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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Buy it youll like it!! - 2006 Nissan Quest
By Mark B - July 6 - 5:26 pmI absolutely love this van. I test drove the Toyota, and Honda top of the line vans and they all felt the same to me. But the customer service and truthfulness of the Nissan Employees tops my list. My 6 year old would rather take the minivan somewhere because its Cool. Its very comfortable on trips, and has a huge amount of storage space available.
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I love my new sport vehicle! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Quest happy - June 30 - 2:00 amI was very hesitant about purchasing a minivan. I went the whole "SUV run", but came to realize that was not what my family needed. I tried the other minivans first, and then my Quest. It is very functional and family friendly. My oldest son plays soccer, my daughter plays softball, and my youngest son plays just about everything..lol. Through it all my wife carries them all with greater ease than our old Altima, which we decided to keep as well. Not having to take the seats out was the best "sell" of all. Our Quest has made our familys life easy.
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love this vehicle - 2005 Nissan Quest
By andrew herkalo - June 28 - 11:06 amthis van suits me very much. good handling. plenty of power. lots of room. good styling. family loves it too.
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Nissen Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
By BJBabs - June 19 - 10:00 amThis is the first time that I have bought a Nissen, but now that i have one i will contuine to. The Quest is easy to drive, handles the corners much better than the Windstar that i had, the pick up is more like a suv than a minivan. I love the interior.
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Unbelievable Luxury - 2012 Nissan Quest
By wild8willy - June 15 - 6:10 pmWe got rid of a Honda Oddy EXL-RES that was the worst vehicle I have ever owned. 9mpg since new and constantly in the shop. Our Quest is like a Bentley. The materials are top notch, the comfort is unmatched and I just love this van. My wife loved it in 2011 and made me go see one and I thought she was out of her mind. Well it kind of grew on me, and then I drove it. You could actually have a conversation at normal voice levels with any row in the van it is so quiet. I could not talk to my wife in our Oddy with her sitting next to me it was so loud. The CVT is actually pretty good in the van. I have one in my 2012 Altima and it is awful and I hate it. We paid Under 30 Grand!!!
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Sexy Mama Van - 2008 Nissan Quest
By imariquinn - June 5 - 12:03 pmI have owned my 08 Nissan Quest for 5 months now and have put on 4800 miles. I have had it in the dealer one time and that was for the first oil change at 3000 miles. The van is beautiful to look at, I love the auto hatch door. It is very convenient to have it open and close with the touch of a button! Also, the dual sliding doors both work and I dont notice any rattling. The fold flat rear seats are quick and easy to manipulate and came in handy when I was moving some furniture. My gas mileage is great, not as good as my Odyssey with the VCS engine though. I am averaging 24MPG using 87 Regular gas. I have flat terrain and avoid highways. I recommend!
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Our PartyVan - 2011 Nissan Quest
By raq_sv - May 19 - 10:09 pmMinivans in the U.S. are mostly used to haul kids and run errands to the groceries and hardware stores. We use it to haul adults and friends to parties on weekends. All I have to say the Quest is an awesome van because its 100% made in Japan next to the Nissan Elgrand E52! No other Japanese vans in North America are JDM like the Quest. Like everyone said, the build quality is rock solid and very Infiniti like. I just slapped on a set of 20 rims with TEIN coilovers. It looks good and handles like a sport wagon. No more "trampolines" feeling on the highway and body rolls are reduced greatly. [non-permissible content removed]
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SE with Wood Dash - 2004 Nissan Quest
By OCONNOR - May 18 - 2:00 amKids love it, dvd/sound system is tops. Head turner. Skyview roof is fantastic!
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great van - 2004 Nissan Quest
By fireman57 - May 18 - 2:00 ami just got the van it is great i love it my whife loves it my son loves the dvd package it is fun to drive it has get up and go power it has ample cargo room and passenger room its an all around great fun to drive van
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Happy Owner - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Dan - April 11 - 11:40 amI originally intended to purchase the Toyota Sienna, but after checking out the Quest, I changed my mind. The style and price convinced me. There was a noise from the rear seat area when the car had six passengers, but my dealership fixed it with a new latching system. Mileage has been as advertised and the center console is great. Have had no quality complaints with the Nissans I have owned.
