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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  Best Mini-Van by Far - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By dlsturdevant - June 30 - 3:13 pm

  We liked everything about this rig better than the competitors. We havent been disapointed one bit. My wife loves the admiring looks we get from other mini-van owners and the incredible responsiveness of the engine. This thing drives like a sports car.

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  nissan did it again - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By anbasein - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I wouldnt have bought another minivan if given another opportunity.Style is very unique,unlike the other boring looking minivan.The ride is very fun and comfortable. Im very proud to own one.

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  3,000 miles and still going strong! - 2011 Nissan Quest
  By bigal1020 - June 21 - 5:51 am

  After having owned a new 2011 Nissan Quest SL for 2 months now I wanted to share some of my honest feedback. 1st we are still glad with our choice to purchase this van over the rivals of Toyota and Honda. The quality is amazing and the interior is very luxurious. My refrigerator recently went out and I was able to haul a brand new Maytag side by side refrigerator in the back of this van. If you need more space than that go buy a Uhaul. Not to mention I still had space in the back floor compartment. Also in every review you will read that the cubic feet is less in the Nissan with all seats folded. True but remember they are not counting the 30 cu ft you have in the back storage well.

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  Love IT - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By MistyRM - June 20 - 2:00 am

  This car is what I have wanted since I saw it. We purchased it in October and I am always excited to be in it. The family is comfortable and the kids cant live without the DVD player!

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  Nissan: 2004 Quest Great / ? Tow Package - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By thumper300zx - June 20 - 2:00 am

  We love our 2004 Quest. Great Power, Comfort, Size. We compared the 3 Japanese models and chose the Quest for price/options, enthusiast appeal, and originality. We had the door rattle thing, but our local dealer did something right to take care of it. Other than that, our only problem has been with the "tow package" and an alignment issue weve had since purchase.

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  Nissans Lemon - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By ericka - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Beware, I have has many bad experiences with my brand new Nissan Quest. Nissan keeps giving me the run around. My car has been in for repair 4 times since I purchased it. While at the Nissan repait shop, I encountered another unhappy new car pruchaser from Nissan. He had also had his brand new Maxima in the repair shop 4 times and Nissan does not have a clue as to what the problem is. I myself have has a radio replaced, which still is not working and also a fuel pump. This is a brand new vehicle!!!

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  Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By KerrySmith - June 15 - 10:00 am

  My wife insisted on the Quest, her twin sister has one

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  Been a great one for me - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By kad - June 13 - 10:00 am

  This mini van has been excellant for us. Bought brand spanking new in 2000 and have about 55K on it now. It is fully loaded and everything still works. Have only done regular maintenance. Gas mileage might could be better. I have had a blast driving it. Ultimate "MOM" mobile. Removable middle seat captain chairs with a rear seat that can be moved right up in front to haul lots of stuff.

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  What a Lemmon!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Racer2004 - June 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought this early this year. Started noticing the problems right away. Leaky sunroof, creaking sliding doors, cheap plastic inside and lots of rattle. Minivan is new so dealer does not know how to fix properly. Often it takes months to get parts. Already made multiple trips to dealer. Not sure when what will break.

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  04 Quest has known problems - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Bryon Brelsford - May 27 - 1:13 pm

  One week after we bought the car the drivers window was making a noise. We had numerous rattles which were fixed then made noise again. The brake pedal made a squeaking noise. Clamps broke under the car that held the exhaust pipe in place, causing more noise while driving. The rear windows dont go down. You have to really slam the hatch sometimes to get it to close properly. Our radio was replaced after 6 months when it wouldnt turn on in cold weather. With the heat and air conditioning on their highest setting the air dribbles out. Finally, I called Nissan Corp. and they were willing to do nothing for all the times I had to bring the car in to be fixed. I got rid of it!