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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  3 years - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By jb - August 7 - 5:10 am

  After three years and 46,000 miles the van is still doing great inside and out. The Nissan Quest took quite a beating when it came on the scene in 2004 and in some instances rightfully so. However, our 2005 Quest has not missed a beat after three years of fairly heavy use. The van has had only normal maintenance nothing major, ever. Kids still absolutely love the van. Their friends still rate it a "10" and fight over who carpools in it. Four are still bugging their parents to buy a Quest because it is the "coolest van ever" or "the most technologically advanced van" they have ever been in. Van has held up exceptionally well.

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  almost perfect - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By value shopper - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Great van, GLE package a must, The only thing I would like, is more HP , I found that with the 5 of us it took some time getting up to a good speed when getting on the Interstate. If they could produce a 200+ HP van , I would be a Quest customer for life.

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  No mini-van even comes close!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By J. Garrison - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I was blown away by the new design of the Quest!! The first things I was impressed by were the new features and the roominess. But what really sold me was the way it drives!! Its stylish like a SUV but drives more like a sports car. The pick-up it has is unbelievable. The skyview is awesome!! The Bose stereo and DVD player make you feel like you are in a theater. The ride is very stable and practically no road noise. No mini-van can even come close. I used to be hooked on the Odyssey which now seems so outdated compared to the Quest!!

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  Great Minivan for the Price is the Best - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Mastro Calo - July 31 - 7:30 am

  Great Minivan, ride like an Automovil. Interior is very confortable and lot of Room, seats are great, love the spacious in the back with seat down.Engine very Responsive and Fast. Stereo sounds great with 8 speakers. Use regular Gasoline and getting 19.8 MPG. Price was 23,500.00 plus taxes, etc. Recommed High this new 2005 Quest 3.5S. Give the try.

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  Not what I thought it should be - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By Minivan Mom - July 31 - 3:26 am

  We bought our Quest for the room and outside design. The room is great and we enjoy all the bells and whistles, such as the DVD and radio, cd changer. We are not very happy with quality of the van. We have had the weather stripping replaced 2 times, the gas gauge shows empty sometimes after filling up, I actually was so embarrassed at the gas station when I went in to tell them that the pump must be broken, because there was no gas in my car, but the pump charged me. Come to find out it was the defect in the car that made it not register. It has done this several times since. We are now having problems with it spark knocking and losing power like it is running out of gas.

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  better minivan not best one - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Sid1 - July 27 - 10:00 am

  ABCd

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  You must owne one - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By usmc0919 - July 27 - 10:00 am

  There are no words to discrive this van is just the perfect vehicle.My wife gets home from a long day at the office and she sits in the van for a good 30 to 45 minutes, I have to go outside a couple of times to get her to come inside the house.Im glad the car was for my use,I have only driven the car once since we purchased it,but I dont care she and I are very happy and I recomend this car to any person out there that is looking both for confort and luxury.Thank you Nissan

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  Nice Van for a Mini Van - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By lockshop - July 27 - 10:00 am

  I love this van. It does everything I need it to do and then some.

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  Nissan Quest Minivan 2004 - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By sr douglas - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Ride is great. This was compared with the Sienna 2004. The van rides and corners extremely well. The centered control for the vehicle was of great interest to me. I like it. The six zcd changer is great. The rear well behind the 3rd row of seat is grest and spacious. The skyview is a great innovation.

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  2004 Quest Hits the Mark - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Captain Alaska - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Extremely nice ride and the technology included makes it a winner for the male ego. The navigation system is superb, with the ability to edit locations real handy for fine-tuning the general to the specific. I am truly glad I purchased this automobile.