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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  STAY AWAY FORM THIS VEHICLE - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By sunflowergrl - August 27 - 10:00 am

  I have filed a BBB suit against Nissan, that is how many problems I have had with this vehicle. In the garage more than on the road. Maybe it will be better when they get all the bugs worked out, but I got stuck with a Lemon that they dont want back!!!!

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  lemon vehicle - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By frances - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Has been to service department 7 times since purchase. Problems with interior lighting--see service bulletin, loose steering column, fuel chamber leak, transmission shift knob came out and broke, overall very frustrating experience since purchase.Current complaint filed with Better Business Bureau

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  this car sucks - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Greg Terterian - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Had major problems with both side sliding doors. Too much noise (took the car to the dealer 5 times) and the noise is still there... it just get worst... Door closes itself, while peope are trying to enter to the vehicle. Door stays half open while you are closing and than you have to open manually. Both, front passanger and driver seats are the most unconfortable seats in the world... try to put your head to the headrest...

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  We absolutely LOVED our Nissan Quest, until.. - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By Rachel B. - August 3 - 7:33 pm

  We loved our Nissan Quest, until the warranty ran out. Now, the car we once loved and adored, sits at the Nissan Service center, with $6500 worth of repairs on the CVT transmission and AC unit. We cant afford the repairs, since we still owe $15,000 on the car. Nissan has offered us zero support, despite the wide spread number of documented complaints on 2010-2012 Nissans CVT transmissions, and Nissan Quest A/C units. Additionally, the car has gone through 6 sets of tires, and seems to need breaks every few months. It is VERY costly to own a Nissan Quest. I suggest, if youre in the market for a used mini van, stay away from the Quest, and look at something like a Kia Sedona, which has a stronger warranty.

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  NEVER AGAIN. - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By hasman69 - March 28 - 1:53 pm

  From what I have been reading, I have been lucky cause I havent had this many problems but all in all if I had to do it again, I wouldnt. Bought it new in July of 2006, I wanted the Honda but wifey liked the Nissan and since its primarily her car I went with it, mistake right there. I do admit I like the roominess of it but thats where it stops. We have only had 49000 miles on it in 6 1/2 years but so far nothing major but its the little things. First of all, its not very quiet, its made cheap from the inside, yes our vents fall off too. The rear sliding door started making noise while driving and dealer kept lubricating but nothing.

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  Not So Good - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Dean Jones - March 15 - 4:40 am

  The transmission was replaced at 10,000 miles. At 17,000 miles the seal on the new transmission had to be replaced. Yesterday I was driving and the transmission would not shift out of second gear. Yes the overdrive was off and the transmission was not in low. Thats the same thing it did before the first transmission was replaced. The rear sliding passanger door rattles. It has been repaired three times. The back of the drivers seat fell off. And the A/C works poorly. Im hoping to lemon law this thing.

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  Unhappy with Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Plantation - February 7 - 10:00 am

  We have had many problems with our Quest that Nissan cant seem to resolve. The major recall did not manage to fix these problems. We are trying to Lemon Law our van. It has been in the shop almost one time per month since we got it. We have just given up.

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  Not quite, but almost a lemon - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By Southern CA - February 3 - 2:00 am

  During the first 8000 miles, Ive been back for warranty repair 5 times. All were a/c problems, the last 3 were for gas leaks, and if it required a 4th visit, then the CA lemon law would have applied. I needed to seat 7 and I thought it was a good value. I would not buy it again because of the poor quality. With 14000 miles on it, windows rattle, tail gate sags, tires loose 5lbs of air every 2 weeks, strange metallic sounds when the engine starts, and a musky odor from the air vents. Im just hoping it last until I can afford to trade it in.

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  I will never buy Nissan again - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Horrible Van - December 4 - 8:03 am

  We bought the Quest believing that Nissan makes a good product. We were disappointed from the start. The gear lever came off, the seat adjustment came off several times, the door button fell inside the panel, the arm rests wont stay even, the sliding doors rattle and we were told nothing could be done. The exterior is cheap and gets dinged easily. The front nose cone is cheap plastic and breaks constantly requiring replacement of the entire cone. The tires are a rip off as you can only buy one type of tire at a high price. The car has been a complete disapointment.

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  Will Never buy another Nissan - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By JAM - September 11 - 1:43 pm

  The van drives nice and is a comfortable ride. Have had a lot of problems. Engine power problems, door leaks, gas gauge not working, etc. Every time we take it to the dealership for repairs, they cannot find the problem. I am told that they will not fix the problem unless they can duplicate it. Bad service policy. They also never can find any error codes on the computer. On my American cars, the mechanics can always find error codes telling them the problems. I have no faith in the Nissan technology or service structure. I will never buy another Nissan.