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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  Cool for a Minivan! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By MarvinK - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Fear of first year run, but no problems so far. We were looking at getting anything BUT a minivan to replace our aging Town & Country, but the Quest had lots of room, good fuel economy and was cooler than a lot of the small & midsize SUVs we looked at! Biggest complaint is that many options are only available on SE, and SE needs more interior options (see below).

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  Summary opinion of my 2004 quest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By JAMES BROWN - August 1 - 2:43 am

  From the first moment sitting behind the wheel i felt this seat is the most comfortable seat that i have ever sat in and this van gives me a feeling of confidence even in the heaviest traffic, due to the drivers view. The styling is way ahead of the other vans, kind of racy looking and not a typical shoebox style. My passengers love riding in it, i have tried out the various seating positions just to get a feel of the ride and found that i agree with them. I had to pick up 6 pvc pipes that were 10 ft.Loom by 3 inches. That were no problem in fitting them in with room to spare. This is a vehicle that i plan on keeping for a long time.

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  2004 Nissan Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Brian - July 31 - 2:10 am

  After purchasing this minivan for what we thought was superior design, quality and innovation we are very disappointed. The cd/radio was replaced, the rear heat is terrible (blows cool air) which the dealer told us is normal, the tires are garbage, the panel on the rear door over the license plate light pulled off and now the three dials associated with the temperature controls on the center consule are not lighting. That is the first and last of Japanese vehicles.

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  lemon vehicle - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By frances - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Has been to service department 7 times since purchase. Problems with interior lighting--see service bulletin, loose steering column, fuel chamber leak, transmission shift knob came out and broke, overall very frustrating experience since purchase.Current complaint filed with Better Business Bureau

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  SOME DISSAPOINTMENTS - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By AMB - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I love the style, the features, the drive but I was so dissapointed with the fixes that we have to had done when the factory should have checked it. Ratlle noise on both doors (passenger), there was a technical bulletin on it. Problem with power window in drivers side, loose part found. While the car is fun and great, it is difficult to have to take a van back when these types of issues should have been looked upon before giving to customer. I expect superior quality on a Japanese brand.

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  cool - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By ntxikausnyas - July 30 - 10:00 am

  It is fuel efficient, has good quality, and run very smooth compare to plymouth voyager. It has a lot of comfort plus you can fold the backseats to transport bigger things as well as you can remove the back seats.

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  Nissan Quest Rocks - 2011 Nissan Quest
  By jimboy435 - July 26 - 11:46 pm

  When we had our 2nd child, I knew we had to get a minivan. I was dreading to buy a minivan but when I saw the Quest, it was match made in heaven. I was confused, does it look like a minivan, a crossover or what? Well folks, do yourself a favor & test drive this minivan before you even try to buy the Odyssey or the Sienna. I have owned Hondas in the past & I did like the Odyssey, however the bland interior & so-so looks made me go towards the Quest. If you want to use your mini-van as a U-hauler, then go for the Odyssey or the Sienna but if you want to easily convert the minivan to a hauler, Quest should be your choice. And to make it more sweeter, I got it $2k under invoice.

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  steering failure - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By eileen toscano - July 24 - 9:00 am

  Lovely looking, but at 30,ooo miles steering column failed.Is this a lemon/ Beware.

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  Huge Dissapointment - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By sd33 - July 13 - 5:30 am

  We purchased it brand new in 05. We had few complaints for 5 years. In January 2011 it started blowing smoke from the exhaust. The van had 30k miles on it and there were no "warning" lights coming on. Despite proper maintenance, the oil was low and sludgy. To condense a very long and frustrating story; we took it to the dealer multiple times trying to find the problem. $400 later we were told the engine was basically fried and they couldnt explain it. We tried to get assistance from Nissan as the van had low mileage. Our mechanic told Nissan it was not a maintenance issue, they refused to assist because I was missing a couple receipts to prove it was properly maintained.

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  Nissan Quest 2007 - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Mark - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I looked at both the Nissan Quest and the Honda Odyssey. Pricing was about the same as I purchased the top end vehicle. I drive a lot and wanted comfort. The interiors of both the Quest and the Odyssey are well done, good looking and functional. Exterior wise, the Quest makes the Odyssey look like a cardboard box. Honda does stick it to you though, every bit of trim is high priced and extra. Drivability, is the Quests side. The Honda has loose steering and hesitates on acceleration. I could say a lot more, but between the two, buy the Quest. It is the hands down choice. And you do not have to deal with the Honda Arrogance and high interest rates for financing.