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 quest fulfilled... - 2004 Nissan Quest
By MarianneS - October 27 - 10:00 amI have only ever owned a toyota.. I tes dri=ove every available moni0van.. Toyota was great but I was searching for a less conservative look with a bit of style.. the mon-ment I walked into the showroom I knew I ha found "my" car.... It is a beauty and a lot of car.. secure feeling when driving my children around.... Great design!!!
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Awsome - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Jakelamczy - October 27 - 10:00 amTHis is one of the best minivans ever. It has a very comfortable ride and is quiet. The engine and five speed automatic transmission work smoothly togetther. I love this car.
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Best Minivan with style ... - 2004 Nissan Quest
By laavram - October 27 - 10:00 amThis minivan drives great and gives a feel of an SUV with lots of room, room and fun to drive ...
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What were they thinking! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By ontheroad24/7 - October 14 - 2:00 amIt gets plenty of looks, and the engine is strong. However it the ergonomics of this craft that werent thought through. I cant tell you how many times I have rapped my knuckles on the gear shift selector,while reaching for the other instrumentation. And a few times while in city traffic, hitting the O/D button and throwing the engine into a 600rpm jump in the attempt. The interior is also too dark, with little to no illumination while driving at night. There is also no ilumination for the multifunctions of the six switches in the steering wheel. So one must memorize there function or turn on the interior lights to use.
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Enjoyed until - 2012 Nissan Quest
By DChief - October 7 - 10:16 amWe enjoyed overall. But, we were hit 2 weeks after buying and in shop for months. then got regular maintenance. Went though 5 set of tires, most ever on a vehicle. Now at 152,000, the transmission can not be repaired. Have to replace, itll cost me 3,3000 and AC is not as cool as it used to be. Nissan service has no interest in helping me only stated I need to replace the transmission when I went in for I fluid service. Value is so upside down that trading in is an option. Not happy.
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A Break From the Norm - 2005 Nissan Quest
By Wm - September 24 - 3:30 pmThis is a GREAT vehicle in contrast to the Honda/Toyota. Quality, quiet ride. Experts/critics who knock center console just havent gotten use to it. It is awesome to get into something that is truly different.
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Never Buying Nissan Again - 2008 Nissan Quest
By cmadd78 - September 17 - 3:06 pmWe bought a NEW Nissan Quest in 2008. When we first bought we enjoyed every aspect of it. About a month later the problems began. The windows would whistle as we picked up speed (dealership claimed it was normal), we had some problems with ac not working properly (dealership fixed), and then a few years later the cheap car starts having more and more issues. The passengers side mirror cover on the visor falls off, the body rattles, the passengers side window motor quit working, the brake disks warped and had to be replaced, you so much as sneeze on the thing and the paint will scratch or the body dents. Features are nice but van is built too cheap. Cant wait to get rid of it!!
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first impression of new van - 2004 Nissan Quest
By feharper - September 14 - 10:00 amI have to say that I am in love with this van, styling beautiful, with great handling, comfort and amenities. Little or no lean in turns, very roomy. The instrument panel takes a little getting used to, but functions well, and once learned, is simple and easy.
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Best minivan - 2007 Nissan Quest
By Connecticut - September 14 - 5:00 amGreat family car. Have had ours for about ten months and 5,000 miles. No problems. Highly recommend the car, and have no regrets what so ever. Take a look to see how many recalls there have been on the 07 quest, and you will understand why I think so highly of it The only draw back is the lack of snow tires for this vehicle (225-65-16).
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mike - 2005 Nissan Quest
By MIchael Amato - September 12 - 3:53 pmGreat van, i recommend this car over all other minvans, this is the easiest van to get into. im 70 with a bad back.
