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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  A Farr Out Van! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By farroutt3fan - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought the S model with upgrade package and DVD. We absolutely love! We feel safer and more fashionable than we ever thought possible in a minivan. It is fun to drive, and the kids have never been so excited. It comes with more standard features than most entry level vans. Not many manufacturers are offering a DVD in the entry model, not to mention the multitude of other features the others only offer in high end models, or for more money. If you really want a great minivan that stands head and shoulders above the rest of the class, the Quest is the answer. Thanks Nissan!

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  Fun & Sporty - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Tammy - January 25 - 2:00 am

  So far the Quest is a very nice comfortable ride for our family.

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  Best ever - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By caribeth3 - January 14 - 6:46 pm

  This is the perfect vehicle for those people who need the space a minivan offers, but dont necessarily WANT to drive a minivan. It looks cool, drives as nice as any car Ive been in, has lots of great features. Its one of the safest cars out there, and sits nice and low to the ground (easy to get in and out of, especially for young kids).

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  GoQuest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By johndm - January 9 - 10:00 am

  We have waited for over three years to get the quest in a blue with lether int. and finaly they came out with one. It handles great and has all the room for us and the grnadchildren. They love the dual DVD and being able to see it from the second and third row seats with no fighting as to who will set by the DVD screen. I would recommend this minivan to everyone. It has a larger area for storage even with all seats up than any of the other vans its size, and we checked all of them before getting this one.

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  Nothing More I could ask for! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Pipay V. C. - December 26 - 10:00 am

  First time I drove this van, I thought the engine wasnt running! I observed most people look at me like I was driving an out-of-this world vehicle! Ive seen the new Sienna & the 03 Odyssey but theyre still the same old looking minivan I grew tired with. This one drives like a compact car with its handling. And it looks like a quasi-SUV when you view it drom behind. When we got our old 2000Quest befor, I always thought that Nissan could do much more with that car, & true to that Nissan had done their homework I am grateful that they designed a car-like van for the discriminating...I actually expected it. And with my new Quest--I couldnt ask for more!

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  2012 Nissan Quest SL - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By westbrock6 - December 17 - 3:54 pm

  I have owned every car possible in the past few years. The 2011 Traverse LTZ, 2010 Honda Odyssey exl/res, 2008 Grand Caravan,2011 Suburban LT, 2010 Kia sedona Ex to name a few. I just bought the 2012 Nissan Quest SL it is the best driving van I have owned, interior is beautiful, the sunroofs are awsome, and the kids love the dvd screen that drops down from the ceiling with the push of a button. My husband who has hated minivans wants to drive this one. I loved the style and handling of the traverse but it was too small I have 4 kidos, finally the vehicle that has the sporty style, fun to drive crossover feel with all the space needed for the kids and their stuff. You have to drive this !!

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  Best minivan of all. - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By danny - December 13 - 7:50 am

  At price of $21000, Quest is the best minivan available. Beside the stylish, the 2nd row can fold down. Unlike any other minivan. It also have power on both side sliding and rear. Great Minivan.

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  a must drive , # 1 good job nissan - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By marka0919 - December 9 - 10:00 am

  we drove the honda and the toyota . The room is incredible, the seating positions on the second row is so unique, make sure the salesperson shows you how to adjust the 2nd row seats. the third row is so easy to fold flat, very quiet cabin at highway speeds, and the entertainmant system is a must have. if you like to travel fold down the third seat in all of the ones you drive and put in your vacation gear like we did. the quest was the only one with room to spare. you can look at cubic feet of cargo space but if it isnt usable it only looks good on paper. WE have owned 3 maximas 2 altimas and this is my first QUEST AND THEY ARE AWESOME!!!!!

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  fun to ride - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By Torres Family - December 9 - 3:46 am

  We love to ride our nissan quest its very quiet and strong, and our kids love the convinience of having a tv/vcr unit. GREAT VAN, GREAT VALUE.

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  I LOVE driving my Nissan Quest!!!!!!!!! - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By MinivanMom - November 30 - 2:00 am

  First of all, let me say that I never wanted a minivan. I am one of those moms who really wanted a big SUV, but deep inside knew I could not afford the gas. In comes my slightly used 2000 Nissan Quest GXE...I really love this minivan. It is fun to drive and really handles the road well. In my Quest, I do not feel like I am driving a minivan. It looks great, inside and outside and gets good gas mileage, too! AND...its a NISSAN!!! I would recommend this minivan to anyone. I cant wait to see what the future holds for the Nissan Quest. From a very happy Nissan Quest owner!