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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  Run From This Vehicle - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By questbegone - October 29 - 4:40 pm

  Had all the quality problems others talk about here, but the killer for us was the right front tire going flat. There is a problem with the tire pressure sensors and it could not be fixed. After eight attempts to fix it they finally replaced the entire tire and wheel. This worked for a while so I didnt go to arbitration which I probably should have. When the flat tire sensor came on again, my wife refused to drive the car ever again. I had to unload it. It had 8K miles, I got $21,5K in trade, and I bought an Escalade for its reliability and build quality. Is that irony? I lost the value of my trade ($12K, 2001 Honda Accord). Obviously this vehicle is a piece of crap and Nissan knows it.

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  Trouble Free - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By Happy Owner - October 28 - 10:06 pm

  Never had any problems with this van. Had Ford, Chevy and Dodge vans and this is by far superior in low maintenance costs. I have only had to do brakes, tires, oil changes and 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000 maintenance. Great for family vacations and shopping trips. Several trips to the hardware store and it will hold up to ten foot long boards and lots of bags of concrete, bark and potting soil. Drives and handles great. I also have a Frontier and am very impressed with Nissan reliability and dependability. Even with over 100,000 miles still feel comfortable with taking it on trips.

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  Made cheap - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By haynie3 - October 27 - 11:18 pm

  We bought our van in 2008 thought it would be great to own a brand new vehicle. Well within 1 year the mirror visor broke off and the arm rest fell off and the rubber seals on side doors came off. Well today i was driving and there was a flapping noise, I looked back and it was the metal insert on top of the van,where you would have the racks at flapping on the side of van, i had to pull over and get before it hit someones vehicle. It just seems like the veichle is made cheaply, when only having a short time.

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  Great Car - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By jaba - October 25 - 9:10 am

  I bought this car 1 1/2 yrs ago & have no problems with it at all. About the front seats, the upper lumbar is angled too far back so you never really can press your back against it. I love the interior, very spacious inside although the ext design makes it appear more sleek. I recently took it for a 1000K mile trip w/ 3 adults and 3 children. It was very easy ride, comfortable and felt safe. Lots of power and gas mileage was very good on hwy. It sure stinks in the city though (15/24).

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  NEVER!!!..Ever, Ever, Ever buy!!! - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By Jeff - October 22 - 4:38 pm

  I concurr with everyone who has had problem with this Van: interior quality is Cheap- mirrors/visors easily break, AC zips sues, Driver & Passenger Windows stop working but the very rear vent Windows work..changed out motor, controller, fuses (inside & out) and still dont work; rear end went out, power steering pump went out, rattling, siding on interior seats started coming off. THIS VAN is HORRIBLE!!!! Do not buy, New or Used !!!!!!!

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  Great Van - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By dlb123 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I have driven this van about 2500 miles. Love the interior! It is comfortable and spacious for passengers. The luggage/grocery well in the back is great for trips to the store. Acceleration is fair to good, a bit too much shifting between gears as it speeds up for my taste, but trade off is decent gas milage. I have gotten around 27 mpg on the highway, 20 mpg for mixed driving. The car handles nicely, very comfortable to drive, handles snowy conditions well. Towing capacity is 3500 lbs, which is much better than the smaller SUVs we were considering. Would definately recommend this van!

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  Frequent and Lousy Repairs - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By sailor - October 15 - 4:43 am

  Where to begin? AC never worked. Dealer couldnt/wouldnt repair. When finally dumping it, I had three other dealers advise, oh the AC on that doesnt work.... Under the dash maintenance lousy. parts actually fell off. Finally took it to a tire shop who fixed front vibration (in shop 6 times for), Tire shop balanced one tire and fixed the problem. Maybe the problem is Nissan of Clovis (CA). But then Factory Rep failed to respond after three weeks.

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  What a disappointment - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By sstlaurent - October 12 - 2:10 am

  We bought this van new, and over the last three years, weve put more around $5000 into. The digital dashboard display hasnt been clear for years. The heater in the back of the van doesnt blow. Now the transmission is failing, and were looking for another car. Weve had it serviced regularly and taken care of it, so I dont know what the problem is. If I want to take it to the dealership, they charge $98 just to diagnose it. The transmission guy told me that lots of people have had the same problem, and attorneys are preparing to file a class action suit.

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  Excellent Vehicle!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By SPJ - October 11 - 9:20 am

  This is a great van, I dont quite understand all the negative reviews. Great design, comfort (we got the cloth seats as they felt better than the leather!), performance and room. We had a Toyota Sequoia but wanted to get back to a "car-feel" vehicle. The Quest has as much room as the Sequoia and neat design features such as the SkyView roof, "Podium" style center stack controls, heated seats, and great engine. Save money vs. the Sienna or Odyssey which are great vans but this Quest beats them by far in having a much cooler design. I am 61" and love the adjustable pedals (which I thought only Ford had). We are very pleased!!

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  Runs good but cheap quality interior - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By daylight123 - October 1 - 1:56 pm

  We bought this van brand new in 2006. The tires that came with it needed replacing after one year. The driver and passendger sun visors keep breaking off. We have replaced them 3 times over the years. The interior light fixtures and air vents fall out regularly. Cup holders broke off. Seat folding handle is broken. C/D player broke after the 2nd year. The bearings needed to be replaced at around 75,000 miles. Right now at 94,000 miles the a/c is not working and the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. Also, the dashboard indicator lights are not reliable. Have recently replaced the alternator - $500.