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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  Be careful - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Anil Tumbapura - September 28 - 10:26 am

  Very nice outlook. Looks classy, drives good but not at all reliable. Electronics inside the car trouble you frequently. We have been to dealership once every three months with problems. They cant call it a lemon but cant figure out the problems either. Nissan extended our warranty which did not help. High end vehicle such as Quest should be more reliable. If you are planning to get 100K out of this, be prepared to have 2nd or 3rd car handy. Tires wear out quickly (unusual category of Goodyear tire). Gearshaft gets locked (I could not move it from Park to Drive. It got stuck at passenger pick up area in the airport, fun!). None of my impressions are exaggerated.

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  Quest Review - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Deolal - September 19 - 10:00 am

  I have been very happy with the performance of the Quest, the looks and confort. what a fantastic vehicle. Manuverablilty and stability great. Great adjustibility for the drivers seat for leg comfort, whether you are a big person or small, unlike my sienna.

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  I never thought I would enjoy driving a minivan until now - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By 08outtie - September 12 - 12:39 am

  A great vehicle thru and thru. The styling is unlike all the other typical minivan on the market, so in a way, I feel that it is less like a minivan. I like the boxy style at the back, although I would understand that it is a love it or hate it styling. I love the CVT on the Quest. I test drove a Cube couple years back and it was so loud and straining at all RPM. I think the problem with the Cube was the small engine. With the Quests 3.5L engine, the CVT is quiet and extremely smooth. The interior is just unbelievable for a minivan. It basically is a carbon copy of the Infinitis interior design. Fit and finish is top notch. I guess thats the result of the vehicle being built in Japan.

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  Still better than most minivans - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Just Jay - September 9 - 3:40 pm

  The wife loves the van. I think if it were totaled, she would still try to have it rebuilt! This from a family that said we would "NEVER own a minivan." Then 8 months of pregnancy happened. It has been a very good van overall. She is more impressed than I, but I dont mind driving it. I always tell the other guys who tease that it has the Maxima V6 and that seems to smooth a few over. We had problems right out of the gate with a new model in its first year, but Nissan backed us up 100% and even extended our factory warranty until 5 years or 60,000 miles without us asking! The wife loves the gauges over the A/C and radio with the storage over the wheel.

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  Moms greatest fantasy! - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By IluvmyQuest! - September 8 - 2:36 am

  I am a 25 year old mom of two and am in the car a lot! When I saw the Quest, I thought it was so cool looking and sporty. My husband wanted an SUV, but the second row in all the SUVs with a third row were tiny in comparison to the van. I was looking for major interior space, and I found it! I can put a wagon or my daughters bike in the back without folding any seats down! I have had my van for 3 months and am loving it! The power doors and lift gate are awesome. I also love the DVD player. My husband was suprised at how fast it accelerates and it is really fun to drive. I can beat teenagers off the line in it! I was looking for a cool family hauler and I found it! I love my Quest!

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  Squeaks and rattles - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By R. Young - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I have the SE model with dual DVD screens and every other possible add on including GPS. $40,000 out the door price. It is a lovely car, drives nice, great sound system DVD is great with the grand kids. I want to love it. Im trying to love it.HOWEVER The sliding doors click,clack (rattle)along with other squeaks and squawks that drive me crazy. Hard to read the gas guage and odometer. Same motor as my 04 Maxima, but half the pick-up.

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  Only 1000 miles so far, but: - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By gixxerjim - September 3 - 9:53 pm

  This van is by far the most fun to drive van available. Test drive consisted of a twisty stretch of two lane I regularly hit on my GSXR. This van handles wonderfully, has good power and is comfortable for the entire family, even the rearmost seat.

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  STAY AWAY FORM THIS VEHICLE - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By sunflowergrl - August 27 - 10:00 am

  I have filed a BBB suit against Nissan, that is how many problems I have had with this vehicle. In the garage more than on the road. Maybe it will be better when they get all the bugs worked out, but I got stuck with a Lemon that they dont want back!!!!

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  Better and Better - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Marty - August 27 - 9:56 am

  Just traded in our 04 Quest SL for an 07 Quest SL. Our 04 had 34,000 miles on it and never once had to be returned to the dealership, other than for routine maint. Weve only had the 07 for a week so there isnt a lot about reliabilty to report yet, We are most impressed with the power/smoothness of the 3.5L engine and 5 speed auto transmission. This 07 seems even more refined than the 04 in fit/finish. We were glad to see the addition of left side sliding door and traditional location for speedometer over steering wheel.

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  Build Quality OK...Great Vehicle!! - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Tiny Tunerz - August 14 - 9:06 pm

  My experience so far with the 2005 Nissan Quest S has been very positive. I have just over 20,000 miles and I am very happy with the Quest. There have been a few build quality annoyances like inoperable cd player and the drivers side manual sliding door was tough to open. The engine is strong and smooth; its a great cruising vehicle. Lots of great standard features like power rear hatch and passenger sliding door. Cavernous interior.