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:

• 

  3 QUESTS IN A ROW - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By QUEST FAN - March 5 - 10:26 am

  This is my third Quest. They have all been great vehicles. It even pulls my 21 foot bay boat very well. The kids love the entertainment system (our second) and my wife and I can now carry on a conversation without the kids talking.

• 

  2001 Quest GLE - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By swapper9 - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Fully loaded GLE with 3.3L V-6, leather and burlwood trim interior, plus 6-CD changer w/upgraded sound system, VCR (should a been DVD), power everything, with driver seat memory, and other stuff too numerous to mention. City mileage improved considerably from ~15 mpg to ~20 mpg after about a year. Electronic mileage fuel calculator is a joke, not even accurate. No major issues thus far -- knock on burlwood. Warranty will expire in a couple months and I have seen a few service advisories I would like to get checked, such as side-window latches that loosen, noises from rear suspension, seat belt recall. No issues regarding tire quality.

• 

  love it & hate it - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By love it & hate it - March 5 - 2:00 am

  saw it said "yuck", drove it said,"hum! took husband back that evening, he drove, said,"ok". Took it home. Talk of the town, lots of stares & inquiries. Unfortuneately, weve encountered several problems with 1 being a constant repeat problem...dome lights come on by themselves a lot!!! The dealer has had mine for 55 days! Tying to find out the problem. Told,5 differents reasons so far. My husband keeps asking"why did we trade in our OLDS. SILHOUTTE that had no problems?" I call it "MY THANG",its like a muscle- car-van-suv. Love the idea, hate the 1st year glitches.

• 

  Love Quest so much bought a 2nd one - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Scooby Mom - March 5 - 1:43 am

  I initially purchased a 2004 Nissan Quest SE and I absolutely loved it (DVD player didnt hurt). My 17-year old son was involved in a bad accident in my 2004 Quest. He walked away without a scratch; the car suffered all the front end damage but my son had not one scratch. Unfortunately, my 2004 Quest had to be totalled because it absorbed all of the energy and the frame was crumpled behind the engine. Well - I had 2 days to shop for a vehicle and I kept coming back to the Quest. I bought the 2007 Nissan Quest 3.5S in chestnut brown - it is a beautiful car and my 8 yr-old twins love the car. I highly recommend the Quest.

• 

  THE QUEST FOR A SATISFIED OWNER - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By QUEST SE - February 27 - 2:00 am

  SETTING ASIDE THE NAME NISSAN QUEST...THIS VAN CAN MOVE AND PERFORMS VERY WELL IN ACCELARTING AND MANEUVERING HOWEVER IM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE SUSPENSION. THE VAN RATTLES TO MUCH AND BECOMES ANNOYING WHEN DRIVING. ON THE HIGHWAYS AND SMOOTH SURFACES I GIVE IT THUMBS UP ....BUT STAY AWAY FROM LOCAL STREETS WITH POT HOLES AND UNEVEN SURFACES.

• 

  Excellent Buy - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Quest Driver - February 25 - 6:13 pm

  Purchased van early 07 and have not regretted my decision. Its spacious and perfect for a family vehicle. I looked at Toyota, Honda and Nissan. Nissan was definitely the best buy for the money. It makes for a great ride on long trips with young kids with the dvd entertainment. I like the exterior design... not so minivan looking.

• 

  peice of junk - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By mommydriver101 - February 25 - 10:00 am

  We have had this van for 2 years and used it only for vacations we have a lot of miles oin it but there are many problems! The hood and all over the car there are crows feet which means the paint is going to peel. there is a really loud rattleing sound in the back but nobody seems to know what is wrong. the trasmison kicks really hard when you floor it. the acceleration stinks. going up a hill it takes about 30 seconds to even get close to the speed. WE are Not very happy with this car. we have had to take it to the dealer alot to get many things repaired. the tv breaks very easly but works good when is not broken.

• 

  Best Deal....why look anywhere else? - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By mini-mom - February 25 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Quest for almost 2 years now and I LOVE it! This van is such a great deal...we got all the features we really wanted, plus the entertainment center which has been invaluable. We have taken several long trips in our van and my husband (who is quite tall) never complains about being uncomfortable. The kids are entertained the whole trip and the rear a/c has been wonderful! We have had such positive experiences with Nissan vechicles and their warranty is top notch! I except to buy another Quest when we are ready for something new.

• 

  Dont buy Nissan!!! - 2009 Nissan Quest
  By yv13 - February 14 - 1:16 pm

  I have certified Pre-Owned 2009 Nissan Quest with 36,500 mi. Before 30K I had to change driving belt, less then 36K front and back brakes changed and rotors on the back were so bad that mechanic could not cut them and had to be replaced. Now I have problem with AC Compressor ( over $1,000 to repair) and look like struts going out too. Nissan refusing finansial assistance with repairs of their low quality cars! DONT BUY NISSAN AT ALL!!!

• 

  1500 miles and that was it - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By Tom - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I hated this thing the very next morning, while staring into its windshield, which reflected back at least 60% of its own dumb dashboard. In my (admitedly weak) defense, it was already dark the day before, but I trusted that car makers knew better. Was I wrong! Nothing fit right, it twisted and rattled, switches fell off, mileage claims did not measure up to claims. The drivers seat wants you off like a bull at a rodeo.... I continued hating it, finally set a limit on my patience, until the first oil change. When 1500 miles finally (!) came up, I traded it in one heartbeat for new Acura MDX and was happy ever since.