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 Golden Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Linda Pardue - November 25 - 10:00 am

  I have driven Lincolns and Caddys. This Van drive and handles better. For a Large vehicle, when inside it seems like you are in a small RV. Easy handling and turing. MANY compliments on this Van. I like not seeing the hood from the drivers side making it easier to park. The total inside has the ability to walk from the front to the third row. Even has hooks thru-out for those alful plastic grocery bags.

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  Love my Big Baby Blue Buggy - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Pat Hightower - November 21 - 10:00 am

  We were searching for a mid-size mini-van that would seat 6 comfortably for travel. The Quest was the answer --and there was a baby blue in stock --my favorite color. Although I had just had my Honda serviced ($250) one hour before, when I saw the Quest and drove it, my mind was made up. I have not been disappointed! Have made several trips with daughter and family. Plenty of room for all and our luggage and portable refrigerator! My six year old grandson gave it the name B4 (see title of review.) In the past I have owned several cars, including a red Jaguar X12 convertible --and the B4 is still my favorite!

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  Did I get lucky? - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Tom - November 12 - 8:50 am

  After reading so many bad reviews, I must have gotten lucky with my van. I traded in a 2003 Lexus RX300 as I needed the additional room. Travel a lot. Love the van in every way. Great gas mileage average 23.5 around town and took a 6,000 mile trip to Northeast areas and Nova Scotia and got 26.7 for trip. No problems at all so far. Have all the bells and whistles and love them too. Maybe the Lexus had a better GPS but this van is better on the road then the Lexus I had. Roomy, peppy for a van, handles great and whats not to like? Sorry others are not so fortunate. Would I buy another Nissan, Probably. But Honda is good too. I had a 2001 with little problems but not nearly as nice

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  Quests are great! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By C. Evans - November 6 - 12:46 am

  The Quest has been a smooth, comfortable driving experience under most circumstances. It does not handle well in wet/snowy road conditions (and I KNOW how to drive in the snow...in a van even) and has a few issues with side doors opening in extreme weather conditions (below -25 and also above 105). They were recalled and fixed but we still experience the problem. Always make sure side doors are closed before switching gears. Other than that, the interior design is great, every seat has a perfect ride! Very quiet road noise and very quiet body with no squeaking too and excellent options make this van a perfect fit for large young families.

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  Best value minivan - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By zyndurai1 - November 5 - 9:32 pm

  This van is fairly fun to drive. What makes it fun is how luxury and comfortable you feel when driving it. I seriously considered the odyssey and sienna but you just get more for your money with this one. The looks also is much better than the others. My boys love the entertainment DVD. IPhone blue tooth is good but not great as well as input for listening music from your iPhone. It works but you have to do a little playing around to get sound from different apps. You get this van for its value and the look and feel. The others are good if you want more amenities like cooler or split screen DVD. This one feels most comfortable IMO.

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  Love it ! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By thedibs - October 31 - 10:00 am

  After driving the Sienna, and the Oddysey, the Quest just blew me away. It is designed for a Family to have fun in it. The center console with the gages is actually better as you have a better view of the road.

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  So Far.... So Great! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By tmc - October 31 - 10:00 am

  We just purchased an SE last week and Im thrilled with the styling and amenities. I traded in our 1993 Quest with 195,000 miles and hope this one will last as well. Cant yet tell about reliability etc. but the aesthetics of the car are spectacular! The wife and kids love the skylights, DVD and 10 speaker stereo. Cant wait to take it on a trip. We chose this over Sienna because our 93 Quest was so great and the Siennas were so hard to find and lacked pizazz.

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  Trouble Free - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By Happy Owner - October 28 - 10:06 pm

  Never had any problems with this van. Had Ford, Chevy and Dodge vans and this is by far superior in low maintenance costs. I have only had to do brakes, tires, oil changes and 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000 maintenance. Great for family vacations and shopping trips. Several trips to the hardware store and it will hold up to ten foot long boards and lots of bags of concrete, bark and potting soil. Drives and handles great. I also have a Frontier and am very impressed with Nissan reliability and dependability. Even with over 100,000 miles still feel comfortable with taking it on trips.

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  Excellent Vehicle!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By SPJ - October 11 - 9:20 am

  This is a great van, I dont quite understand all the negative reviews. Great design, comfort (we got the cloth seats as they felt better than the leather!), performance and room. We had a Toyota Sequoia but wanted to get back to a "car-feel" vehicle. The Quest has as much room as the Sequoia and neat design features such as the SkyView roof, "Podium" style center stack controls, heated seats, and great engine. Save money vs. the Sienna or Odyssey which are great vans but this Quest beats them by far in having a much cooler design. I am 61" and love the adjustable pedals (which I thought only Ford had). We are very pleased!!

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  Quest Review - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Deolal - September 19 - 10:00 am

  I have been very happy with the performance of the Quest, the looks and confort. what a fantastic vehicle. Manuverablilty and stability great. Great adjustibility for the drivers seat for leg comfort, whether you are a big person or small, unlike my sienna.