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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  Was this Quest a good buy or good bye? - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Judys Quest - May 21 - 6:16 am

  Trade in 1999 Mercury Villager (Quest clone) with 120K miles. Except for tach, everything still worked. We thought that the Nissan Quest would be as reliable and useful but now we are wondering if the extra cost of a Honda or Toyota would have been a better choice. Maybe we should have bought used. On the way home, the button that slides the seatbelt adjuster up and down broke and fell into the door post. This was after 30 minutes of ownership. Three days later, my wife tells me that the A/C does not seem to blow as cold as it did when we got it.

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  I love it! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Carolyn Brewer - May 20 - 10:00 am

  I fell in love with this vehicle when I test drove it and couldnt wait to buy one. It is easy to get in and out of, drives like a dream, and I love the styling, inside and out.

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  We call our Quest "the money pit" - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By A Sienna Next Time - May 19 - 10:00 am

  The maintenance costs of a Quest are unbelievably high. It is the first car Ive owned which needs a brake pad & rotor replacement every year, and new tires every year and a half. (None of previous vehicles have chewed through these like the Quest!) The car rattles, and we had to take our to the dealership for engine noise multiple times before they *finally) believed us based on a new service bulletin that went out. Too bad - its a stylish minivan, and we had high hopes for it. Its functional for our family, but we just wish it was lower-maintenance.

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  Great Van - 2013 Nissan Quest
  By bobsii - May 13 - 5:55 pm

  We purchased this van after getting frustrated from getting our 2-year-old in and out of our SUV (close proximity of parked cars and our doors). Like a lot of people, we didnt want to be a "mini-van" family. That was dumb. The smart key and power sliding doors and lift gate make it so easy to get my child and child-related stuff in/out of this van. I personally like that the rear row folds flat instead of into the cargo compartment (those are power too, but the pull strap is also really easy to use). We made a 400 mile round trip drive (bought the van and left), and there is plenty of cargo space; we were throwing a birthday party, and all the party goods and luggage fit very nicely.

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  A huge disappointment! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By ladylawyer1968 - May 11 - 2:00 pm

  This van has had more problems than any vehicle we have ever owned. All the recalls, rear door motor had to be replaced, rattles in doors "fixed" numerous times, automatic sliding door reverses for no reason, both sliding doors have rubbed over rear wheel well causing paint to be scratched, fixed once, but doing it again, getting it fixed has been a nightmare. Most recently, automatic drivers seat was leaned back to reach something and now will not move forward, switch is dead, creating a major safety issue. Nissans answer? Drive the 80+ miles to the dealership with the seat back in an unsafe position. Horrible gas mileage. Nissan U.S. no help. Shame on you Nissan.

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  Nice - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Selma - May 9 - 2:00 am

  This minivan i abosulotuly great i had never driven a better and it also provides my childer with a bunch thingz like fold in seats and alot of entertainment(dvd,music,etc)and i never have to worry about getting lost because it also has a navigation system.If u ahve a family and want a nice vaction car or just a nice family car this is thet one u need not only is it bueatiful itz luxurious!!!

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  Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By hiwahiwa - May 9 - 2:00 am

  The best quest ever built thus far

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  Proud to own one - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Xavier Meriz - May 9 - 2:00 am

  As our small 3 part familly grew we opted to purchase into a minivan, and we have had great results with the Quest. My daughter enjoys the DVD system, that makes long drives and trafic a little more tolerable.

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  A nice surprise - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By rafman4 - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Very nice minivan. Drives with a performance feel. Nimble steering, good cornering. Good acceleration. Sporty ride. Interior design is superb in terms of comfort, legroom. Fold down seats are great. Center column with all controls took about two days of getting used to but now its very usable and I even prefer it. Does not look like other minivans. Thats a plus!!!!!!

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  Quest Again - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By re-Quest - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Best automobile I have ever had. This is my 2nd Quest minivan. When I went to buy a new car I didnt even consider anything but a Quest. It is quiet, easy to handle, comfortable, lots of space. Of course the gas mileage isnt that great but after all it is a minivan BUT I think the gas mileage is better than most minivans on the market.