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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  Rear bumper is plastic and is unsafe - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Plastic bumpr unsafe - January 12 - 4:06 pm

  Someone rear-ended me and I got a horrible whiplash and the rear was bent badly at 30 mph. Turns out that the rear bumper is made of PLASTIC, not a steel bumper like the Toyota Sienna. Also, the headrests are ergonomically wrong because they are too far back so it does NOT protect you from a whiplash. The Nissan Quest also rides too low to the ground so it tends to scrape things and the long wheelbase got me scraping the pavement which took out a baseball size hole in my the vans body. The wheelbase is too long so turning radius is huge so you cant make a U-turn and parking is difficult because it always require backing up and forth.

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  GoQuest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By johndm - January 9 - 10:00 am

  We have waited for over three years to get the quest in a blue with lether int. and finaly they came out with one. It handles great and has all the room for us and the grnadchildren. They love the dual DVD and being able to see it from the second and third row seats with no fighting as to who will set by the DVD screen. I would recommend this minivan to everyone. It has a larger area for storage even with all seats up than any of the other vans its size, and we checked all of them before getting this one.

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  Beware of Toyo A22 Tire Wear - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By Lawrence Blind - December 27 - 1:11 pm

  The original tires on our Quest, Toyo A22, have worn to the wear bars at 22,800 miles. After some online research I have discovered that others have also noticed and complained about this. Our vehicle is driven around town for usual family outings, and a couple of longer out of town trips. Our Firestone dealer, who services the vehicle and rotates the tires regularly, said there is no OEM warranty on the tire, either from Nissan or Toyo. Others have commented that the tires were likely not sized correctly by Nissan to handle the vehicle weight, and we think there is something to this argument. The only other conclusion is that the Toyo A22 are a very cheap tire thrown on a new car to save a few $$. Either way, we are very disappointed that we need to replace the tires with such low mileage on them, and we will certainly avoid purchasing either new Toyo tires or any vehicle with them in the future.

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  Nothing More I could ask for! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Pipay V. C. - December 26 - 10:00 am

  First time I drove this van, I thought the engine wasnt running! I observed most people look at me like I was driving an out-of-this world vehicle! Ive seen the new Sienna & the 03 Odyssey but theyre still the same old looking minivan I grew tired with. This one drives like a compact car with its handling. And it looks like a quasi-SUV when you view it drom behind. When we got our old 2000Quest befor, I always thought that Nissan could do much more with that car, & true to that Nissan had done their homework I am grateful that they designed a car-like van for the discriminating...I actually expected it. And with my new Quest--I couldnt ask for more!

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  Mixed Review - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By cbnbuilder - December 23 - 6:40 pm

  We have owned our 2006 Quest for 2-1/2 years. It has 61,000 miles. All recommended service performed by Dealer. Although the van has been reliable till recently, the transmission went out two weeks ago (1,000 miles outside the warranty period). After much (too much) debate and pleading, Nissan covered the repair ($4100). When we picked the van up from our dealer, the windshield was busted... were still debating their responsibility. I find the seats to be very roomy but uncomfortable. Front seat feels like you are sliding out of them toward the steering wheel, makes you kind of hold on to wheel to brace yourself all the time. Original Goodyear tires were noisy and wore poorly.

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  Worst Quest by far - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By V. Chai - December 20 - 2:00 am

  3 days on the road, the engine malfunction light went on. The computer had to be reprogrammed and an engine part replaced. Took 4 days to diagnose and repair! Now 2 weeks later, found out the right sliding door itself unbelievably scratching the side of the body making scratch marks both inside and out! Armrest,sliding door,rear window on left side are too loose while those on the right too tight. Gas consumption is almost 40% more than the spec, and definitely more than my moms SUV. Felt totally betrayed by its looks.

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  2012 Nissan Quest SL - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By westbrock6 - December 17 - 3:54 pm

  I have owned every car possible in the past few years. The 2011 Traverse LTZ, 2010 Honda Odyssey exl/res, 2008 Grand Caravan,2011 Suburban LT, 2010 Kia sedona Ex to name a few. I just bought the 2012 Nissan Quest SL it is the best driving van I have owned, interior is beautiful, the sunroofs are awsome, and the kids love the dvd screen that drops down from the ceiling with the push of a button. My husband who has hated minivans wants to drive this one. I loved the style and handling of the traverse but it was too small I have 4 kidos, finally the vehicle that has the sporty style, fun to drive crossover feel with all the space needed for the kids and their stuff. You have to drive this !!

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  Best minivan of all. - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By danny - December 13 - 7:50 am

  At price of $21000, Quest is the best minivan available. Beside the stylish, the 2nd row can fold down. Unlike any other minivan. It also have power on both side sliding and rear. Great Minivan.

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  Poor mileage - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By greyes - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I love the van except for the mileage! When I purchased the vehicle, it was rated at 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. I have driven the van for a little over 13,000 miles now, and the most I get is 14.8 mpg city and 15.8 mpg highway. I contacted the Nissan Dealership and Nissan Headquarters in Gardena, California, but all I got was the standard answer ("Those are tests performed on perfect conditions"). Needless to say, I am very disappointed with the mileage. My friend has a Honda Oddyssey and he is getting the rated mileage.

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  a must drive , # 1 good job nissan - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By marka0919 - December 9 - 10:00 am

  we drove the honda and the toyota . The room is incredible, the seating positions on the second row is so unique, make sure the salesperson shows you how to adjust the 2nd row seats. the third row is so easy to fold flat, very quiet cabin at highway speeds, and the entertainmant system is a must have. if you like to travel fold down the third seat in all of the ones you drive and put in your vacation gear like we did. the quest was the only one with room to spare. you can look at cubic feet of cargo space but if it isnt usable it only looks good on paper. WE have owned 3 maximas 2 altimas and this is my first QUEST AND THEY ARE AWESOME!!!!!