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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  THIS IS GREAT - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By brandon1234 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Nissan really did it for me. Me and my family drove every mini van under the sun, some of them twice and we kept going back to the Quest. Now a few months later we couldnt be happier with are decision.

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  Good Value - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By jagged30 - August 11 - 12:16 pm

  We bought the van in March and currently have 7500 miles on it. My wife traded it for a 2001 Chrysler Town/Country. The power and ride are very good - almost sporty - and it is comfortable, but the reliability is questionable and build quality needs improvement. We just got it back from the shop for a bad transmission control module, which was replaced under warranty; service was very good. However, the drivers storage hinge is broken, the a/c vents have fallen from the ceiling, silver finish on the steering wheel and shifter show wear - as does the material on center stack. It also looks like it will be hard to clean. However, it was significantly much cheaper than the Sierra/Odyssey.

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  2011 Quest is awesome - 2011 Nissan Quest
  By paul_hansen - August 11 - 6:37 am

  We did a lot of research. Besides the Nissan Quest, we drove the Honda Odyssey (ok), Toyota Sienna (yuck), Buick Enclave (nice, but $), and Mazda 5 (great, affordable microvan). Hands down, the Nissan Quest was our choice. Definitely feels like driving a luxury car. Pro reviewers should rate it higher. Seven seats are plenty, and I dont care that they dont "stow and go," because both back rows fold flat for plenty of cargo space. If thats really not enough, rent a U-haul. Also, since the third row doesnt fold into the floor, youre left with cavernous storage that doesnt have to be emptied to fold the seats.

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  Rattle Trap - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By notsogreat - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Compared to our2001 Expedition, it is much easier to get the children in and out of the vehicle. Power is good, gas mileage averages 17 MPG - not good. Ride is fine in the city. There is significant wind noise on highway at speeds above 65 mph - very annoying. One of the primary reasons for purchase was the ease of entry through the sliding doors.Car has been back to the dealership 6 times since 12/03 for rattling passenger doors. It is no minor rattle! It will drive you nuts. This is not the only rattle. Hit a small bump, the rest of the car rattles as well. This was our first Nissan,and it will be our last.

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  Starting Problems - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Gail - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Frequently this vehicle wont start in the AM. I have taken it to the dealer repeatedly and they claim they cant replicate the problem. I overhead some mechanics discussing that this is a common customer complaint with this vehicle, but when I questioned them on the comment, everyone denied having said it.

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  We absolutely LOVED our Nissan Quest, until.. - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By Rachel B. - August 3 - 7:33 pm

  We loved our Nissan Quest, until the warranty ran out. Now, the car we once loved and adored, sits at the Nissan Service center, with $6500 worth of repairs on the CVT transmission and AC unit. We cant afford the repairs, since we still owe $15,000 on the car. Nissan has offered us zero support, despite the wide spread number of documented complaints on 2010-2012 Nissans CVT transmissions, and Nissan Quest A/C units. Additionally, the car has gone through 6 sets of tires, and seems to need breaks every few months. It is VERY costly to own a Nissan Quest. I suggest, if youre in the market for a used mini van, stay away from the Quest, and look at something like a Kia Sedona, which has a stronger warranty.

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  Glad I bought it - 2009 Nissan Quest
  By Michael - July 27 - 2:03 am

  I was also considering Honda, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia. Hyundai cars are great but vans have all sorts of electrical/mechanical issues; Kia is a Hyundai with stripped down interior so they were out. Honda & Toyota bored me to tears, also much more expensive. I resisted buying a minivan for years but am enjoying the Quest. Looks and feels great. Build quality is even better than I expected. Handling is crisp, steering sharp, powertrain is strong and smooth. I traded from a small car so the mileage is not as good but still around 19 in town (with a light foot) and actually over 24 on the highway! Very pleased.

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  Has been a good van for us - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Todd F` - July 19 - 8:10 pm

  We have owned our Quest for four years and it has not required a return trip to the dealer for anything other than a recall on an airbag. Drive 75 mph on long trips we average 25 mpg. The engine is fantastic and the thing is huge inside. If you need a larger vehicle that still gets decent mileage, this is one to consider.

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  Quest for the best - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By coleman_lot - July 12 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is very fun to drive and an eye catching machine. Finally the minivan doesnt feel like a minivan. It truly feel luxury, futuristic, fun to drive and tons of gadgets.

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  Mad as HELL! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Mr. mom - July 10 - 10:00 am

  We have love our Quest for three years now. We got it used. Im 65", my wife is 511" and our kids are going to be huge we know that already. lol so the room is what we needed we got it. We ALSO got a van that has had and continues to have transmission issues. The trany was replaced two years after we got it and were told that it was never serviced. Nissan says every 30,000 it needs a flush and fill. so the new rebuilt trany is now giving us a fit and Nissan keeps telling us they "cant reproduce the issue" even after the dealer ship having the van for 26 DAYS.The timing chain is making a ticking noise thats not covered by the warranty because it has 45 parts and 10 are covered by them.