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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WARNING - DO NOT BUY THIS VAN!!!! - 2005 Nissan Quest
By denise - April 13 - 8:53 pmI bought this van relying on the Nissan Brand and quality. My car has hit 68000 miles and it is only 4 years old. I need a complete new transmission - it has been diagnosed by a transmission shop, an auto mechanic and Nissan. I called Nissans consumer affairs to get some understanding of why the transmission went out so early. I was given the run around but basically "sorry, we cannot assist you with your problem but thank you for being a Nissan consumer" On a four year car, I have replaced all four tires, brakes, driving belt and now I need a new transmission, one of my mountings is broken and the other needs replaced. Todays bill cost $3900. I am shocked. I should have kept my Dodge.
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THIS VAN SUCKS SOO MUCH!!! **BEWARNED INTO BUYING** - 2005 Nissan Quest
By kobebryant - March 10 - 12:22 pmFirst of all, i hate this van so much. i have had terrible experiences with it. I have way to many to tell you. First off, the van is WAY to low and this causes my catalytic converter to break and change. The transmission is now seeming to have trouble and thats what many people say. IT only has 93k on it and many problems i have with it. the doors do not open at all and you have to tug really hard and the automatic trunk will not budge open without pulling on it and breaking off the latch that covers it! Too many noises such as creaking noises, outside noises, and many more. Blower motor goes out, and brakes will not last for more than 6 months!! I REGRET BUYING IT AND IM WARNING YOU NOT T
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transmission problem, - 2011 Nissan Quest
By djohnny999 - January 28 - 4:37 pmwhen I first purchase , I had couple screw lose on drive side, check engine light come on, computer technology still not stability. axe have noise when you back up....
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STAY AWAY FROM THIS VEHICLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By JA - January 27 - 10:00 amAfter buying this vehicle I started having problems with it. There was a leak coming out of the sunglass holder anytime that it rained. After 3 times at the dealership they still havent found the source of the problem. Both sliding doors are still rattling even after the recall. This vehicle looks nice but Nissan has to get off there butt and take care of all the problems before they start selling them to the public. IM GETTING MY QUEST BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND TRADING IT IN TOMORROW FOR A FORD SUV. DONT BUY THIS VEHICLE EVEN IF IT IS THE LAST ONE ON EARTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Bad Desigh - 2004 Nissan Quest
By M-Biker - December 21 - 10:00 amOnly had the van a few month it has been in the shop for about two weeks with transmission problems, poor air conditioning, and sever ratttles. Nissan will not change the poor shifting of the transmission and the air conditioning of the van becasue they say it meets the factory criteria and all other Quests are the same. Extremely disappointed in Nissan, they used to produce quality cars!
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Never again - 2004 Nissan Quest
By RHICKEY - September 30 - 11:16 amWorst new vehicle I have ever driven. Rattles, squeaks, interior and exterior electricals going on the fritz. Paid $1000 to get into a four year lease on this van, happily paid about $3000 to get out 14 months later. Never got the luggage rack we were promised by the dealer. Took the van in for warranty repairs several times, rattling doors & "flat tire" sensors were never fixed. Actual gas milage was about 14 mpg (we got 18 from our full size Chevy extended cab 350 V8 pickup driving under identical conditions). We were offered a 12K mile extension of the warranty due to the number of times we took it in for service. Said no thanks, sent it back & got a Honda (we love it!).
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First Mini-van - 2006 Nissan Quest
By badtime - July 23 - 8:16 amAir compressor was frozen on the first trip (350 miles away). Spend your own money on hotel and food if you dont buy the Security+Plus package.
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Worst vehicle I have ever owned - 2004 Nissan Quest
By mastiffmom1 - April 26 - 12:27 amMy Quest has 60,000 miles on it and the dvd player has been replaced twice. The vents fall out of the ceiling constantly, the passenger visor falls out of the ceiling occasionally, when making a left hand turn with the headlights ALL the lights in van come on. The radio antenna has been replaced. The screen that displays everything stopped working. It rattles and shakes, it just sounds sometimes like it is going to fall apart. Worst of all at about 30,000 miles the paint started chipping off. Nissan fixed the little areas as they occurred, 5 days after the warranty ended the chipping started in other areas. ..Funny I saw a quest this weekend for sale with the paint falling off too
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Something breaks every month - 2006 Nissan Quest
By LostACustomer - March 30 - 6:03 pmDont buy this piece of junk unless you want to spend 2 trips a month. I traded it for a Toyota Sieanna and couldnt be happier. Things that went wrong were: - cranks forever - loss of power annually - powered sliding door keeps reversing and still isnt fixed. - vibrations at fwy speeds - gas gauge shows empty after a fill- up twice - passenger air bag shows off even when adult sits there - replaced radio keypad twice - lights falling out of ceiling - door panels coming off - glove compartment warped - shifter replaced - radio antenna weak - headrests are too far from your head so you can get a serious whiplash if you are rear-ended.
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Another Lemon - 2004 Nissan Quest
By tiffster - January 2 - 10:00 amWe have had nothing but problems with this van. We have started the process of filing lemon law on ours and if that doesnt work we are going to suck it up and loose money by trading it in for a vehicle that hopefully is manufactured better than this one. It is a rattle trap and no one can fix it yet. Problems are too many to list in 700 characters allowed here. Just save yourself the heartache and trouble that I am experiencing and DO NOT BUY A QUEST!!!
