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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  Beware of just Design - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By nissancustomer - November 12 - 8:56 am

  I have been a Nissan vehicle only for the past decade. My decision was enormously influenced by the sleek Quest designs. I have just driven 800 miles since I bought it a couple of months back and the passenger side door doesnt open or close properly. This Van is pretty hard on the gas and the transmission slips at times. Plus Nissan of North America corporate folks are pretty "customer unfriendly" if approach them for any post car buying issues.

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  Nice at the begining, then deception! - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By James - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Nice vehicle when I bought it: Nice design, comfort, fun to drive, and thinking about the Japanese quality I was expecting a really nice quality vehicle. But one month after the purchase the battery died, was replaced under the warranty but still a hassle. Then at 15,000 miles the reas sonar alarm sound died and I have to replace the speaker by myself. otherwise you ended paying around $300 to the dealer. Then at 28,000 miles the rear door mechanism broke, a poor soldering nut to the frame of the door. Then at 30,787 miles (just few days ago) the speedometer is showing a higher speed, the gauge does not come back to zero, so you ended with 10 miles more your current speed, want more.

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  The pros way outweigh the cons - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Schnurr - October 15 - 6:50 am

  We love this van! It looks great - it has great mid range acceleration. There is not an onramp made that it doesnt love!!! Awesome highway performance and great fuel economy - 28 mpg on a fast long distance road trip.

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  Relentless Rattles - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Jason Devine - October 5 - 10:06 pm

  With a 1 year old, this was our first minivan. We were replacing a Mercedes C320 so my wife wanted all the luxury ammeneties. We narrowed our search to the Quest, Odyssey and Sienna. The quest had the latest features without the price premium on the Sienna. Weve had the car for nearly a year and love the drive, room, DVD and fold flat seats. However, build quality of the body is poor. Doors dont fit tight. There are constant rattles (back gate and side doors) and several trips to the dealer have not resolved them. Nissan extended the warranty to 5 years, nice gesture, but wed prefer doors that dont rattle.

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  Lovely, but too small for family! - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By Nove - September 14 - 1:06 am

  This vehicle is smooth to drive, has decent pickup speed, handles well, and has every bell and whistle you can imagine - the sunroof is a nice touch! But the interior is very small, with very little leg and head room. The cargo area is equally lacking - and for a family of five, its a tight fit for a long drive. Overall, an excellent choice for a small family or adults who just want a few extra seats available - but not for larger families who do a lot of traveling.

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  Mixed Feelings - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Dan - September 11 - 11:40 am

  First the bad news after 500 mile road trip. Front seats dont provide the comfort/quality support that second row seats do. Longer seat bottoms like the second row would be the fix for tall guys. The seat covering on front of the driver and passenger seats bottoms will not stay attached to the seat pan. I noticed this in the first 30 miles. Its on my list to fix. The hood, headlights and grille dont line up correctly. Gaps are off on lift gate. Low speeds 18-22 MPH on gravel roads leaves the trans hunting for right gear. Not enough storage areas. Steering wheel is too far from driver when seat is back. Tires vibrate even after dealer balanced them before I took delivery.

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  wish it worked as good as it looks - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Kristi Gavagan - August 4 - 10:00 am

  I have had fun driving it and I said I would NEVER own one. People come up to me in parking lots and ask about it all the time. I do have a prob with having to take a brand new vehicle in for repairs. Like someone prev wrote, I had trouble starting it and one day it just wouldnt start with two unhappy kids. I have it in the shop now because it got stuck in third gear over the 4th of July and I have to take it back next week for a bunch of parts that are being recalled. They arent making my life any easier by offering loaner cars and they dont even vaccuum your vehicle for you after you have it serviced. Even Ford does better.

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  great for us - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By dbarbour - July 13 - 9:10 am

  This van has been great. Millage is good (21 city - 28 hwy), We now have 210,000 and have had very few repairs considering its age. Mostly routine repairs. I love driving this van, it is very comfortable, handles well and acceleration is great! I live in a northern state and it handles winter driving well even with only FWD and all season tires. However, I hate backing it up as visiblity is lousy.

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  Nothing but trouble - dont buy it - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By GreginNJ - July 11 - 4:13 pm

  We bought a demo model of the Quest which was fully loaded (DVD, navigation, wireless headphones, leather, power everything, etc..) Its back in the shop for the FOURTH time as the rear lift gate arm keep breaking off. Now Nissan has to replace the entire rear lift gate and arm (the bolt the lift arm connects to is integrated into the entire door and is stripped). The dealer tried repairing it 3 times previously, replaced the lift arm twice, and every time it breaks of within a matter of weeks. The quality of the components is very, very bad. We had the cover on a power outlet break off, same with a handle on the middle seat. Now were scared because it just went beyond 36,000mi.

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  One Year In - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By Tony - July 7 - 6:43 am

  Lots of space. Got a good deal on it, so it was a great value. Drives very much like a big car. Good power and pretty decent gas mileage (18 city - 24 to 25 highway). Agree with others that the body structure is a little loose.