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:
Showing 61 through 70 of 969.00-
problems after 75000 miles - 2000 Nissan Quest
By wik - May 12 - 10:16 pmwe had minor problems after purchase and during warranty such as replace vcr unit twice and driver window motor replaced, all covered by warranty but makes you wonder what else will go wrong. Our dealer service was great. We got the extended warranty at 75000 miles. At 77,000 the front end had major problems such as axle and tie rods etc all not covered. Now we are told it will need about anoth $1000 in repairs. We are thinking of trading it in. I expected better from a Japanese car when we bought it new. It was cheaper then the honda and toyota and now I know why.
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Buy the Nissan Quest!!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By tkinrokop - April 29 - 10:00 amI just got into the Quest SL, and the vehicle is outstanding!!! Doesnt look boring like the other competition, and drives like a car. Has "fold-flat" 2nd and 3rd row seats...no one else does. Buy the Quest.
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Hot my quest!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Rafael - April 29 - 10:00 amThe car is great. Got it with the DVD player, six cd changer and navigation. Includes sonar, power doors, etc. I did do a test drive on the Sienna and the Honda Minivan but liked the Quest much better. I test drove the base S model and it is to basic for me. Wanted the SE model but to much money ......
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nissan quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
By rhumba - April 23 - 10:00 ampeople are stopping me to ask what it is i love the fold down seats, wish they had a pattern to hide eventual dirt
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I LOVE IT!!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Nissan Enthusiast - April 23 - 10:00 amThe new Quest is awesome. It whoops the Oddyssey and Sienna by a mile. It looks awesome and is as fast as a 350Z. Smooth ride and good gas mileage make it my favorite.
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I love my new car - 2004 Nissan Quest
By dosilbe - April 10 - 2:00 amI love my new car. We only buy new and then only every ten years. What a thrill to drive and all the nifty stuff the car computer can tell me on the dashboard. I feel like "star trek"
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2004 nissan nxtgen - 2004 Nissan Quest
By quest 04 - April 9 - 10:10 amseats are not comfortble. rattling in roof, rear windows when open. had to have front rotors turned to prevent ongoing vibration at my cost - should be nissans cost. front panel under engine fell off - not properly fastened. vehicle sold with outdated navigation system. had to purchase new version for $199.00 van is too long could be more compact
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Poor Milage - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Running60 - April 5 - 10:00 amHappy with every thing about the vehicle except the milage that I am getting. Doest come close to the ratings.
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Love it!!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Rosa Cutcher - March 31 - 10:00 amThis is by far our best vehicle purchase to date. The convience and the comfort along with all the saftey features are perfect for our little family. PLus there is room to grow! For families starting out or been in the game awile this van is definitly worth checking out.
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Great Mini Van - 2005 Nissan Quest
By Vinnie - March 26 - 9:13 amAll though it is a great mini van there has been some problems. Ive have had the rotors turned and new pads that did not fix the pulsation so they replaced with new rotors and pads again. now there was a clicking noise in the front end so the dealer replaced one cv joint. The driver side window regulator needed to be replaced because it was making a clicking noise now the passenger side window goes all the way up then comes down again the dealer said it needs a new motor that is on back order. All of these problems with only 18,000 miles
