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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  My second Nissan Quest - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By Kim - February 24 - 5:06 pm

  I have been satisfied, overall with my second Nissan Quest. I bought the fully loaded Quest. I enjoy the steering wheel controlled radio switch, the seat heaters, cruise control, rear mirror compass and the vcr. The car is quite reliable. The van usually gets 16 mpg. The only problems I have had with the van are the steering wheel radio control failed at about 20,000 miles, and was replaced. Now the same thing is failing again at 76,000 miles. Also at about 50,000 miles a control needed to be replaced that operated the power windows and compass (That was an expensive repair) Overall, I recommend the 2002 Nissan Quest.

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  British Columbia Driving - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By prenp - February 22 - 1:20 am

  Overall nice vehicle to drive &own. town mileage kinda sucks w/ stop and go, highway mileage is good. I can get 900 kms on 1 tank ( filled to the brim!). Dont like the low! front air scoop for AC rad, it seems to collect road sand and gravel in the winter and thus subject to damage IE: bent colling fins. All styles should have a rear spoiler to mitigate the rear window vaccum debris and grime which sticks to it. I seem to lose the rear wiper frequently also, cant figure out the cause? Kids like it, gives lots of room inside.

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  We Love It! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By cbraschl - February 6 - 6:03 pm

  After we purchased the Quest, we did have some of the issues that have been listed on other reviews. We had what we thought was a door rattle, and that turned out to be that the latches that hold down the rear seat were rattling. This may be something that the rest of you may want to investigate if you havent resolved the problem yet. The dealer couldnt solve the problem, so I placed electrical tape around the latch pins and the rattle went away. We also had a fuel pump failure within the first 2,000 miles. The dealer was very responsive in fixing this problem. Overall, we are extremely impressed with the Quest.

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  Great Van for the dollar - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By Bob Zabinski - January 3 - 10:00 am

  My 2000 Quest is used for going to and from work, vacations and hauling musical equipment. This van has served me well with absolutely nothing breaking on the thing. It has never seen a repair shop and, after 52ooo miles, still runs great. There are no rattles, squeeks or wind noises. It has never been the most quiet vehicle Ive ever owned but since I am the primary driver, I dont really mind.

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  So much better than my 1999 Windstar - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By bergolive - November 26 - 12:56 am

  Bought it new in 2006. We realy liked the style and we trusted Nissans reliability because we drove a 94 Altima all the way up to 250000kM with absolutely no trouble. We now have 150 000kM and had no major trouble. But everytime we had to go to the garage, repair were expensive due to lack of room around the motor. Cost 700$ to replace alternator a few months ago! The other annoying thing is that sliding doors freeze in winter. But overall, this van is so much better than our 99 Windstar that I cannot complain.

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  Love Car - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Love Car - November 11 - 3:00 am

  We just bought this car a few days ago. We found out that we needed a new engine for something the previous owner hit. Nissan was so wonderful they gave us a brand new engine for free under factory warranty. Love Air Controls! Love amount of space, fold down second and third rows, and extremely comfortable!

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  Nissan Quest - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By Greg - November 10 - 3:40 am

  My wife has had the vehicle for about a couple of weeks and I must admit that it is pretty decent for a minivan. The interior design takes about a week to get used to, but its not bad at all. If you have kids (which you should if you get a minivan) then definitely look at getting the DVD system. Its a definite sanity-saver. Build quality has been great - with no obvious defects. Its only been 2 weeks, but everything as is promised. If youre looking for a minivan that wont plummet in value like the domestics do, the Nissan Quest is a good option. It holds its value almost as well as the Toyota or Honda, but it cost less with the same features.

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  still not sure - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By firstmini - November 4 - 2:00 am

  We wanted the Sienna but it wasnt available (order only) and the Toyota dealers would not deal at all. Weve have the van for 3 weeks now and both love it and hate it - not what I expected from an almost $30000 purchase. The ride is great and the handling is fabulous. The gas milage is only around 17mpg (still in "break-in" period), the blower setting defaults to air conditioning (in PA in Nov??), the radio/cd work intermittantly and the power door works intermittanly - the dealer says there is no problem

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  More $$ than I had anticipated - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By vampmom - October 19 - 4:43 am

  This is the 3rd Nissan I have owned - the 1st one bought brand new. So far, I had to replace tires and brakes at 30,000 miles; drivers side sliding door latch literally fell apart (warranty); engine mounting bolts (!!!) fell out (warranty). One week after the 3-year mfg wty expired, my battery had to be replaced, the rear sonar sensor failed/not able to be reset, and one of the rear wing window closing assembly fell apart. Also, during cold weather, the sliding door cannot be opened. Rear trunk hatch does not latch well. Creaky/clicking sounds from the front end. I am grateful I bought the extended warranty - looks like it will be used a lot. When kids are big, Im buying another Sentra.

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  Been driving for 3 years and... - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By MommaOf3 - August 31 - 5:06 pm

  I bought this van brand new and loved the styling of it. For the most part, this is a great van. I love the skylights in the back, dual screens, heated side mirrors and leather seats, etc. That being said, another reviewer was right. Nissan should have equipped it with better tires. Mine have already been replaced and I dont really drive that much. Also, the drivers side power sliding door motor burned out after only 3 years of use. Since the warranty expired in Feb 08 and this happened in May, Nissan refuses to assist with the cost (which I think is poor cust service since its a major repair and so new out of warranty. Not sure Ill go with Nissan again due to cust service.