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:
Showing 181 through 190 of 969.00-
Quality???? - 2004 Nissan Quest
By deb1823 - November 12 - 2:00 amMy Quest has been into the dealer 6 times for warranty repairs. The dealer had to replace the heater motor. It took 3 visits before they had the right part, then it took two days to repair as no one was familiar with tearing the dash apart. Now I am waiting for another trim part to arrive as it was broken when the dash was put back together. Power sliding doors constantly made clunking noise. Immediately fixed one door, but other door took 3 tries. Also had sunroof trim replaced as it was coming off. I am extremely concerned about the long term quality of my vehicle. I believe I should have waited until they worked the kinks out to purchase this vehicle.
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Owner - 2004 Nissan Quest
By SteveVermont - October 31 - 11:10 pmI like the way it ride, quite and smooth. The shifting is like riding a electric car with smooth shifting. Have driven over the mountains roads without any problems.
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AC Broke within 2 months! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By TomC_NY - October 31 - 10:00 amMy family loved this vehicle when we first purchased it, but recently the AC broke and weve been inpatiently waiting for them to order a replacement part for it. We hear that its happened to several 2004 SE models, so look out! Its been extremely inconvenient in the hot weather and Nissan is not very responsive in repairing it. Otherwise, I agree with everyone else here that it is a nice mini-van.
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Do your shopping well! - 2002 Nissan Quest
By Happy Mom! - September 29 - 10:00 amWe just purchased this vehicle 2 days ago. I am very pleased with it! Tons of features! Test drove just about all of them out there, this is best ride! Test drove Honda and Nissan back to back. Honda had too much road noise! For all the features we got with Nissan we would have paid $7000 more for Honda! Haggle on phone and e-mail. Less stressful! Good Luck!
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So far, So Good! - 2013 Nissan Quest
By tagamasid1023 - August 31 - 5:13 pmAfter 19 months of owning the 2013 Quest, its time to write down my review. So far, my Quest drives pretty well. No mechanical problem whatsoever. No squeaks, clanks, or any unwanted under-chassis noise. Suspension is soft enough to silence Chicago potholes. Electronic and power features all working great. Everything in the cabin still tight and in their right places. Captain seats are comfy and fabric is easy to clean. Storage is plenty for a family of four. Overall, everything works accordingly, except for fuel economy. My Quest SV averages 12-13 MPG combined. It seems the CVT is not really helping the Quest achieve its MPG claims.
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Good Value - 2005 Nissan Quest
By jagged30 - August 11 - 12:16 pmWe bought the van in March and currently have 7500 miles on it. My wife traded it for a 2001 Chrysler Town/Country. The power and ride are very good - almost sporty - and it is comfortable, but the reliability is questionable and build quality needs improvement. We just got it back from the shop for a bad transmission control module, which was replaced under warranty; service was very good. However, the drivers storage hinge is broken, the a/c vents have fallen from the ceiling, silver finish on the steering wheel and shifter show wear - as does the material on center stack. It also looks like it will be hard to clean. However, it was significantly much cheaper than the Sierra/Odyssey.
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Rattle Trap - 2004 Nissan Quest
By notsogreat - August 7 - 10:00 amCompared to our2001 Expedition, it is much easier to get the children in and out of the vehicle. Power is good, gas mileage averages 17 MPG - not good. Ride is fine in the city. There is significant wind noise on highway at speeds above 65 mph - very annoying. One of the primary reasons for purchase was the ease of entry through the sliding doors.Car has been back to the dealership 6 times since 12/03 for rattling passenger doors. It is no minor rattle! It will drive you nuts. This is not the only rattle. Hit a small bump, the rest of the car rattles as well. This was our first Nissan,and it will be our last.
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Starting Problems - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Gail - August 7 - 10:00 amFrequently this vehicle wont start in the AM. I have taken it to the dealer repeatedly and they claim they cant replicate the problem. I overhead some mechanics discussing that this is a common customer complaint with this vehicle, but when I questioned them on the comment, everyone denied having said it.
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Mad as HELL! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Mr. mom - July 10 - 10:00 amWe have love our Quest for three years now. We got it used. Im 65", my wife is 511" and our kids are going to be huge we know that already. lol so the room is what we needed we got it. We ALSO got a van that has had and continues to have transmission issues. The trany was replaced two years after we got it and were told that it was never serviced. Nissan says every 30,000 it needs a flush and fill. so the new rebuilt trany is now giving us a fit and Nissan keeps telling us they "cant reproduce the issue" even after the dealer ship having the van for 26 DAYS.The timing chain is making a ticking noise thats not covered by the warranty because it has 45 parts and 10 are covered by them.
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2004 Nissan Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
By kjkimker - June 30 - 2:00 amQuest is a great looking, fun to drive, POWERFUL, minivan. I checked them all out and the Quest has the most bang for the buck.
