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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Youll get good at installing brake pads - 2005 Nissan Quest
By msce2 - March 4 - 1:42 pm2005 Nissan Quest - Quality issues We purchased the car with 16k mi in 2008. Car now has 55k mi. We have replaced the struts in the tailgate door $700, motor in tailgate door $650, 4 sets of brake pads (front & rear), 3 sets of tires. Gas gauge does not work properly, sliding side door will sometimes decide not to close so you have to turn it on manual to shut, other side door freezes shut in winter time, rear windshield wiper has not worked since buying, a/c is intermittent, skirts that are supposed to hide under captains chairs will not stay attached and cause tripping hazards. Van avgs 16mpg overall, but a measly 13mpg city driving.
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Quest for Excellence...Keep looking! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By hjr - February 22 - 5:46 pmIf you are looking for a high quality vehicle with great reliability look somewhere else. Our van has been into the shop too many times to count since we purchased it. The majority of the problems have been with rattles and creaks on the doors as well as the front doors not opening from the inside when you pull on the handle. There was also a problem with the transmission not shifting. The airbag light was also flashing which required two trips to fix. First was the wiring harness followed by the controller. The dealership was far less than helpful in getting these problems resolved. There basic mode of operation is that this is normal and we are too picky. Argh!!!
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Disappointed - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Not a happy consumer - February 17 - 6:46 pmWhen I first bought this vehicle I thought I was getting a good deal. I have had my car for 5 years and now I am told that I need $5000.00 dollars of engine work done on it. I have completed all my maintenance schedules. I paid the higher price for repairs and maintenance by getting all my work done at the dealer. I have had to replace the stereo twice in the last 5 years. The rubber molding around the door has come off numerous times. Maybe the newer models are better but make sure you get the warranty to cover yourself to 100000 miles, I didnt and now I have to pay. The car should have lasted longer than 5 years.
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2004 quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
By rcmk165 - February 8 - 10:00 amLove my Quest. traded in my pathfinder 2002 for the Quest 2004. loads of interior room. room for everything. Great trunk space too. looks sleek for a minivan.
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Wait a year or two - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Once Burned - February 8 - 10:00 amThis may be redundant to the other 100 or so reviews, but Nissan really designed a lousy car this time. Parts replaced include fuel pump (wouldnt start in the cold), exhaust system (cat converter hanging when purchased), front wheel(bent rim),& many others. Doors rattle, dash rattles, seat belt adjuster broke, pop out window motor loose. 12 trips to the shop already! Dealership at a loss for how to fix everything. Theyre overwhelmed, but trying hard. Nissan USA is USELESS! Scrapped my complaint after 30 days because no activity even though it was unresolved.
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2004 Nissan Quest 3.5 SE MiniVan - 2004 Nissan Quest
By otsmd - February 8 - 6:26 amThis was the dealers car.Had 26,000 miles when I got it. Aside from new tires, brakes it has been a charm.Regular maint and oil changes.Great gas mileage on long highway trips. We take driving vacations and it has never let us down. At 130,000 miles needed transmission, rebuilt and running just like before. This was the first major expense since I bought the car.
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Not splashy but functionable - 2002 Nissan Quest
By jrc0302 - January 26 - 10:00 amThe Quest doesnt turn heads, or zoom,zoom around town. This is my second (1998 GLE) and it has always been reliable. It has enough luxury with the heated leather seats and VCR plus, but the price didnt kill me. For an older couple like us, it provides enough hauling roon ,but with alittle bit of luxury.
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My first Disappointment in Nissan - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Killian Tools - January 23 - 5:56 pmIve worked and owned several Nissans. This is by far the worst one Ive had. At 67000 I had to have the Alternator replaced ($672.00) Now at 87000 the timing chain is rattling / pecking. Cost of repair $1104.63 Ive put over 200,000 miles on my altima.
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New and improved - 2007 Nissan Quest
By Crimson revolution - January 23 - 8:26 amGreat job on the redesign. Love the dual DVd screens. Lots of room and the comfort is fantastic.
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Problem with timing chain - 2007 Nissan Quest
By nikmol - January 23 - 6:08 amI have had a whining noise from the engine when accelerate. When to the Nissan dealer today to ask about it, and it could be the wheels that the timing chain is running (bad bearing or something like that). It would cost around $1800 to fix it. Even if I have an extended warranty, it wont cover it, since it is wear parts. So this seems to be a common problem then. Should I car with only 70k mileage have to change the timing chain and belonging parts. I think there should be a recall about this. [non-permissible content removed.]
