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 11 through 20 of 969.00-
Not worth the money - 2005 Nissan Quest
By Melissa Peterson - May 17 - 8:16 pmIve only had my Quest for less than 1 month and I do not love it. For the money, you get a lot and not having to remove the rear seats are a big plus but the driver seat doesnt provide enough support and I slide around when turning. The lumbar support is extremely uncomfortable. There are lots of rattles in the car which Nissan tried to fix but couldnt. I love the looks and the drive but thats about it.
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problems after 75000 miles - 2000 Nissan Quest
By wik - May 12 - 10:16 pmwe had minor problems after purchase and during warranty such as replace vcr unit twice and driver window motor replaced, all covered by warranty but makes you wonder what else will go wrong. Our dealer service was great. We got the extended warranty at 75000 miles. At 77,000 the front end had major problems such as axle and tie rods etc all not covered. Now we are told it will need about anoth $1000 in repairs. We are thinking of trading it in. I expected better from a Japanese car when we bought it new. It was cheaper then the honda and toyota and now I know why.
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Poor Milage - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Running60 - April 5 - 10:00 amHappy with every thing about the vehicle except the milage that I am getting. Doest come close to the ratings.
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2001 Quest GLE - 2001 Nissan Quest
By swapper9 - March 5 - 2:00 amFully loaded GLE with 3.3L V-6, leather and burlwood trim interior, plus 6-CD changer w/upgraded sound system, VCR (should a been DVD), power everything, with driver seat memory, and other stuff too numerous to mention. City mileage improved considerably from ~15 mpg to ~20 mpg after about a year. Electronic mileage fuel calculator is a joke, not even accurate. No major issues thus far -- knock on burlwood. Warranty will expire in a couple months and I have seen a few service advisories I would like to get checked, such as side-window latches that loosen, noises from rear suspension, seat belt recall. No issues regarding tire quality.
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love it & hate it - 2004 Nissan Quest
By love it & hate it - March 5 - 2:00 amsaw it said "yuck", drove it said,"hum! took husband back that evening, he drove, said,"ok". Took it home. Talk of the town, lots of stares & inquiries. Unfortuneately, weve encountered several problems with 1 being a constant repeat problem...dome lights come on by themselves a lot!!! The dealer has had mine for 55 days! Tying to find out the problem. Told,5 differents reasons so far. My husband keeps asking"why did we trade in our OLDS. SILHOUTTE that had no problems?" I call it "MY THANG",its like a muscle- car-van-suv. Love the idea, hate the 1st year glitches.
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THE QUEST FOR A SATISFIED OWNER - 2002 Nissan Quest
By QUEST SE - February 27 - 2:00 amSETTING ASIDE THE NAME NISSAN QUEST...THIS VAN CAN MOVE AND PERFORMS VERY WELL IN ACCELARTING AND MANEUVERING HOWEVER IM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE SUSPENSION. THE VAN RATTLES TO MUCH AND BECOMES ANNOYING WHEN DRIVING. ON THE HIGHWAYS AND SMOOTH SURFACES I GIVE IT THUMBS UP ....BUT STAY AWAY FROM LOCAL STREETS WITH POT HOLES AND UNEVEN SURFACES.
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Many Nissans owned - 3 Quests - 2008 Nissan Quest
By Nissan Guy - January 24 - 8:50 pmMy wife and I have owned an Altima, Pathfinder, two Maximas, and three Quests, 2004, 2007, 2008, all SEs. Our first Quest was great mechanically except for the sliding door rattles that Nissan fixed the next year. We found the road noise to be quieter after replacing the Good Year tires with Bridgestone. 2007 had front end issues fixed under warranty, no door rattles, but we got hoodwinked by the Michelin PAX tires so we just traded for the 2008. I think it will be quieter again after removing the Good Year Eagle tires. I have had Eagles on other vehicles without the road noise but not the Quest. We have loved all of our Nissans. They have rarely if ever had to visit mechanics.
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pleased owner - 2007 Nissan Quest
By 16 year nissan owner - January 22 - 10:50 amWe have enjoyed the nissans we owned. I believe the quality is great, some of the design issues are lacking from year to year, but that is same with all auto makers. Nissan needs to keep features included in cars or as an option. We have had no issues with the car and if we did, it was under warranty. Rear senors are standard with Nissan, look at competitors, high end only. Want to buy or lease new but $ is not in budget $500 plus is for a sports car not a van.
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Look for another van - 2004 Nissan Quest
By logan19 - January 19 - 12:30 pmWe got this van because it didnt look like your typical minivan. I should have done more research. First of all I have had to replace both sets of brakes twice with only 52,000 miles. My mechanic told me that they would have to be replaced every 20,000 miles. The van is very heavy. After needing new tires, I found out that Goodyear is the only one who makes this size tire. So I had to buy them. The tire pressure indicator goes off when the outside temp drops below 70 degrees. The dealer tells me there is nothing wrong with it and just resets it. So I am in there within a week doing the same thing. I will never know when I flat tire. I am now looking at the Hondas.
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not bad - 2001 Nissan Quest
By jots - October 17 - 10:00 amnice car a bit pricey
