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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  Earlier models may have some problems - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Jessica Jordan - December 7 - 10:10 pm

  Love to drive the car- very fun. Have had numerous little problems with the car. Linking sun roof, exhast problems- all have been covered under the warrenty but not what a would expect after paying so much for a new car. Hopefully Nissan worked out these problems with the later models.

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  some problems - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Dude - December 2 - 2:00 am

  We bought car 2 weeks ago. This is an awesome vehicle, the 5 sky views, sunroof and auto doors excellent approach. But we got some problems all ready: Sunroof badly leaked and van now at Dealership for sunroof replacement for the second day. DVD didnt worked, mechanical noise in area of the second row right chair or door. Dealership still working with it. I think for a new car and for 2 weeks a lot of problems. What else we should expect?

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  Style and power but need improvements - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By style+power+innovati - November 17 - 8:20 pm

  If you dont want to go wrong with a minivan, get the honda. If you want absolute versatility and value, get the toyota. If you want to drive around town in STYLE and have the PERFORMANCE to boot, the Nissan Quest outdoes everyone. Lots of compliments from strangers on looks. Love the V6-240 vroom as I pull into HWY uphill. Own 1997 grand caravan and 2003 caravan and way too weak for me. Power steering easier on dodges, quest hard to steer when parking. Lots of minor build issues; seat&door recalls, inferior interior plastics, windshield washers trash, heavy wipers, etc...nothing major. Nice innovative dash, not for gramps though; but I love it-great road vision and LCD. Best spacious cargo

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  Disappointed consumer- Do your research! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Disappointed person - November 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car a week ago and noticed the rattling noise too. The service light soon came on and a compartment hatch was broken. Therefore, I had to take it to the shop. This has been a bad experience and my comfort level is not very high right now.

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  Engine Problems - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Sheila Whitley - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I love everything about the van except several engine noises. When the air conditioner is on, there is an annoying sound. When I accelerate, there is a cricket sound that lasts about 15 - 20 seconds. It makes this sound at any speed when accelerating once youve leveled off. There is also a motor noise when I am going up an incline and between 65 -70 mph. If I stay exactly below or above, you cannot hear it. When going up the incline you can acutally feel a vibration. Everyone who rides with me wants to know what is wrong with my car. The noise is very annoying when traveling long distances. What is going on? Oh yea, gas mileage not as great as I thought it would be.

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  Want to buy a slightly used Quest? - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By fedupwithnissan - November 4 - 3:20 am

  Lets see, where do I begin...oh yea, every week for the first two months after I bought it, I spent at the dealership fixing problems. Heres a list of the issues: sunroof stopped working (twice), side molding came off (on both sides), roof molding came off (finally glued it myself with crazy glue after taking it to the dealership twice and them not fixing it), side doors dont close when its cold out (no one contacted me about any recalls), engine noise, running board lights stopped working (after two months), poor customer service. Every time Ive taken a car in to get worked on, my wife had to wait all day for it. The van is poor quality and the customer service is worse.

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  My quest fulfilled... - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By MarianneS - October 27 - 10:00 am

  I have only ever owned a toyota.. I tes dri=ove every available moni0van.. Toyota was great but I was searching for a less conservative look with a bit of style.. the mon-ment I walked into the showroom I knew I ha found "my" car.... It is a beauty and a lot of car.. secure feeling when driving my children around.... Great design!!!

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  Enjoyed until - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By DChief - October 7 - 10:16 am

  We enjoyed overall. But, we were hit 2 weeks after buying and in shop for months. then got regular maintenance. Went though 5 set of tires, most ever on a vehicle. Now at 152,000, the transmission can not be repaired. Have to replace, itll cost me 3,3000 and AC is not as cool as it used to be. Nissan service has no interest in helping me only stated I need to replace the transmission when I went in for I fluid service. Value is so upside down that trading in is an option. Not happy.

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  Last Quest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By joe siudock - September 8 - 9:53 am

  Bought a 2005 Quest 3.5, last November. Drove it out of the lot and little radles started. Both side doors made numerous little sounds that would come and go. The seats were very comfortable on long trips over 1000 miles. Had to stop every 100 miles. Never buy cloth seats again. Just not up to Nissan quality. When I traded it in there were now sounds coming from the front doors. The dash in the middle needs to be larger and bigger button for the radio. Like the shifter up high really good taste.Great exterior with the modern front end. Need Altima back lights. Interior lighting was great. Drove like a full size car. My 17 year old daughter loved it when she went out with friends

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  Fun but.... - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Ted - August 29 - 6:26 am

  enough power, interior design and material is poor. Fun to drive but materials inside is so poor it gets dirty quick.