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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  Another Very Satisfied - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By FALEPIK - September 17 - 8:23 pm

  Knock on wood, I have had minimal problems compared to some of the other posts. The only problem has been with the sliding door mechanism Nissan recalled. So far, this has been an excellent car for our family of 5(3 children below 7. It rides great and has been very reliable. Also, Nissan (and Troncali Nissan in particular) has stepped up and provided excellent customer service and extended the warranty to 5 yrs/60,000 miles.

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  Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Kbarn - September 13 - 10:00 am

  This van has plenty of power up hills and in town on freeways I drive alot of miles a year and I am on LA freeways on a daily basis and climb the hills it is wonderful.

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  ZOOOOOOMZOOOOOOM!!!! - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Lysa - September 2 - 1:26 am

  I love my new Quest! Safety features galore, VERY comfortable ride. Make sure you get the floor mats, Edmonds review says that it is a "typically equipped option" also, Im ordering the seat protectors and fog lights. Got used to the POD style immediately, still not sure that I like the hood area on a side view it reminds me of a morphed VW on steroids! One thing for sure, the styling is unmatched!

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  Awesome! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Issan convert - August 18 - 2:00 am

  This is a dream vehicle. It is so loaded with features that all other vehicles I test drove pale in comparrison. It has absolutely everything and is worth twice as much!

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  happy owner - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By angela3p - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I love the style and look

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  THIS IS GREAT - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By brandon1234 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Nissan really did it for me. Me and my family drove every mini van under the sun, some of them twice and we kept going back to the Quest. Now a few months later we couldnt be happier with are decision.

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  2011 Quest is awesome - 2011 Nissan Quest
  By paul_hansen - August 11 - 6:37 am

  We did a lot of research. Besides the Nissan Quest, we drove the Honda Odyssey (ok), Toyota Sienna (yuck), Buick Enclave (nice, but $), and Mazda 5 (great, affordable microvan). Hands down, the Nissan Quest was our choice. Definitely feels like driving a luxury car. Pro reviewers should rate it higher. Seven seats are plenty, and I dont care that they dont "stow and go," because both back rows fold flat for plenty of cargo space. If thats really not enough, rent a U-haul. Also, since the third row doesnt fold into the floor, youre left with cavernous storage that doesnt have to be emptied to fold the seats.

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  Glad I bought it - 2009 Nissan Quest
  By Michael - July 27 - 2:03 am

  I was also considering Honda, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia. Hyundai cars are great but vans have all sorts of electrical/mechanical issues; Kia is a Hyundai with stripped down interior so they were out. Honda & Toyota bored me to tears, also much more expensive. I resisted buying a minivan for years but am enjoying the Quest. Looks and feels great. Build quality is even better than I expected. Handling is crisp, steering sharp, powertrain is strong and smooth. I traded from a small car so the mileage is not as good but still around 19 in town (with a light foot) and actually over 24 on the highway! Very pleased.

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  Has been a good van for us - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Todd F` - July 19 - 8:10 pm

  We have owned our Quest for four years and it has not required a return trip to the dealer for anything other than a recall on an airbag. Drive 75 mph on long trips we average 25 mpg. The engine is fantastic and the thing is huge inside. If you need a larger vehicle that still gets decent mileage, this is one to consider.

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  Quest for the best - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By coleman_lot - July 12 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is very fun to drive and an eye catching machine. Finally the minivan doesnt feel like a minivan. It truly feel luxury, futuristic, fun to drive and tons of gadgets.