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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  Love my Quest - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By 1sttimequestbuyer - October 29 - 3:10 am

  We looked at all minivans before looking at the quest, it was our final stop. I test drove it and loved it! It does drive like a car and is very comfortable. I love the room inside. The seats are very comfortable. I am getting the average minivan gas mileage so i cant complain about that. I would recommend this van to anyone, and for what you get for the price compared to odyssey and sienna its a great deal. I also love that all the seats can fold flat without having to be taken out of the vehicle.

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  Overall Satisfied - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By postalmaster - October 20 - 10:00 am

  This is the best looking import mini van.

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  Good Choice - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By bbking - October 20 - 10:00 am

  This is the first miinivan we have owned. As young parents we vowed to never drive a minivan! It was easy until we went to buy a new Altima and drove the Quest for the heck of it...When we got back to the dealership, we looked at eachother and hated to admit it but we were both sold on the Quest. To this day, we have been impressed with its performance. It is zippy, stylish and gets lots of attention. We have tons of room and our two girls love it! We will never own another SUV or car again.

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  Great Van - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Ifletchr - October 19 - 12:56 am

  We bought this van after looking at the Honda, Entourage and Town & Country. The Entourage and T&C left a bit to be desired and the Honda packaging options meant we were spending a lot of money for some options we wanted and a lot for some we didnt. The main option we wouldve liked but wasnt available was AWD. The interior was by far the nicest of all the vans and although there wasnt as much storage as the Honda (lazy susan in floor), the fact that no seats had to be removed to have cargo space really helped.

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  Almost a Lemon - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Dave D - October 18 - 9:00 am

  We have owned the Quest for a year and a half and in that time have had it back to the dealership for repairs/warranties/recalls/service about 15 times. Within the first month of owning the Quest, I noticed rattling noises, wind coming from the rear doors, and other "small things" that seemed much worse becasue they only added to the overall total of complaints I began to have. Couple this with the passenger side mirror needing to be replaced, rear defogger unit replaced, doors adjusted, sensors tweeked, and the kicker, the alternator and battery dying in the middle of January in Minnesota away from home, and you can see why I must say this is the absolute worst vehicle I have ever owned.

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  Nissan Quest SE - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By RazorthunderX - October 13 - 10:00 am

  First off, MSRP is high but if you shop around and find a good deal I highly recommend this vehicle. I paid $1000 over invoice in OCT 03. I am extremely happy with this vehcile because of all the thought and features built into this vehicle. I highly recommend the SE edition over the S and SL edition becuase of the increased 17 inch tires, BOSE sterio, and sky-view interior. I am not pleased with the anti-pinch technology built into the sliding doors or the second DVD screen. However in order to get the GPS, you have to get the dual DVD. Over all pleased.

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  Constant Front End Problems - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By NBS - October 12 - 8:23 am

  The front end always sounds like its falling apart. Constant noise and replacement of tires and brakes (almost annually), CV Joints, Struts, etc.. Several thousand dollars in front end work at dealership only to always have the same problems. The noise is a horrible creak that sounds like the front end is falling off. People stare at us if we pull up in a drive thru! TV/VCR broke first year and dealer refused to replace/fix it even though its a factory TV/VCR. If you buy one of these you better have alot of money for tires and brakes. After researching, found out thats due to the thing being built on a car chassis instead of a truck chassis. Cant wait to get rid of it.

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  Timing Chains are Bad! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Bittersweet - October 11 - 10:00 am

  We have been proud owners of Nissans for more than 13yrs. Our 04 Quest has been great over all! I have had problems with the automatic doors not closing and/or sticking. Windows have the same problem. Console is scratched and looks crappy because material does not clean well. Under carriage is to low, going over speed hump I lost plastic bolts holding plastic bottom in place. Now my mechanic is telling me that I need a new timing chain, the dealership will charge $3200 he will fix for $1800. He says it really should be a recall but because of the cost Nissan will not recall! Timing chains are suppose to last longer and be more reliable. Research the web many people having same problem!

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  Disappointing Quest - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Laura - October 5 - 5:10 am

  While our van is still fine, I dont see it holding up well over the test of time. I researched many makes and models before settling on the Quest. This was my first van purchase - going from a convertible sports car to a minivan, I found the Quest to be the most stylish looking on the market. Our tire sensors are always lit on the dashboard - very annoying. When we got 500 miles on the van, we had to have a fuel pressure tank (or something like that replaced.) It sat on the dealership lot for 30 days before it was fixed. Overall, I wish Id spent a little more money on a higher end van. Nothing has broken so far but I fear its just a matter of time. Very cheaply made inside.

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  Why drive anything else? - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Kit Kat - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I was a little nervous about a driving a vehicle bigger than a car but it is very easy to handle. It didnt take much time to get use to.