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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  Made cheap - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By haynie3 - October 27 - 11:18 pm

  We bought our van in 2008 thought it would be great to own a brand new vehicle. Well within 1 year the mirror visor broke off and the arm rest fell off and the rubber seals on side doors came off. Well today i was driving and there was a flapping noise, I looked back and it was the metal insert on top of the van,where you would have the racks at flapping on the side of van, i had to pull over and get before it hit someones vehicle. It just seems like the veichle is made cheaply, when only having a short time.

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  Great Car - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By jaba - October 25 - 9:10 am

  I bought this car 1 1/2 yrs ago & have no problems with it at all. About the front seats, the upper lumbar is angled too far back so you never really can press your back against it. I love the interior, very spacious inside although the ext design makes it appear more sleek. I recently took it for a 1000K mile trip w/ 3 adults and 3 children. It was very easy ride, comfortable and felt safe. Lots of power and gas mileage was very good on hwy. It sure stinks in the city though (15/24).

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  Great Van - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By dlb123 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I have driven this van about 2500 miles. Love the interior! It is comfortable and spacious for passengers. The luggage/grocery well in the back is great for trips to the store. Acceleration is fair to good, a bit too much shifting between gears as it speeds up for my taste, but trade off is decent gas milage. I have gotten around 27 mpg on the highway, 20 mpg for mixed driving. The car handles nicely, very comfortable to drive, handles snowy conditions well. Towing capacity is 3500 lbs, which is much better than the smaller SUVs we were considering. Would definately recommend this van!

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  Runs good but cheap quality interior - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By daylight123 - October 1 - 1:56 pm

  We bought this van brand new in 2006. The tires that came with it needed replacing after one year. The driver and passendger sun visors keep breaking off. We have replaced them 3 times over the years. The interior light fixtures and air vents fall out regularly. Cup holders broke off. Seat folding handle is broken. C/D player broke after the 2nd year. The bearings needed to be replaced at around 75,000 miles. Right now at 94,000 miles the a/c is not working and the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. Also, the dashboard indicator lights are not reliable. Have recently replaced the alternator - $500.

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  Still better than most minivans - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Just Jay - September 9 - 3:40 pm

  The wife loves the van. I think if it were totaled, she would still try to have it rebuilt! This from a family that said we would "NEVER own a minivan." Then 8 months of pregnancy happened. It has been a very good van overall. She is more impressed than I, but I dont mind driving it. I always tell the other guys who tease that it has the Maxima V6 and that seems to smooth a few over. We had problems right out of the gate with a new model in its first year, but Nissan backed us up 100% and even extended our factory warranty until 5 years or 60,000 miles without us asking! The wife loves the gauges over the A/C and radio with the storage over the wheel.

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  Squeaks and rattles - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By R. Young - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I have the SE model with dual DVD screens and every other possible add on including GPS. $40,000 out the door price. It is a lovely car, drives nice, great sound system DVD is great with the grand kids. I want to love it. Im trying to love it.HOWEVER The sliding doors click,clack (rattle)along with other squeaks and squawks that drive me crazy. Hard to read the gas guage and odometer. Same motor as my 04 Maxima, but half the pick-up.

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  Only 1000 miles so far, but: - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By gixxerjim - September 3 - 9:53 pm

  This van is by far the most fun to drive van available. Test drive consisted of a twisty stretch of two lane I regularly hit on my GSXR. This van handles wonderfully, has good power and is comfortable for the entire family, even the rearmost seat.

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  Build Quality OK...Great Vehicle!! - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Tiny Tunerz - August 14 - 9:06 pm

  My experience so far with the 2005 Nissan Quest S has been very positive. I have just over 20,000 miles and I am very happy with the Quest. There have been a few build quality annoyances like inoperable cd player and the drivers side manual sliding door was tough to open. The engine is strong and smooth; its a great cruising vehicle. Lots of great standard features like power rear hatch and passenger sliding door. Cavernous interior.

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  Cool for a Minivan! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By MarvinK - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Fear of first year run, but no problems so far. We were looking at getting anything BUT a minivan to replace our aging Town & Country, but the Quest had lots of room, good fuel economy and was cooler than a lot of the small & midsize SUVs we looked at! Biggest complaint is that many options are only available on SE, and SE needs more interior options (see below).

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  SOME DISSAPOINTMENTS - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By AMB - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I love the style, the features, the drive but I was so dissapointed with the fixes that we have to had done when the factory should have checked it. Ratlle noise on both doors (passenger), there was a technical bulletin on it. Problem with power window in drivers side, loose part found. While the car is fun and great, it is difficult to have to take a van back when these types of issues should have been looked upon before giving to customer. I expect superior quality on a Japanese brand.