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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  I Love My Quest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By WIFENO1 - January 6 - 1:36 pm

  It did take me a short while to get used to driving this very large van after seven years in a Caravan Sport. But after a few weeks I was really loving it - especially playing with all the amenities. And the steering is excellent! There was one problem - the side passenger doors made noises. I cant say enough for Foothill Nisson (where I go for service) who found a recall (first year of the model) and carefully fixed it. To make up for the inconvenience, Nissan added two years to the warantee which I thought was really great!!

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  Great Van for the dollar - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By Bob Zabinski - January 3 - 10:00 am

  My 2000 Quest is used for going to and from work, vacations and hauling musical equipment. This van has served me well with absolutely nothing breaking on the thing. It has never seen a repair shop and, after 52ooo miles, still runs great. There are no rattles, squeeks or wind noises. It has never been the most quiet vehicle Ive ever owned but since I am the primary driver, I dont really mind.

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  Wonderful with Navigation - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By ruditoot - December 31 - 12:53 pm

  Traded my 2002 quest in and found this one from ABC Nissan Fleet department, Worked out my trade with Nathion, It was loaded with everyting but a sink. I wanted a navigation system but worked out a deal. Went to California and a Grand nice was driveing when someone local said turn here. { No way that gal not been wrong yet and I am going where she says } right to the door. To Oklahoma and averaged 24 mpg, Back to AZ 23.8 All I have done is routine service. Comertable to drive, No back pain like my SUV. Easy to drive and I love it. Power and accelaration is good and smoth. YOu should love it if you get one. Thanks

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  Wonderful with Navigation - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By ruditoot - December 31 - 12:20 pm

  Traded my 2002 quest in and found this one from ABC Nissan Fleet department, Worked out my trade with Nathion, It was loaded with everyting but a sink. I wanted a navigation system but worked out a deal. Went to California and a Grand nice was driveing when someone local said turn here. { No way that gal not been wrong yet and I am going where she says } right to the door. To Oklahoma and averaged 24 mpg, Back to AZ 23.8 All I have done is routine service. Comertable to drive, No back pain like my SUV. Easy to drive and I love it. Power and accelaration is good and smoth. YOu should love it if you get one. Thanks

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  No Problems - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By dlkoenig - December 30 - 11:40 pm

  After over one year of driving the Nissan Quest we are completely satisfied with this vehicle. It meets all of our needs perfectly. We have four children from 2 to 14 years of age and it hauls us around with lots of room. It is easy to care for and clean. The kids love and we love it even more. It has so many practical features, is well thought out and designed. From the back up sonar to the power rear hatch to the folding seats that interchange easily it is the best . Best of all we have had no problems with this vehicle. Thanks Nissan for a great Miniivan.

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  Terrific van for travel! - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Laurie Fujimoto - December 19 - 11:40 am

  Weve had our Quest for just about 1 year now, and are approaching 30,000 miles. Its a super in heavy rain - great wiper design, windshield is sloped better too, compared to Villager for driving on highways passing trucks in the rain. Love the interior room, storage for chargers, ipods, etc. Automated back lift gate is great...even had good Nissan service when we locked keys in car while on road. Nissan Service department in St. Charles, IL is open late weeknights and open on Saturdays...couldnt be happier with the customer service hours and staff! Were road warriors for tennis travel...wouldnt switch for any other van and Ive driven vans for 12 years now.

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  Road champ - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By brooksfam08 - December 18 - 1:26 pm

  I traded in my 2000 Quest SE which we loved dearly. I thought it would be hard to see it go but na, I dont look back anymore because this performance and ride surpasses the old. Our 2000 model was fully loaded but this is definitely a upgrade. This is our 3rd car and it is hard to stay out of it. I got a unbeatable deal which made it very affordable which Honda didnt offer. For the options I have in the Quest SE, the only honda model that could compare is the Touring but the price was ridiculously much higher. Nissan Delivers.

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  A whole new Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By spl311 - December 17 - 2:00 am

  We traded in our 1999 Nissan Quest GLE for a 2004 Quest SL. We gave up a few features but got what we wanted - a couple of power doors (would be nice if drivers side was power too, but didnt want to pay for SE), DVD, gobs more power, more room, and absolutely NO Ford components! Things started rattling and a few things broke on the old Quest, but Im a Nissan guy going way back and love the exterior style compared to the aging Odyssey, our other serious contender for replacement van.

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  Best minivan for the money - 2011 Nissan Quest
  By alan1020 - December 13 - 12:46 am

  First off let me explain that I am a car enthusiast. I read review after review weighing the pros and cons of vehicles before I even consider purchasing one. When the time came for my wife and I to choose a new van (at the time we had an 07 Odyssey) I wanted to evaluate all the 2011 models. After all my analysis this is the conclusion I came to, the 2011 Nissan Quest. In comparing the Quest, we looked at all the other vans out on the market. Odyssey has an awesome interior but the exterior is insanely ugly. Plus we hadnt been pleased with the transmission on our 07. Toyota Sienna was too cheap looking inside and out and the new Dodges exterior is too bland as well.

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  A Great Ride - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By Fran Hill - December 12 - 2:46 am

  I purchased my new 07 Quest on a Thursday and left on Friday for a 4,600 mile trip with 2 kids 6 and 7. The built in DVD player is great, so are the wireless headphones! The ride is smooth and overall my Quest is very comfortable! I love the extra options in the minivan that I did not have with my Tahoe and I really like the increased gas mileage!