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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  Nissan Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Bilall - June 5 - 2:00 am

  The best van ever made.i like it better than the sienna and the award winning town and country.

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  Best Damn Car Ever! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Bartman116 - June 5 - 2:00 am

  I traded my Range Rover in for this minivan because my family got larger. I have never had so much fun driving a car like this before. It has so many inovative features, along with styling and comfort, that it far surpasses any luxury car out there on the market. From coolest things like the sky roof and the dual dvd screens, to the drain system in the doors that lead out of the vehical if you spill your drink, this car has just about everything to make it the perfect car on the market today. Definitly take a look at this minivan if your in the market for a minivan or an SUV.

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  Pretty Good....I guess - 1999 Nissan Quest
  By #1 mom - June 4 - 10:00 am

  With only 30,000 miles on it, Ive had too many problems. One day all the electrical items went out. We couldnt roll up the windows, move the seats or do anything electrical. We could just drive the car. Fron driver wheel squeeks when we turn. On the positive side, its interior is the roomiest on the market. We looked at the Honda Odyssey, the Toyota Sienna and the Mazda van(Cant remember the name) and the Quest was much larger inside. Ive had no engine problems yet (knock on wood) and the abundance of extras is nice. Overall its a good product, I just think we got a lemon as far as the electrical is concerned.

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  Coolest mom in town! - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Dsimcox - June 3 - 7:56 am

  I love the quest, have had it since last June and have put 18000 miles on it so far. Only problems have been in twice with the rattling sliding door. We are leaving for a 1100 mile trip to Florida and my 3 kids cant wait. It is a really comfortable traveling car, cant say enough!

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  Assessment - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Paul Holloway - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Superb handling and riding quality, solid as a Mossler Safe! Suggestion: #1 The size of the fuel, temperature gage, and odometer needs to be increased. Could be placed to the right of the display window. I strongly believe that the display screen shoud be gray with black letter presentation, difficult to read during daylight. #2 The Manual instructions for tuning the radio is poorly written, particularly the A,B,& C, portion, confusing! HELP!! Otherwise, a fantabulous

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  Brakes issues, poor interior quality - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By MacG - May 26 - 3:40 pm

  My Q needed a new fuel pump early in its life, which was covered under warranty. Also, front brakes were troublesome, a lot of vibration, several repairs, none covered by Nissan dealer despite known brake issues. No other problems with it mechanically. I loved the center gauges, a lot of people didnt, so that was changed in later models. Drivers seat back fabric wore out just after the warranty on it was up, ended up with two holes! The drivers seat back also seemed to get a bit wobbly, or loose. 3rd row seat was not easy to retrieve from stowed position. I think that many women would not have the strength for it - as a big guy I had to fight it.

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  not what i expected - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By zzollwalk - May 20 - 10:00 am

  The design was good..engineering not so good. Transimission problems still persists even after replacement. Nissan does not offer a solution that would make us whole again after buying this vehicle. We are still going thru the replacing this vehicle process under the lemon law. I has taken an attorney and lots of phone calls to get something out of Nissan. They know and have admitted to having a problem with this vehicle but do not want the vehicle back. They are reluctant to work with us. FYI..tell them the news media will be involved..that seemed to help them speed replacement up..

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  Under-rated by Automotive "Journalists" - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Garandman - May 20 - 3:23 am

  We now have over 10,000 miles on an 05 Quest SE used as a company car. We found most auto writer reviews just plain wrong. Side doors and back are bigger than competitors. Ride, handling, and feeling of safety in bad weather is very impressive. The 3.5L engine is great, and we have logged several tanks of fuel over 26mpg - the EPA highway figure! average over first 6,000 miles including break-in and Winter driving was 22.8. A/C works very effectively. Contrary to reviews, second row seats do fold down with headrests in place. The mid-level sound system is good. Four different drivers operate this vehicle regularly and report that the center-mounted speedo takes 15 minutes to get used to.

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  Love It - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Tom - May 9 - 3:00 pm

  Traded my 2003 Lexus RX300 as I needed more room and got all of that PLUS so many other nice features to boot. Yes, Lexus has better build quality but Nissan Quest has as good of a highway ride if not better, much better performance, better gas mileage as I get 22 locally and 25 highway with AC on and 26.5+ with AC off. It took a while to get accustomed to center pod but once you drive it at night, you will love it as its easier to see at night with the pod in the center. Some want bigger gas gauge but no problem with me. Rtired and live in FL now, we often take five or six out. Plenty of room for all including golf clubs. Everything works and like it better then my 2001 Odyssey.

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  Graet Car - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By shimshy - May 6 - 10:00 am

  I realy enjoy driving this mini van