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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  EXCELLLENT - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By JRBBC918 - December 6 - 10:00 am

  I thikn this is a greta car

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  I will never buy Nissan again - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Horrible Van - December 4 - 8:03 am

  We bought the Quest believing that Nissan makes a good product. We were disappointed from the start. The gear lever came off, the seat adjustment came off several times, the door button fell inside the panel, the arm rests wont stay even, the sliding doors rattle and we were told nothing could be done. The exterior is cheap and gets dinged easily. The front nose cone is cheap plastic and breaks constantly requiring replacement of the entire cone. The tires are a rip off as you can only buy one type of tire at a high price. The car has been a complete disapointment.

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  Best Minivan - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By ab2150 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Evaluated Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. Ended up buying an SL Quest (smoke). Honda was very outdated on the inside. Toyota was to stodgy inside and out. Quest has a very space age look inside and out. Rides great and all the power you would ever want. Many neat gadgets and fold down 2nd and 3rd row. Ergonomics are oustanding on this vehicle.

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  Our last Odyssey - 2014 Nissan Quest
  By believe - November 27 - 1:49 am

  We have ALWAYS been pretty much Honda customers. In fact, since 1977 when we purchased our first new car we have always for the most part purchased Honda. Well times have changed. We decided this time to take the Quest for a drive. It is simply the smoothest, best looking, best interior, at least in our honest opinion. We were fortunate enough to catch the St. Pats day sale and purchased the SV model for approx $8k off MSRP. That has to be the best deal we have ever made, but aside from that, the Quest is so comfortable. Neither the Sienna or Odyssey felt as good as the Quest. BTW, our last two vans were the Odyssey. BTW...we purchased this van for retirement. We didnt need 8 seating.

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  Awesome Van , Hey bill7638737 you suck - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By Jose - November 16 - 2:00 am

  This van is something else, great power and the TV feature is great. I cant wait to see the new remodeled quest that nissan has in stored, but this van will do. Good Job nissan and bill you really suck

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  My first Mini-Van - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By JTUWDAWG - November 13 - 10:00 am

  Aside from a few little "ticks" this first mini van of mine seems to certainly pass the test! Being a non- traditionalist, this van seems made for me! An aside from the nagging back up sound it makes, it has been everything that I hoped in getting. Comfort, styling and economical to run.

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  I love this van - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By kimkiaria - November 11 - 8:20 pm

  This is my first minivan, as I too, was ambivalent about being a minivan mom, but I love it. Its roomy and sporty. I dont feel like Im driving a big bulky van. Ive taken several trips with it, and so far, no problems. I strongly suggest this van for those of you reluctant to finally admit youre a van person. It handles and corners like a sports car.

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  Sucker Buy - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Sucker buy - October 24 - 5:10 pm

  Wow, a great looking "minivan"? I was completely impressed with the modern design, sporty look, awesome 27 mpg hwy etc. Ive had the van for 1.5 years and am worried about reliability. All automated doors/sensors/gauges are giving me funny issues like doors sticking, sensors going out. Then I had to replace the tires at 30k runflats. Only one tire is available at $350 apiece!! So I need a truck now and am giving the van to my wife since I cannot sell it until its paid off. After 1.5 years only worth 19k trade in. This van has everything skyview, dvd, nav, etc. and it dropped 20k in 2 years. Ill never buy Nissan again!

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  A happy puppy! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By undertakker357 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Nissan has hit a grand slam home run. I traded in a 2001 Quest for this new 2004 and boy am I happy that I did. Biggest single advantage is NOT having to haul out those HEAVY center row captain chairs. Now I can easily fold down the chairs for convenience. Also larger doors makes entry to rear row easier, and overall length increase means more legroom for 2nd row passengers. Wonderful drivers seat, comfort and FINALLY legroom for us tall drivers. Love the gas and break peddel that moves, so I can finally get legroom. Also additional power of 240 h.p. engine was long overdue!

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  lots of problems - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By paul - October 15 - 11:33 am

  Mostly cosmetic problems, lots of plastic falling off the car, but the doors and the transmission have needed work more often than they should in a 1 year old car. Mechanically, it needs a lot of work.