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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  Transmission Problem - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Sludge - April 30 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle replaces a 1995 Quest Van. This is a nice vehicle which drives smoothly and has good acceleration. I presently have a problem with intermittent failure of the transmission to shift after starting. The vehicle has twice started in 3rd gear and refused to upshift or downshift. I took it to the dealership who called Nissan for help in solving this problem. According to the service manager Nissan says this is a known problem which they do not have a solution for yet. I reserve judgement on this van until I see if Nissan can fix this problem. On the bright side, turning the vehicle off and restarting restores the transmission to normal function.

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  2 separate wheel bearing replacements - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By Lori Harmon Burns - April 27 - 8:03 am

  I loved this car the first year. However, the wheel bearings have had to be replaced on two separate occasions. One around 46,000 miles the next 4000 miles later. Passenger sliding door does not stop when I am in door frame. Pushes hard and I have to work to stand up against it before it reverses if it does. Worried about if kids are in frame and potential for fingers or even worse torso or head getting crushed in door shutting.

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  New owner 2013 Nissan Quest LE - 2013 Nissan Quest
  By jay24 - April 27 - 4:46 am

  Purchased may 2013. Like many features and would buy again. The biggest complaint is mileage but maybe its because it has less than 1k on odo. I drive like a dead person because I want to see a decent mileage number to get my wife off my back. She thinks I made a bad decision because I am only getting 13.1 mpg. I traded in my 2008 Yukon Hybrid getting 16.4 because it was stalling in traffic and dealer could not fix after three attempts.

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  Good Van that Needs Some Improvement - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Good Van Except for - April 13 - 8:20 pm

  Nissan had the right idea with this Van but they failed in execution. If the quality problems (rattling, paint chipping) were addressed prior to release it would be an EXCELLENT van but instead it is a good van as long as you dont mind going to see the dealer often.

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  Why the fuss? - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By Barry Blank - April 10 - 2:07 pm

  Its 2015 and I guess Im the odd ball out. I have have 40,000 logged miles and no problems with one exception Last month (July 2015) the variable windshield control stopped functioning properly. Thats it, pure and simple. Ill take this one issue in 8 years any day. This is our 2nd Quest *first one is a1994 still running - we use it for hauling. Very happy with both vehicles.

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  Its Ok, better than american made - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By Stones - March 28 - 10:00 am

  My wife loves this mini-van. It is Kid friendly with TV/VCR. Excellent for long trips, but only if you are carrying a few things. Handles well, but not in hills. If you are taller than 57" you are likely to have problems getting your feet stretched in the driver seat.

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  Good - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By okiedokie - February 6 - 9:53 am

  Van has been very economical and useful. No major problems mechanically. Recalled for accelerator sticking problems. Fixed but sticking again. Safety in question. Paint job was terrible. Had it 4 months and had pits all over it down to metal. Garage kept and in town, on NO dirt or gravel roads. Nissan said "Bugs" must have done it. Would not repaint it. Warranty wouldnt cover it. Still driving it with pits in the paint! Has 58,000 miles now and still runs good. Changed oil and tires and thats it. twenty six miles per gallon highway miles. GREAT on mileage.

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  Good minivan option with minor quirks - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Jdevine - February 4 - 10:00 am

  Weve had our Qwest SE for 4 months. Its comfortable and drives well. We can fit plenty of stuff and the styling is attractive to us. The additional features of the SE (5 speed, sky lights, leather, etc.) are nice. All the electrical widgets (auto doors etc.) still work fine and our 1.5 year old likes the DVD. On the down side, fuel economy stinks, no where near what they advertise. Poor interior build quality, the back of the van rattled like a 1991 Econoline industrial version within a week of taking it home. Also, our van came with running boards. They look cool, but I dont like them. The van is so close to the ground, it gets in the way.

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  2000 Quest SE - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By MMattson - February 2 - 10:00 am

  1. Good pickup. Repeated problems with alignment. 2. Leather seats worth extra money, as are moonroof, upgraded stereo and VCR. 3.Great visibility, not much maneuverablity in parking lots. 4.Steering wheel controls for stereo are a godsend. 5.Running boards, alloy wheels, and silver color adds sporty details to an otherwise solid design. 6. Disappointed by electrical problems with rear windshield wiper; service department has not resolved difficulties. Other electrical problems include overdrive on/off switch, and digital readout for stereo and clock, both working intermittantly. 7. Never had any engine, brake, transmission problems.

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  need some improvement - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By Linda - January 27 - 8:40 am

  it is fun to drive it and comfortable for my family. this is my 3rd nissan quest.