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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  This van is great! - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Brad - May 2 - 1:06 pm

  We traded in our 03 Honda Oddy for the Quest SL. The Nissan blows the Honda away. It is much nicer to drive and offers much more for the money. We liked our Honda, BUT WE LOVE OUR NISSAN!!!

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  Quest the best for our family - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By David Koenig - April 21 - 2:00 am

  We started looking at vans about 1 year ago. Finally we needed the van and test drove several. The Quest was the best for our family. Room - lots of room, wide opening doors with power. Leather seats for wear and tear by the kids. Plenty of power and handling for the city. Along with traction control for the bad weather. An excellent value for the money we spent. The Quest 3.5 SL has a great seating arrangement and the console in the middle is great. The sonar for backing up is excellent for as long as this vehicle is. Cant comment on the long term reliability but so far, so good.

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  new - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By hawaiian - April 17 - 4:56 am

  Just picked up this van and i think its a good deal. Nissan did a good job keeping this design fresh until the new 2003 model appears (rumored anyway) The interior is a big improvement over the old model and the size perfect for in-town/parking garages. The Nissan P/up, Altima, and Sentra I had were all reliable and never gave me any problems.

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  Hate minivans---love this one - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By Brand New Daddy - April 1 - 2:00 am

  I have owned Toyotas for the last 6 years. My wife bought a Nissan Maxima a few years back and I realized that Nissan makes a better car for the money. So, when we had our son, we decided we needed more room. We broke down and looked at minivans. Hated everyone I tested, but we got a GREAT deal on the Nissan Quest. Since then, I have really grown to love the car. I have no idea what the editors are thinking--this car blows the Honda and Toyota away. However, I do think the minivan needs restyling (been pretty much the same overall style since mid 90s)...

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  I made the right choice - 2011 Nissan Quest
  By wilson3704 - March 29 - 9:21 am

  I did a little bit of research, prior to buying my Nissan Quest. I went mostly on my instinct. I had always believed Honda made a good product. But I do not always buy into what everyone says. Imagine how everyones life would be if they used a little bit of critical thinking. [violative content deleted]

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  timing chain - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By retha - March 24 - 7:00 pm

  I love my Nissan, and it fits my family really well.It is really beautiful and everyone that sees it tells me what a nice vehicle it is.It has a smooth ride and is very comfortable.

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  Worth the wait - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By blanfor - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I was sold on this car the minute I saw it.Traded in a 95 Quest; got a very good deal at Grubbs Nissan. Lots of neat new stuff, great ride, lots of thinking went into this design for once. A real head-turner and fun to drive; very responsive, nimble, feels like youre in a much more expensive car. Fold down seats are a real plus. I make up excuses to drive this car!

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  For want of a fuse...... - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By teachermom - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This is beyond doubt the safest, most comfortable van our family has owned. We love it. However, the interior light fuse blew within a week, and after replacement, within four days, again!The dealership cannot find the problem. Even the seemingly odd placement of the radio is a safety feature....no leaning over WHATSOEVER is necessary. The design for front-end collision with drop-down engine, tent-folding hood, etc., plus the all-the-way-around airbags has us feeling as safe as possible on the road. Now if we can just get those lights to stay on.......

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  Great MPG - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By ed - March 20 - 2:13 am

  We needed larger transportation so we checked out Honda, Toyota and Nissan. The Nissan had what we needed and at the right price. We drove 300 miles to the shore the next week and got 29.6 mpg all highway with cruse control. Mixed driving is 21 mpg. Love the tinted glass on the base model. It carries everything you need to take the family on vacation. It is also great for getting on the highway, very good acceleration.

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  LOVE IT! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Olivia - March 15 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY NEW QWEST! It is so fun to drive. Ive also had lots of compliments from people about the stylish looks. The kids love the skyview windows & the raised seating for the 3rd row. This is my 4th minivan & it has a much more roomy & comfortable feel than anything else Ive owned. The center console (although a little odd when you first see it) is great! It is so easy to find the controls for everything once you get used to it. My only complaints are the reflection on the windshield from the driver storage on the dash & the passenger side sliding door on ours has developed a loud rattle.