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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  love my quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By happy quest owner - June 24 - 1:13 pm

  This is the second minivan ive ever owned and I love it! I have never had any trouble with it, the quality is great, the looks are superb, and performance is incredible! I have no complaints about my quest and am so happy I purchased it when I was looking to move into a larger vehicle than the one I had been driving. Everyone who has driven my car loves it, and two friends of mine in the market for a mini-van purchased Quests after using mine as their "test drive" van! I would recommend this van to everyone.

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  You have to buy one - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By Its miked again - June 23 - 3:23 am

  We just came from a 3200 mile driving vacation to the east coast and back to Kansas. Our van performed excellent and almost matched the rated mileage of 25 mpg. we got 24 mpg with the ac on, averaging 70 mph, and having the van fully loaded with people and cargo. We were happy about that. Also, all of our family that saw, rode in, and drove the van were very impress with the comfotable ride, power of the engine, roominess of the interior, and the cool design. No problems with the van whatsoever.

• 

  More than its worth.. - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Jerlyn Goodwin - June 19 - 2:00 am

  The car was bought manily for my use. I use a mobility scooter and my sister thought it would be heathful. She pretty much bought the first car she saw on the first day we went looking. I was not in favor of the buy. First the car was to big and clumbsy. It is diffcult to drive I cannot get comfrtable in it and for such a large mini/van it seems small inside. I have arthriris and let just say Im glad when the ride is over. I had a rear- in accident with a ford pick-up. Oct 13. We didnt get the car back until Nov.22. That is a bit long. I hit him going less then 15 mph. I admit the car stops traffic but there is no way I can recommend it.

• 

  Great Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By 2nd Quest - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Had a 1995Quest but leg room was an issue as our 3 children are older. Looked seriously at Sienna because of split third row bench,wind and engine noise in 1995Quest. Style won over, roomy interior, comfortable seating for 7, powerful engine, much quieter ride. Center pod takes time getting used to but much safer for driver. Theres a place for just about everything within the drivers safe reach. Kids actually choose to ride on the row bench seat! Had sliding door gasket reglued at 100 miles but no problems since. 3,500 miles and still loving it.

• 

  pretty fun...for a minivan - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By rhettsmommy - June 11 - 10:06 pm

  im one of those "i will never drive a minivan" people. then i became a parent, and quickly realized that the only way to successfully transport said baby and his entorage was do (gulp) get a bigger car! we looked at toyota and honda before settling on the quest. for the price, it had a lot of the features that cost $10K more in the ohter two brands! not to mention it was by far the best looking...not that hideous girly shape. we also LOVE all the interior room, and the 3.5 engine (same one as the z car) has a lot of get-up-and-go that i totally didnt expect. i enjoy driving it in spite of myself, and my sons car seat goes in and out effortlessly.

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  nisssan quest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Shannon Smith - June 9 - 10:50 am

  This nissan quest is an exllente car for room snow and a famliy.This car has a DVD player and headless headphones. So if you want all this sfuff in a car this the car for you. THE END

• 

  Our first Van - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By Nosoyo - June 6 - 10:00 am

  Of all the new vans we have seen on the road and have looked in the web, we liked 3 of them the best. We have road tested the Toyota Sienna, Honda Oddesey, and Nissan Quest. We wanted a van with an attractive exterior so as we can feel proud to drive and own the vehicle. The Nissan Quest exterior looks much better than the other two although the Sienna was close for us. The Interior had to look attractive also or we would not buy the Van. The Nissan Quest had the best looking interior. Very attractive control panel!! Love it! The driving was good, the ride is smooth and overall the Nissan Quest was the best!! We bought the Nissan Quest!!

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  We have loved our Quest from day one!! - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By Love our Quest - June 1 - 3:13 am

  We bought our Quest new and have loved it! We have had no problems other than the weather stripping on top of the van coming off. We have them fixed and they come back off but the dealer always fixes them again. We actually got rear ended at 70 miles per hour shortly after buying this van and were very happy with the van in the accident, very minor bumper damage, due to crumple zone, and my 2 small children were not injured and neither was I, no whiplash or anything. We take our van on 1000 mile trips at least twice a yr to see family and it is great on trips, comfortable and no problems out of it. Recommend this van to anyone!! Its been great. Would definitely buy another Nissan!

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  2012 Quest ... Luxurious with Creature Comforts - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By joecool7 - May 29 - 7:06 pm

  We never seriously considered buying a minivan until we saw the 2012 Nissan Quest. Finally a minivan that has styling. It has the looks and feel of pure luxury like in first class all the way with creature pampered comforts of a hi-end Infiniti. We bought the Quest SL in Pearl White a couple of weeks ago. Drove it on vacation and have put on 1,000 miles. It honestly gets 24 mpg highway. We got as much as 25 mpg highway driving. Hard to get the 19 mpg city as advertised though. We got closer to 16-17 mpg city. However, with the comfort we experienced on the long road trip while on vacation, the trade-off in mpg is worth it. This is a fantastic vehicle!

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  Im glad I give the Quest a look. - 2011 Nissan Quest
  By texas_daddy - May 23 - 5:29 pm

  After spending nearly 3 months on and off test driving both used and every new minivan currently on the market, I finally drove the Nissan Quest. Without realizing it, I saved the best for last. My wife and I were both unexcited about purchasing a new van to replace our 10 year old MPV. But after driving the Quest we were finally able stay goodbye and sign on the dotted line. The Sienna, Odyssey just didnt have the same quiet and refined ride that the Quest has. Nor did they have the same level of quality materials used on the interior of the Quest. We were impressed.