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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  Overall a good van - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Albert C - March 28 - 10:00 am

  SO far I have put 4k mile on it. It runs great. Powerful engine and confortable ride. Some drawbacks are rattling sliding doors and weird shifting tranny. I took the car back to the dealer and they did not fix anything but make the rattle noise louder. anyway, I spent a day and fixed the rattle noise on both sliding door myself; no more noise. Now I still have the tranny problem sometimes. Over all, I would give this car 8 to 9 rating.

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  excellent drive and inovative design. - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By Jagdeep - March 16 - 2:16 am

  Stand out in terms of great design, stylish interior, 10 spkr boss system, aerodynamic 5 moon roofs. fun to drive

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  Not your average mini-van - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By blundoboys - March 14 - 6:23 pm

  With a large family of 4 children, we are forced to drive a mini-van. Ive owned 2 prior mini-vans in the past & always "felt" like I was driving a mini-van. With the Quest, not only does it not look like your average mini-van, but you feel like youre driving a luxurious car, not some soccer mom vehicle (even though thats what it is). The interior is amazing, my husband & I actually argue on whos going to drive it where as before I could have cared less. I love this van & would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone in the market for a new mini-van w/ a large family.

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  Improvements needed - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By pmich - March 8 - 6:10 pm

  We test drove many minivans on the market before buying our Quest. The space was one of the main reasons we chose it. We love our Quest on trips with our 3 kids. The performance of the car is top notch. auto sliding doors are a problem in the winter. Ours wouldnt shut because it froze. Dealers are not properly trained in how to service vehicle. I am one of the fortunate ones whos door stopped rattling after recall. The DVD/sound system is great. Love the info center. It didnt take long to get used to. Plan on keeping this vehicle for a while assuming the issues that Ive read about dont occur on this one.

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  My Quest Nightmare! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Sassi - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Very dissappointed! I think its been in the shop as much as its been driven! Entire harness had to be replaced, took 3 months for them to even get one! and that was after I filed a complaint with the BBB. Wouldnt go in park 2 days after I bought it, gear shift came off in service managers hand! Shoved and bruised by sliding door! Im thinking, I should not be hating a van I paid so much money for! Always trusted Nissan until now, they need to replace this van, so I can get the true feeling of it and my moneys worth!

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  some problems - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Grannyat62 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Have had some problems with the car. Have had it to not change gears twice. Had to turn off engine and restart. Will not start when it is below freezing outside. Rattle in the side sliding doors. When taking it to dealship we get the same ol "Cant fix if it is not broke" Once it starts all the problems go away.

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  I Love my 2004 Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Donna Harper - February 19 - 10:00 am

  I love almost everything about this vehicle. It is so different from other mini-vans. It is stylish,sleek, elegant,and modern, not your typical ugh van. It is beautiful and fun. The interior is roomy and well....only one word to describe it..COOL! It is fun to drive, handles extremely well, and has many great safety features. The only thing I would change about this van is give it more cargo room by splitting the back seat. I might also add a split bench seat in the center row. I know it has wonderful safety features, but I would be more comfortable with my grandson in the center of the center seats rather than against the door or in the very back.

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  Baby Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By L.M. - February 19 - 10:00 am

  It could be better on gas mileage and pickup as far as speed.

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  My First Nissan Disappoints - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By NeverNissan - February 14 - 10:00 am

  This VAN is a lot of fun to drive. It handles very well at curves. However the moment we left the dealership we heard the doors rattling and squeaking even on smooth roads. I Have taken it back to the dealership 4 times but no result. Infact the dealership gave me a bottle of rubber spray and told me to use it every few days and see if it helps. I should have never bought this VAN if I had to do such things. Infact I wantede to tradeid in my corolla and buy maxima as second vehicle. Now I am looking at acura,lexus etc . NO NISSAN EVER.

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  Slam dunk family vehicle - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By forgetfl - February 12 - 4:33 am

  We just bought our Quest SE model after months of looking at the other minivans, including the new chrysler and looking at the GM crossover vehicles Acadia and Outlook. You just cant beat the interior volume in the Quest and the beautifully finished interior. The Mazda CX9 interior may be the best in the crossover market, but in our opinion the Quest is a close second. The Sienna interior is a bit long in the tooth and the Odyssey is nice, but doesnt have the skylights or the factory trailering option which is key for us because of our hitch mounted bike trailer and cargo carrier. The other minivan hitches significantly reduce ground clearance.