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:
Showing 521 through 530 of 969.00-
should be called TITAN - 2004 Nissan Quest
By grnii627 - June 26 - 9:50 pmFormerly owned three large suv ( ford/lincoln)... none had the superior cargo space, moviing space or body room. Nissan is a pioneer in the minivan family owned industry, amazing design and options all parent and child friendly. Will purchase again, no question.
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Its A Nissan...How could you not ?! - 2008 Nissan Quest
By Colette - June 21 - 2:56 pmThis is our 3rd Nissan Quest, previously had a 1994, 2004 and now the 2008. I love this van I am 59, my husband is 63, my sons are 66 and 68, and I have two young daughters as well. Would you believe there is room left over. We are going camping next month and we will definitely have a better time with all the space. The look and feel of the car is beautiful, the sound system is awesome!
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Throw reliability out the window - 2007 Nissan Quest
By engine stalls - June 11 - 8:33 pmEngine stalls and will leave you stranded, vents dont close so you always smell the outside or get hot/cold feet, sliding door does not close properly because it keeps reversing, many rattles and squeaks, vents in the ceiling keep falling, dealers dont know how to fix things so you keep going back to fix the same thing. Dealer does not do an oil change when thats what I asked them to do because oil is still dirty and they said thats the color of their oil but when I took it back a week later for an oil change, its a clean and clear color. Tires are a weird size and are very expensive because only Goodyear sells them.
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THE BEST - 2004 Nissan Quest
By LISSETTE VARGAS - June 7 - 10:00 amI LOVE MY NEW 2004 NISSAN QUEST
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Little bit disppointed - 2004 Nissan Quest
By No more Volkswagen - June 7 - 10:00 amI get the new Quest because of its radical styling. I like Oddessey, but it is outdated. The new Sienna has very conservative stying. For the power, I feel it has less power than it supposes to have. Maybe the van weighs heavy. It is pretty slow to pick up speed for the first 2 gears. Also, it is kind of noisy for Japanese engines. The new Quest is one of the best van out there, but it is absolutely not the leader.
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Neat Van - 2004 Nissan Quest
By nubbinator - May 26 - 2:00 amThis is a neat looking van. Lots of the "new extras" that families need. Only major complaint is that the fan for heating and AC is LOUD. Drives smooth, acceleration and power are sufficient. Center console takes some getting used to but I prefer it now over a traditional console.
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powerful engine and smooth and quick shifting - 2016 Nissan Quest
By Ivonne Vazquez - May 24 - 3:13 amI am very happy with my purchase! I am not a minivan person but I cant find a good excuse to get a different vehicle, very good acceleration, good gas mileage for its size and practicality. Sometimes I forget that I am driving a minivan and drive like in a sporty vehicle because it handles very well.
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Nice, but always room for improvement - 2004 Nissan Quest
By sfelten - May 15 - 10:00 amWe bought our van one year ago and have 26000 miles on it. Overall it is fun to drive, very comfortable and really fits our lifestyle (2 kids, dog, active). Not so happy with the dealer, and when we bought the car (S model) they said we would be able to add a roof rack system later, as an accessory but this is in fact not true. We travel a lot and would never have bought the van if we knew it would never be available. Occasionally there seems to be wierd things going on with the transmission, the sliding doors rattle, the interior plastic trim is CHEAP and the air conditioner whistles on fan speed #2 (drives us crazy!) I also feel the paint is cheap.
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Greatly dissapointed - 2004 Nissan Quest
By In look of lemon att - May 15 - 10:00 amI bougth Quest mostly because my wife fall in love with is from the first sigth. Now shes crying calling me that air conditioner is not working AGAIN - and thats in Arizona in August ! I lost count how many times I vizited Pinnacle Nissan dilership (which is even greater dissapointment then car itself). Rattling doors, squeeling front suspention,falling down interior lights, intermittent problem s with AC, 8 recalls... I have had it enough - Im looking for lemon lawer.
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Nissan Quest by DBW - 2004 Nissan Quest
By David Whiteman - April 30 - 9:20 amGreat van. Dont understand some criticisms on brakes, 33,000 miles and they just now need changing. The Goodyear LSs, JUNK, 33,000 miles and have to be replaced at over $105.00/tire. Nissan design engineers, fire the suspension guys, picked odd size tire 225/65/16 only manufacturer - Goodyear LSs, had to go to a 235/60/16 for more choices. Wont buy the LSs again. Bad design/marketing by Nissan, dont design with single manufacurer odd size tires. Ride, comfort, mileage all aces. Had two Windstars, they were primitive compared to this Quest. Love Nissans backing door problems on early models. Nissan needs to pay attention to dealer service network. Real turn off with lousy dealer service.
