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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  fun to ride - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By Torres Family - December 9 - 3:46 am

  We love to ride our nissan quest its very quiet and strong, and our kids love the convinience of having a tv/vcr unit. GREAT VAN, GREAT VALUE.

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  I LOVE driving my Nissan Quest!!!!!!!!! - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By MinivanMom - November 30 - 2:00 am

  First of all, let me say that I never wanted a minivan. I am one of those moms who really wanted a big SUV, but deep inside knew I could not afford the gas. In comes my slightly used 2000 Nissan Quest GXE...I really love this minivan. It is fun to drive and really handles the road well. In my Quest, I do not feel like I am driving a minivan. It looks great, inside and outside and gets good gas mileage, too! AND...its a NISSAN!!! I would recommend this minivan to anyone. I cant wait to see what the future holds for the Nissan Quest. From a very happy Nissan Quest owner!

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  This van is a piece of junk - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By kn - November 26 - 10:03 am

  This van looks nice and thats about it. Our problems began at 4,000 miles and now were at 45,000 and the problems have not ended. The van is in the shop every 4-6 mos. Exhaust bracket broken several times, 3 sets of brakes, 2 sets of rotors, header pipe, parking brake assembly replaced x 2 and tightened x 4, catalytic converter replaced, battery x 2. Nissan has had terrible customer service, even at corporate office. Customer service is not their #1 if you have a problem, only when youre there for routine maintenance.

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  120000 and still going - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By happy camper - November 24 - 4:36 am

  Bought the van, used with 30,000 miles logged on it, put on an additional trouble free 100,000 miles on it. Had none of the problems mentioned by other reviewers, ( must have been lucky I guess ). Change the oil regularly, replaced the tires twice bought some studded snow tires for winter travel and in that configuration it handles like a regular 4 wheel drive vehicle .

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  Looks great -too stylish to be practical - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By croon3 - November 20 - 5:46 pm

  Best looking minivan out there, but rattles like a 6 yr old Chevy van. Engine is racy, but interior is not family friendly. Whoever chose light dove grey for an interior color doesnt have kids! Front end shakes and will need realignment often - factory defect, but dealer wont fix. Plastic and hard to clean interior, rattles all over place-think twice before buying! Looks better than all others, but not practical!

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  Bad auto mechanic - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Hi - November 10 - 12:20 pm

  This van is huge. It has a lot amount of space for all seven people. then theres the problems. Fist two days after buying the van the service light went on. We take it to the dealership and the catalytic converter is bad. We leave for a ten hour trip the next day. They gave us a rental for a month! Then just couldnt fix the van. When we got it back it was making some weird noise. Take it to the shop, They cant here it. Thats only the start. This vans been in the shop over 13 times, in 9 months. The next problem is the cheap booty materials. The worst part is how low it is. We live in the boondocks and we always bottom out. Although it has a smooth ride when its not broke.

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  Very Good Van W/few problems - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By Quest owner - November 4 - 9:16 am

  This has been a very good van for our family for the past seven years. It has been very reliable and a pleasure to drive. The fuel injection system does require cleaning every 30K miles or the pedal will "stick". The interior features have much to be desired, the cupholders, TV/VCR,and seat handles, side vent window latches, are not of good quality. The display of the radio has faded out for a couple of years now, the radio still works however. We are beginning to experience some electrical problems with the power vent windows, turn signal, and window/door lock controls. Overall we have been very pleased with the van and with 84K miles some repairs are to be expected.

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  After one year - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By David M Johnston - October 29 - 1:13 pm

  A good looking, good driving van. It draws compliments wherever it goes. Fit and finish is good in and out but interior materials seem cheap to me. A vehicle that sells for over 30k shouldnt have to use a prop rod to hold the hood open, Air conditioner works well but fan is noisy. Heater is barely up to the task.

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  New Van - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By swanny123 - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Very well equipped. Engineers did alot of thinking to add the details of the features.

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  2004 Nissan Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By sushi96720 - October 27 - 10:00 am

  The Quest has more power than the american counterparts however the engine noise is rather loud as compared to Dodge Caravan. The seats are not as comfortable as I initially thought. You dont get the feeling of support from the seat.