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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  Could be better - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By carol0311 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  We bought this vehicle because I loved the design. The van looks sleek (two tone) and nice. But too many things wrong with it in the 1 1/2 years Ive had it. Almost immediately a door sensor went out and it kept thinking there was a door open. Sliding door window kept coming loose and would make an annoying noise until replaced. Passenger door window makes a noise when coming up or down and dealer says that there is nothing wrong with it??? Could make it better.

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  Pretty Good....I guess - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By #1 mom - June 4 - 10:00 am

  With only 30,000 miles on it, Ive had too many problems. One day all the electrical items went out. We couldnt roll up the windows, move the seats or do anything electrical. We could just drive the car. Fron driver wheel squeeks when we turn. On the positive side, its interior is the roomiest on the market. We looked at the Honda Odyssey, the Toyota Sienna and the Mazda van(Cant remember the name) and the Quest was much larger inside. Ive had no engine problems yet (knock on wood) and the abundance of extras is nice. Overall its a good product, I just think we got a lemon as far as the electrical is concerned.

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  Brakes issues, poor interior quality - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By MacG - May 26 - 3:40 pm

  My Q needed a new fuel pump early in its life, which was covered under warranty. Also, front brakes were troublesome, a lot of vibration, several repairs, none covered by Nissan dealer despite known brake issues. No other problems with it mechanically. I loved the center gauges, a lot of people didnt, so that was changed in later models. Drivers seat back fabric wore out just after the warranty on it was up, ended up with two holes! The drivers seat back also seemed to get a bit wobbly, or loose. 3rd row seat was not easy to retrieve from stowed position. I think that many women would not have the strength for it - as a big guy I had to fight it.

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  Serious safety issue still unresolved - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By hedgehog26 - April 30 - 4:48 am

  First let me say that the van, for the price that I paid for it, is hands down a much better buy than the Odyssey or the Sienna. The exterior styling is I admit a personal preference, but we like it. Interior is awesome! The SL I think is the best trim for the value. I wouldt pay more for some extra features for the LE (not for almost 10k more!). The only major flaw in this van, which Ithink everyone should be warned about before they buy it is the fuel tank problem. This is not the software problem addressed bybthe March 2012 recall. Nissan thought that will fix the problem but it didnt. That recall fix even negatively affected the gas mileage of the van.

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  04 Quest SE Pleasure to Drive - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Robert Simon - April 24 - 10:33 am

  We bought this vehicle used with only 25k miles. We have had no major problems mechanically other than a hairline crack in catalytic converter weld unknown cause. Caused Nissan a headache but got us new sensors, fuel injectors, new computer and assorted other fuel savings goodies. We love the entertainment features, navigation system (other than expensive to update it) but other than the Low Tire Pressure Sensor going off when the temp changes more than 10 degrees but its not a big deal once you turn the alarm off and you dont have a real flat. We have driven it from east coast to texas to nevada and back to texas and it drove great and smooth. Nice body style and roomy inside.

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  love it hate it ...back again - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By love it & hate it - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Well after 55 days in service dept. they did finally fix the interior light problems, which I still believe to be electrical malfunctions. That was Dec.,this is April so far so good. Now just really annoyed by rattles and squeaks. Pass.side slider, driver seat, also losing the motor on the rear wiper already. Having some acceleration hesitation, which I share with another local owner of a new Quest. Hes been in often for service too. Starting to regret decision on a 1st time model. Should have waited til 05 or 06. But...it still turns heads!

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  Good but could be better - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Mikecinti - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Van rides great, nice peppy engine, lots of storage space, handles great for a mini van. Plastic storage area that is attached to back of drivers seat has been replaced twice (woman at service desk said its cheap-not exactly what I want to hear after spending 28,000+$). Something wrong with the front brakes, at highway speeds steering wheel shakes (have to take that in), DVD and auto doors are great. Screen needs to be brighter. Love the center counsle, great visability for a van. Wiper controls are hard to work, have to take your eye off the road to use them (for intermit/and rear)

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  Very functional Nissan Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By hnl-jack - March 18 - 10:00 am

  The flexibility of the Quest is wonderful. The automatic doors, the fold flat seats are terrific. The skylights create a fun traveling experience. Best of all we like the ZIP. Our other vehicle is a Jaguar 3.0 S type and its my impression that the Quest would be it off the line every time. The styling is very different and you either like it or dislike it. However, it creates interest wherever we go.

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  Our "Quest" is over - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By fossilfinder66 - March 15 - 8:46 pm

  We bought a new 07 Quest last weekend. We liked the looks of the "un-minivan" but choice for an entry level model was very limited. They really move these models so you dont get much selection. The interior room was light years ahead of our 1999 Quest. Power was nice also. Did not get leather but cloth interior looks cheap and probably prone to catch dirt in the waffle pattern.

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  Love hate relationship! - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By AW - March 9 - 4:23 pm

  I got this van for more room when I had my second child. Not that I have 3 things are starting to look "gray"! I love the seats and actually think they are comfortable except the third row is not made for adults or more than 2 car seats. My recline handles on my second row seats have broken on both sides twice! The interior is very cheaply made and not worth the money on any model. There are only 2cup holders in the front which is a hassle. It drives great and is awesome on long trips. In town the gas mileage stinks. I wish we would have done more looking before we purchased this van. I do love the power and reliability. So I love a little and hate a little.