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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  blackmini - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By mymini - December 5 - 6:53 pm

  This has been a very reliable vehicle for my family. Ive had very few problems with it. Most problems has been in the door locks or hardware.

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  Mini Van,NO WAY! Quest changed my mind - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Tag - December 1 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I wrestled with & agonized over the idea of buying a mini van for our growing family. Then we saw the new Quest. There is no mistaking this for anything other than a mini van, however,this is a nice looking and unique mini van. The performance is spirited and fun. The ride is quiet and comfortable. The centered speedometer and display took a little bit of getting used to, but now I really like it. The room and versitility of the interior is great. If you want the versitility of a mini van, but dont the stigma typically attatched to owning one, the new Quest lessens the blow and is fun to drive.

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  Awesome Minivan :) - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By AngelR - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I love just about everything about this van. At first, I had planned to get a Toyota Sienna - until Fowler Toyota in Norman told me it wasnt in their interest to do business with me (I had negotiated to get $2000 of MSRP). When I found out they ordered the wrong color, I changed to the Nissan - and was wonderfully happy I did! Hudiburg Nissan treated me well :) The kids love the dual DVD screens, and everything about the van is a gadet- girls dream :)

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  So far pretty good but some disappointme - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Momof3sons - November 20 - 6:00 am

  We shopped around for a while before deciding on the Quest. Overall, the price, appearance, and interior room sold us. Really impressed how roomy it feels inside with all five of us in there -- but we were disappointed with some of the interior parts that either fell out or broke within a day of getting it. AC vent on celing fell right out onto my sons head without even touching it, and a button under the steering wheel jammed in and cant be retracted. Hate to have to go to the dealer for that. I think they could have given a little better quality to the inside and a split bench in the back would have been great. Otherwise, for the money, good deal.

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  04 QUEST - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By marco350z - November 19 - 2:00 am

  The Quest 3.5s is a great minivan. I test drove the Odyssey, the new Sienna, the Grand Caravan/Town & Country, the MPV, and Sedona. The 2 that stood out were the Quest and Sienna. They both had everything but the Quests exterior/interior and flat fold 2nd/3rd row seats(Sienna only had flat fold 3rd row)won me over. Its hip, sleek, sporty and still roomy. The interior looks futuristic and is so roomy and comfortable. The Sienna was 1k less than the Quest but the Quest was worth the extra 1k. Driving the Quest feels like driving an Accord or Altima.

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  Best Van in the WORLD - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Linda - November 16 - 2:10 pm

  I have only had it a couple of months, but so far it has been terrific. We took a trip in it to Disney World and everyone had plenty of room for stretching out and we got a lot of thumbs up from passersby at the sleek design. I get asked a lot about it at gas stations. I am really enjoying this beautiful van.

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  Love my van! - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By hot minivan momma - November 15 - 1:13 am

  My van is the GLE...all the bells and whistles, plus the sunroof. I love that this van drives like a car. We drove some other vans and all drove like trucks. Handling is great. We do reg. maintenance and have had very few problems. Now at 120k mi. We just had a new radiator put in; must also replace cv boots soon and the struts. This is normal at this mileage. Wonderful car with family. Kids love the t.v. I can leave back seat pushed up against middle row most of the time and then push it right back when I have extra passengers. Car has lots of vroom vroom.

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  Very Satisfied - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By lynnw - November 3 - 10:00 am

  So far I have had no problems with my Quest. It has a comfortable smooth and responsive ride. The interior is very roomy. This van has very good power and does not make you feel as though it is dragging along. I find it very fun to drive.

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  Really love it - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By meyer - November 3 - 10:00 am

  We have been test driving all the minivan models (Sienna, Odyssey, Grand Caravan, Venture, FreeStar) since February. We compared them all to the Quest which we fell in love with on our first drive. We finally made the plunge and purchased a Quest based on the months of research and test driving in all conditions. The selling points were style (eventhough we appreciated the "classic" looks of the Sienna), price (eventhought the Grand Caravan was offered for under $30k fully equipped), and handling (great acceleration and handling in city and highway). We did have 2 problems with the test drive today - the AC shot up to 90 and wouldnt go back down and the driver seat back fell off.

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  Quest is a Hot Mess - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By sesaalegria - October 29 - 1:47 pm

  I bought my Quest SL new in 2005 with the extended warranty; I planned on driving it for many years. Well, Im looking to trade it in way ahead of schedule. By the time it had 73K miles, the 4th alternator had to be put in! The first 3 were under regular warranty, the 4th under the extended. Currently it is in the shop having the computer replaced, to the tune of $2K out of my pocket. Oh, and the brakes? I cant count how many times theyve been replaced. Sure, it is roomy, comfy on long road trips, the DVD player is a lifesaver with the kids, the drive is smooth, it was stylish in 2005, and the purchase price was good-all reasons I got it. In the long run-well-RUN! Not worth the test drive.