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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  Fantastic Purchase - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By CmdrScotie - September 30 - 8:20 pm

  Bought new in 06, and used it for errands and cross country trips. Plenty of room for the whole family (4 of us) with luggage. Ive taken care of this van the way a vehicle is supposed to be taken care of, and have had no problems.

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  Never again - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By RHICKEY - September 30 - 11:16 am

  Worst new vehicle I have ever driven. Rattles, squeaks, interior and exterior electricals going on the fritz. Paid $1000 to get into a four year lease on this van, happily paid about $3000 to get out 14 months later. Never got the luggage rack we were promised by the dealer. Took the van in for warranty repairs several times, rattling doors & "flat tire" sensors were never fixed. Actual gas milage was about 14 mpg (we got 18 from our full size Chevy extended cab 350 V8 pickup driving under identical conditions). We were offered a 12K mile extension of the warranty due to the number of times we took it in for service. Said no thanks, sent it back & got a Honda (we love it!).

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  Great new van- love it so far!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Jecky22 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  First off, I was NEVER EVER going to own a van over my dead body! Well... along came my son. With that said, we love our new van. We seriously considered the Sienna, but chose the Quest as it fit our age, style and function better. The "Maxima" and award winning V6 is great EXCEPT on the gas mileage. We have ranged from upper teens to lower 20s so far. The only problems we have had are: 1) small chips showing up in the front end paint (and we dont drive on gravel); and 2) filler piece for non-roof rack groove came loose on interstate (being replaced next week). Otherwise we love the van so far.

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  I love this minivan! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By amystoops - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I just got my minivan last month! It was a hard decision as I was torn between this one and the Honda. In the end I have been happy with my Nissan I previously owned so I went with the Quest. I would recommend this van to others!

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  2004 Nissan Quest Rocks! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By jeremiahgreen - September 1 - 10:00 am

  This van is the best van available. One drive and you will agree. Nissan as usual outperforms, and outclasses all others.

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  Problem with Rear Main Seal/leaking oil - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By janeen - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Nissan Quest 2004 for one month. On its one month anniversary, we noticed oil in the driveway. It was leaking oil...minimal but still for a $27,000 car you expect more than that. Took it back to Quirk and they gave me a rental. If I knew it was going to take a week to fix, I would not have settled for the Kia Rio I was given. Picked up my Nissan tonight and hope that is the end of any problems.

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  This is the future minivan - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Jaren - September 1 - 10:00 am

  This is the future of minivans as we know it. The styling is new and cool. It gets rid of the stereotypical minivan.

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  love my quest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By dawn - August 28 - 2:36 am

  drives like a sedan and is gorgeous to boot makes having a big family easy to transport with style. easy to drive while being pregnant. Being a nissan ,i know as long as i take care of it, it will take care of me a great investment love all the safety features that my dealership included in the price

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  My 1995 Nissan - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By John Good - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Our van has surpased our Chevy Van 20 whith more than 100,000mi and it still runs like new its been all the way from C.A to Canada,even our cousin is imprest becaus there is no oil in the exaust,(The verey secret is you though because if you dont care for any car it will soon become a pile of junk).our Chevy Van 20 only has about 80,000mi and its already needing major overhaul.

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  Quest second time around - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By QuestComplete - August 19 - 2:00 am

  I checked out Sienna 2004, Odyssey and MPV and decided that this van provided most value for my money. Lots of safety features, gadgets and most interior space among all the minivans I tested.