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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  Love my Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Aimmcd - March 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a great minivan. We have two small infants and need two car seats in the car, which fit comfortably. Also in the back we keep a double stroller. There is plenty of room in the car and it is a great ride.

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  Car Needs to know how it be fixed - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Lynskee - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I dont know if anyone know it yet but when the car gets cold it does not start and they do not know how to fix it. My car had to be towed to the Atlantic Auto Mall and they still do not know how to fix it. First they said it was the fuel pump, now it is the sensors etc. this has been going on for a week and a half and it is still in the shop.

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  Cool Car - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Motherlode57 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I like everything about the car, especially how itlooks, how it handles and the engine power. There is a rattle in the side door that Nissan has yet to solve which is the only draw back

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  Quest - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By connorkate - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I think it is a great family car, has VCR and movies as standard.

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  Love van but OH the problems - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By so-so - February 27 - 11:10 am

  Previously owned a Dodge Caravan Sport which had no problems throughout 80k miles. Loved styling of Quest,bought 09/04. Travel freqently and very comfortable on long trips. Dealer service dept. has been great however we have been there to many times. Numerous recalls/service bulletins. transmission not smooth in low gear. All 4 rotors turned twice then finally replaced under warranty. Interior fit and finish not great. Only 35k out of goodyear eagles. Squeaks, wind noise, rattles very bothersome. power window mechanism replaced already. rear hatch pistons replaced already. Exhaust system was rattling upon start up. Wheel studs sheered off almost lost rear wheel on highway.

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  Best value for your buck - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By ray - February 23 - 3:00 am

  After looking at the all new 2006 Kia Sedonna, and some of the other vans we decided to go with the Nissan Quest. I cant se why more people dont choose this van over the competition. We got a incredible deal on it and due to that we were able to go with the Special edition (love the power sliding door). This is the best looking van hands down for me. Doesnt have the same bland look of the others. At first I didnt care for the interior dash design, but after looking at the same dash on the competitors the uniqueness of it grew on me. Some of the car magazines bashed Nissan for poor grade dash materials. I find them of a higher quality that the dodge and kia.

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  So far so good! - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By HIPAULINO - February 3 - 10:00 am

  We have had this car for almost a week. So far, we love it! We have 2 kids and the family entertaiment center keeps them happy on our road trips. We emailed various Nissan Dealerships to get the best price quote! From now on that is the way we shop for cars! It is the easiest, headachefree way to buy a car! We will write a followup in a couple of months after we have had time to really put it through some paces.

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  Happy with Quest but it has Issues - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By NJQuest - January 21 - 10:46 pm

  My 2004 Quest is a long distance dream but it has issues that Nissan should have corrected. 1) Brakes wear out TOO fast. I have replaced both the Front (15K) and the Rear (20K). 2) The rear seat rattles (fixed) 3) The door where repaired for a recall and had to be repaired again. 4) The fuel economy is around 16.5 MPG City and 20.1 MPG Highway (Long Distance runs NJ to FL). 5) My Radio was problematical after my LoJack was install and had to be replace by the dealer (only took eight months). On the Plus side. 1) Its roomy! 2) The DVD player keeps the kids quiet! 3) Can swallow anthing I want to transport. 4) Fun to drive. Great for those long trips.

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  Great family car - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By mstee - December 22 - 2:46 pm

  I have only had this car for less than a month, but have been driving a mini-van for the past twelve years. This is by far the most drivable mini-van I have ever owned. It handles like a car. The Bluetooth is a wonderful plus! The only thing I feel I have to get used to is the body style is longer and wider than the last two Chryslers I have had. It makes parking a little more challenging for me.

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  2005 Nissan Quest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By ML - December 12 - 11:10 pm

  When we purchased this van, we considered an Odyssey and a Sienna but settled on the Nissan based on the better negotiated price. While overall it is a nice van which meets requirements, the maintenance costs, problems, and fuel economy are not as expected. Plan on replacing tires and rear brakes (under normal city driving) at 30,000 miles and paying $800 for the same service. Tires we found much cheaper elsewhere costing $470 vs. $800 at the dealer. Also the power doors dont always work which the dealer cannot figure out. Using regular gas causes it to ping, so plan on using premium and getting 16 - 18 mpg. Best we could muster was about 23 highway. Third row seat is extremely heavy.