4 Star Reviews for Nissan Quest

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.32/5 Average
969 Total Reviews
Model Overview:

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
  • Great Family MiniVan! - 2005 Nissan Quest
    By -

    We have had our 2005 Quest SL for 8 years now, bought new. It has been the perfect van for us. Spacious, strong engine, drives great (for a van), and gets decent highway mileage (we average 24 on trips). Electronically adjustable drivers seat. It was worth buying the extended warranties, as minivans (weight and usage) put a lot of stress on transmissions and suspensions. We used the warranty and saved a lot on major repairs common to the entire minivan category.

  • Love my Quest but.... - 2011 Nissan Quest
    By -

    I have had this vehicle for 5 weeks now and love it overall. I purchased a 2011 Quest leftover that had 15 miles on it. However, I just had a new battery installed by the dealership (covered by warranty) since it kept refusing to start. We thought my kids had left light on or one of the doors was left open (kinda hard to believe since we always use the buttons to open/close). Long story short, two people my husband works with bought new 2011 Quests and said it was a bad battery. Sure enough, brought it to the dealership and the battery was bad. This seems to be a pretty common problem with this vehicle. Hopefully no more surprises.

  • In Quest of the Perfect Van - 2005 Nissan Quest
    By -

    Besides the 2004 Quest SL with 33,000 miles we run a 2000 Odessey and 2001 Sienna.Quest- most fun to drive (comparing their 1st year of operation) with the best combination of effortless road handling, speed, comfort and quiet,stereo. The body construction both inside & out seems less durable than others. Auto rear door hatch - great feature when carrying parcels. Unfortunately the lift device on ours just fell off. Instrument controls -too confusing (all digital with no manual click and stay buttons). The digital buttons are flush- tricky to engage-distracting. When the van is shut off the fan defaults to feet. Bracket holding adjustable pedals very dangerous-scathes toe. Hard on fuel

  • Wait a year or two - 2004 Nissan Quest
    By -

    This may be redundant to the other 100 or so reviews, but Nissan really designed a lousy car this time. Parts replaced include fuel pump (wouldnt start in the cold), exhaust system (cat converter hanging when purchased), front wheel(bent rim),& many others. Doors rattle, dash rattles, seat belt adjuster broke, pop out window motor loose. 12 trips to the shop already! Dealership at a loss for how to fix everything. Theyre overwhelmed, but trying hard. Nissan USA is USELESS! Scrapped my complaint after 30 days because no activity even though it was unresolved.

  • 2004 Nissan Quest 3.5 SE MiniVan - 2004 Nissan Quest
    By -

    This was the dealers car.Had 26,000 miles when I got it. Aside from new tires, brakes it has been a charm.Regular maint and oil changes.Great gas mileage on long highway trips. We take driving vacations and it has never let us down. At 130,000 miles needed transmission, rebuilt and running just like before. This was the first major expense since I bought the car.

  • Not splashy but functionable - 2002 Nissan Quest
    By -

    The Quest doesnt turn heads, or zoom,zoom around town. This is my second (1998 GLE) and it has always been reliable. It has enough luxury with the heated leather seats and VCR plus, but the price didnt kill me. For an older couple like us, it provides enough hauling roon ,but with alittle bit of luxury.

  • My first Disappointment in Nissan - 2004 Nissan Quest
    By -

    Ive worked and owned several Nissans. This is by far the worst one Ive had. At 67000 I had to have the Alternator replaced ($672.00) Now at 87000 the timing chain is rattling / pecking. Cost of repair $1104.63 Ive put over 200,000 miles on my altima.

  • Minivan with some pep! - 2004 Nissan Quest
    By -

    My wife and I said we would never own a minivan. However, Quest has won us over. We like the fact that it has the Maxima engine in it and is fun to drive. The van has some pep. It also has been a lifesaver with our kids. We can pop in a DVD and they actually stay quiet in the back. Gret for road trips!

  • Lots of Problems - 2004 Nissan Quest
    By -

    The style of this Nissan is great. The kids love the skyview windows, which makes the interior seem very cavernous. It seems like Nissan released this vehicle before the ironed out all the kinks though. Should you decide on the Quest be prepared for many problems, such as sunroof/roof leaks, interior trim breakage, rattles, a very confusing control panel, and power door problems, just to name a few of the common ones. Do your research before purchase!

  • The best minivan - 2013 Nissan Quest
    By -

    We had Honda Odysseys for 12 years one if them a top of the line Touring. No real complaints but the Quest LE is better. The vehicle is luxurious. The ride is superb for a van. This van is overlooked by many buyers and as a result there are big discounts to be had on remaining 2013s. Every gadget you could imagine . Technically less cargo space than others but the seats fold flat to a Make cargo room rather than get removed. Leg room in the first row is wonderful. I am 6.4 used to feeling crowded in most vehicles not this one

Nissan Quest Reviews By Year:
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