Christmas tree inside, with our two kids in the second row, and were still able to close the rear door. Im 64" and am finally driving a vehicle with decent head and leg room! And the 2nd row seats slide back so that my seat back doesnt crush the second row passenger. I love the look of the centrally located instruments, and the sight lines are perfect. My neighbors all had to check it out when we brought it home. They loved the body style, and were wowed again by the interior.

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  A minivan with style - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Perry Ward - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This is the style leader for minivans. Great power, ride and gas mileage. Have had several squeaks and rattles, dealer finally got most of them fixed and its quieter now. Defects in windshield and new one also bad but the attempted switch cured some of the wind noise. Third hasnt come in yet. Also wind noise in sunroof, use cover for quiet.

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  Worst car ever - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By soccermom - March 21 - 8:40 pm

  Everything about the 04 Nissan quest has been a disaster. The brakes go bad quickly, the windshield wiper just stopped working one day, the interior features (ceiling lights) just fall off when the doors are closed, the seats are coming apart, esp the back seats with the skirts, the tailgate door handle fell off, the compression stick in the tailgate door fell off, the radio never gets good reception... and on and on. I dont have enough characters remaining to list all the problems!!

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  I wish I had never bought IT!!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Heather White - March 16 - 2:23 pm

  It was love at first sight but I think I was completely blind. We have had nothing but trouble from this van since day 1. Our van has been the shop around 100 time and that is not including regular maintance. Our sliding doors have came apart and we have had doors adjusted and not been able to open them. The trunk leaked and messed the carpet up and that is just to start. On top of that we have not had the best of service workers. We have had nothing but trouble with them. As we speak it is in the shop once again. I cant wait till we can get rid of it. Oh yeah and the trade it value had dropped b/c of the problems. I will never buy a Nissan agian.

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  Feels Like A Luxury Car - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Riogrant - March 16 - 2:20 pm

  Who says a minivan cant be fun to drive?...I personally thought the only thing I would drive with mini attached to it would be a Mini Cooper. However with our second child coming in January we began looking for something with more space. After shopping the competition we were happy to find a mini van with everything we wanted and more. We purchased the SE with smoke exterior and rouge interior. It truly is a piece of art. The fit and finish is perfect. Everyone I have given a ride to comments on how un-mini van like it is...and how it is very sporty and fun. My wife and I have been big Volkswagen fans for years. This van makes me want to go 100% Nissan.

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  Mom , Pa & Childrens Minivan - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By Fraedna - March 14 - 8:50 pm

  My 1999 Nissan Quest has good power, decent fuel economy, great interior and comfort (with a great leather quality), and lots of neat features. My kids love the video system. I have not experienced any major problems. I just hit 40,000 miles and my Questr still rides like a sedan. I also own a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder and provides the same performance and quality. I plan on purchasing a Nissan as my next vehicle as well.

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  Nice Van - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By #1 Dad - March 2 - 2:00 am

  I like the Quest weve had a few minor gliches when we first purchased it used. The TV/VCR can be a bit troublesome at times. The break pedal sometimes sounds like you are stepping on a mouse.(Ive already had this looked at and well the mouse came back again) Overall though this has been a good van for our family of five.