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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Wonderful! - 2005 Nissan Quest
By David - April 29 - 4:30 pmI dont care what any of the "big auto folks" say, this minivan is fantastic!! I havent had any of the problems that have supposedly plagued it. I think some folks just had a little "buyers remorse" when they started having to make the payment. The exterior design sets it apart from other minivans...very sleek, and futuristic. The interior is very spacious with TONS of storage everywhere. And yes, I even like the gauge cluster in the middle...its different, and I like different. Great get up and go, and extremely quiet! And definitely spend the extra $ and get the Bose sound system...nothing like turning the kids heads on the road like a booming minivan!!
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mine - 2000 Nissan Quest
By soupbone38 - April 17 - 2:00 amthis van rocks! best cheap van out there!
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AWSOME - 2004 Nissan Quest
By GONSO - April 13 - 2:00 amI LOVE THIS MINIVAN!!! IT IS SO FUN TO DRIVE.
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A vehicle unlike any other - 2004 Nissan Quest
By jdiffy - April 9 - 10:00 amIve owned this 2004 Quest for several months now and have nothing but praise for this vehicle. The center console takes a few days to get used to but actually feels like it belongs centrally located. After reading several website reviews on this vehicle, I think some members testdriving these cehicles need to own the van before speaking. This is SERIOUS departure from the norm in design, but it all works well in the end. Some reviewers seem to have a problem with the new design of this van. I am not one of these people.
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excellent drive and inovative design. - 2006 Nissan Quest
By Jagdeep - March 16 - 2:16 amStand out in terms of great design, stylish interior, 10 spkr boss system, aerodynamic 5 moon roofs. fun to drive
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Not your average mini-van - 2008 Nissan Quest
By blundoboys - March 14 - 6:23 pmWith a large family of 4 children, we are forced to drive a mini-van. Ive owned 2 prior mini-vans in the past & always "felt" like I was driving a mini-van. With the Quest, not only does it not look like your average mini-van, but you feel like youre driving a luxurious car, not some soccer mom vehicle (even though thats what it is). The interior is amazing, my husband & I actually argue on whos going to drive it where as before I could have cared less. I love this van & would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone in the market for a new mini-van w/ a large family.
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I Love my 2004 Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Donna Harper - February 19 - 10:00 amI love almost everything about this vehicle. It is so different from other mini-vans. It is stylish,sleek, elegant,and modern, not your typical ugh van. It is beautiful and fun. The interior is roomy and well....only one word to describe it..COOL! It is fun to drive, handles extremely well, and has many great safety features. The only thing I would change about this van is give it more cargo room by splitting the back seat. I might also add a split bench seat in the center row. I know it has wonderful safety features, but I would be more comfortable with my grandson in the center of the center seats rather than against the door or in the very back.
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Slam dunk family vehicle - 2008 Nissan Quest
By forgetfl - February 12 - 4:33 amWe just bought our Quest SE model after months of looking at the other minivans, including the new chrysler and looking at the GM crossover vehicles Acadia and Outlook. You just cant beat the interior volume in the Quest and the beautifully finished interior. The Mazda CX9 interior may be the best in the crossover market, but in our opinion the Quest is a close second. The Sienna interior is a bit long in the tooth and the Odyssey is nice, but doesnt have the skylights or the factory trailering option which is key for us because of our hitch mounted bike trailer and cargo carrier. The other minivan hitches significantly reduce ground clearance.
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THE BEST MINIVAN ON EARTH!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By questlover - January 31 - 10:00 amLike most people i did extensive research before dediding to purchase this piece of perfection. I drove the siena and the odessy and they both perfomed very well, but they lack the styling and charisma that this quest has. The leather is much like the comforts of home and the fact i can slide 4 by 8 sheets of goods for my home improvement projects. I really couldnt ask for much more in a minivan
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Lots of Rattles - 2004 Nissan Quest
By mjcp - January 31 - 5:26 amLove the style, room, etc., but hate the rattles.
