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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  A Decent Van Built By Ford - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By 2Nissans - May 2 - 12:40 am

  This is a decent vehicle with so-so amenities, but has a reliable engine. If you can find one with low mileage with a low price, here are a few things to look for that I have found at over 200,000 to date: have windows up and listen for engine when at idle and then at driving. Engine mounts tend to break easily. Check transmission oil pan for leaks. Check CV boots for tears, and listen for any clicking noises when you turn wheels while driving at parking lot speeds. Make sure A/C and fan(s) blow properly with no strange noises.

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  Good so far, hope to stay that way. - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Cappy - May 1 - 11:13 pm

  This van is in great shape! Driving on the highway you dont even realize you are going 80 mph sometimes. My wife agrees that it is a smooth ride. Have 3 kids one on the way and needed the room from the 07 toyota car that we had. So far the kids love the DVD, the skyview roofs above them and the fact that we can get the infant car seat in and get the kids on easily is awesome. Id rather spend the money on a Sports car as it is a buyers market, but as a mini-van dad, this has been a purchase I dont mind running to the ground.

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  Nice 05 quest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By DallasTexan1 - May 1 - 8:10 am

  I got this SE Quest for 2 months now for a price well below Edmunds TMV price. I bought it at Trophy Nissan in Mesquite Texas for 32200 +TTL. So far, this vehicle performs nicely. Power is definitely better than Toyota Sienna, but is about the same par with Honda Odysee. The exterior and interior are truly stand out. Mine has a sunroof and 4 fixed glass roof for the 2nd and 3rd row seats. There are 2 video screens, lots of reading lights, cup holders, overhead storage. Back seats are very comfortable that you feel like sitting in a 1st class row in airplane. Interior space is huge, you will be able to walk up and down the rows without walking outside.

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  Excellent Car - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By ghazal - April 18 - 3:46 am

  I had this car for 8 years and very happy with it.

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  What happened? - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By Alex - April 14 - 1:13 am

  My original Quest was a 98 whose only defect was the heater going in 2 yrs. My 2000 gave me major problems and is about to die. I dont understand. I know people with 98s and 96s who havent had anywhere near the problems Ive had. Even with mechanical breakdown I feel I traded in a great minivan for a knock-off of the original. The front end makes noise always like its falling apart and now it is stalling like a 90 year old at the olympics. My friend has a 98 with 30k more miles on it than mine (147k) and he has no major trouble and puts a lot of miles everyday on it. Cant wait to say goodbye to it.

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  WARNING - DO NOT BUY THIS VAN!!!! - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By denise - April 13 - 8:53 pm

  I bought this van relying on the Nissan Brand and quality. My car has hit 68000 miles and it is only 4 years old. I need a complete new transmission - it has been diagnosed by a transmission shop, an auto mechanic and Nissan. I called Nissans consumer affairs to get some understanding of why the transmission went out so early. I was given the run around but basically "sorry, we cannot assist you with your problem but thank you for being a Nissan consumer" On a four year car, I have replaced all four tires, brakes, driving belt and now I need a new transmission, one of my mountings is broken and the other needs replaced. Todays bill cost $3900. I am shocked. I should have kept my Dodge.

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  Love this van!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Erin - April 6 - 5:43 am

  I have previously owned a Dodge Caravan and a Toyota Sienna but love this van with its many features, comfortable ride, new body style and great acceleration. It drives more like a car than a van. I am very happy with my purchase.

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  First Eveluations - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By hmhill - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Have been completly supriaed by the firm easy drive as compared to test drive of other vans and comparison to my other two cars--Chrysler Concord 97 and Ford Aerostar XLT Extended 92. Rides like a heavy/bigger car. Handled the Ozark Moutains extremely well for a 6 cylinder. Very little pull down on steap hills. Plenty of usuable space for pasangers and luggage. Initial impression love this van.

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  Great Minivan! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Mike in Atlanta - March 22 - 10:00 am

  We just picked up our loaded 2004 Quest SE this weekend. So far no problems at all. My wife will need to get used to the center instruments, but its not that big of a deal once you drive it for a day or so. We traded in a Suburban for this van - we have 5 kids so we need lots of room! I love the folding seats - for us it was either this van or the Chrysler T&C. The Quests center shoulder belt in the 3rd row and its huge cool factor closed the deal!

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  Fun to drive minivan - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Oregon Nissan - March 19 - 2:16 pm

  This van is drives like a car. We used to have a Honda Odyssey, and the Quest definitely drives like a car. We have used in around town and for long cross country trips, and the van performed well under both scenarios. Interior space is good for the driver and in the second row. Whenever I have been seated in the front passenger seat it doesnt feel comfortable. The 3rd seat row is very cramped and the bench seat back is too short. Definitely not a place for adults.