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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  Luv My Quest!!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By browniee - August 2 - 2:00 am

  We had looked at purchasing a new minivan for about 6 months and were not too thrilled with the cookie cutter appearance of them. We were going to replace our old Caravan with either a Honda Odyssey or another Caravan but truth be told neither one was too exciting. We saw a Quest add on TV, went to the Nissan web site, and then the dealer.WOW! So different from everything else out there and a pleasure to drive.

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  Just got it,… love it! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Amad - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I got the S 3.5 V6 and its the best!

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  reliable family vehicle - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By Tallahasse Family - July 29 - 2:06 pm

  Very reliable, only problem was VCR & it was under warranty. Very comfortable on long trips, video and lots of power outlets for kids stuff is great. 19 mpg in town.

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  Never Thought I would Buy a Van - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By M.J. RAINES - July 25 - 12:10 am

  I have driven other vans at work;however, when I test drove this van I was impressed. I had my heart set on a Maxima but the wife quickly changed that. We ended up buying this van and I have no regrets. I live in an area where its HOT. This van handles the climate well. I took the van out of town and was surprised with both the gas mileage and performance. I have taken my radar detector out of storage and now use it in this van. The only complaint I have is the interior controls seem cheap. Nissan should look into better quality parts.

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  Reliability???? - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Dan - July 24 - 1:03 am

  Have had this van for 3 years. Biggest complaint are tires. Nissan corporate gives you the runaround when you try to call in & complain about the substandard tire wear. Corporate tells you its a tire manufacturer problem & to call the tire manufacturer. DO NOT BUT THAT LINE FROM CORPORATE!!! They are the ones who send out the specs for tires to the tire folks. Averaging only 20K to 30K til tire replace. Were on our 5th pair of tires with only 41K miles on it. Had a complete brake job at 30K miles. CD was stuck in the CD player. Slider door seals keep detaching. Lower engine cover keeps falling off. Van sits too low to the ground. Overall maintenance & reliability are very, very poor

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  quest s poor gas mileage - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Mooney - July 22 - 10:00 am

  The gas mileage on this vehicle is terrible compared to what it was advertized to be. I have had 5 recalls on this vehicle in the first 8 months of ownership and I think this is excessive for a new automobile.

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  great van - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By phummel - July 22 - 10:00 am

  It rides like a limo,performs like sports car,We have a family of six and have lots of room.

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  BEWARE!! 10 RECALLS Already! - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By Mindy McNicholas - July 16 - 4:30 pm

  Our experience with Nissan and its main headquarters has been very poor. Our new Quest has been in the shop 17 times since we purchased it in October of 2005. (We own a 2006 Nissan Quest.) The mileage is very poor. It averages 15-18 mpg (half of the driving is highway!). Nissan has yet to fix all of the problems (rattling door, 10 recalls, broken automatic door, drivers seat loose, sound on the radio doesnt work when it rains...etc.) Beware of Nissans new tactic of not keeping parts in stock. This is how they save money. You can wait weeks before a part comes in and you have time to get it serviced. Nissan took the fun out of buying a new vehicle :(

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  Excellent Minivan - even the base model - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By A Paul - July 14 - 12:06 pm

  Pros: Lots of Standard features - Yes in base 3.5 model. (Traction, ABS,Brake Assist, curtain airbags, Tire pressure monitoring 2nd and 3rd Row AC Vent, Foldable 2nd and 3rd row seats, Trip Computer, Decent Audio system with AUX port for MP3) Excellent Saftey Excellent Performance Decent gas milage 14-18 city /25 - Highway Very good suspension Cons: Nothing so far we have driven only 1500 miles. The look from the back would have been slightly better. We got a black color one and that looks great Overall: We wanted a base model minivan and doing extensive research. We compared Toyota , Honda, Chrysler, Nissan and few other base models and Quest is the Best.

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  Loved, then not so loved. - 2011 Nissan Quest
  By p_c - July 6 - 9:01 am

  We really, really wanted to continue liking our 2011 Quest, but it has gotten to the point that we are selling it before paying it off and getting out of the vehicle before something major (a.k.a. expensive) occurs. Within 1 year, both front doors required the bolts to be re-tightened as they got loose. That is ridiculous as a quality assurance problem from the factory. Within 2.5 years, it required new tires all the way around. 30k miles. Engine starting occasionally sputters, fails to start. It has run rough until warming up as well. Accessory belt is squeaking when humid outside and engine is cold. Engine oil change had metal bits recently, 32k miles. Brake job required, 33k.