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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We love ours! - 2004 Nissan Quest
By KB and GB - October 19 - 10:00 amAm on vacation with it and everybody that rides in it . . . says theyre thinking about it for their next buy. So far, its a keeper. Weve had nothing but compliments! I traded my Eldorado for it.... it rides and drives like a comfortable car, only now I have more room for passengers. Its great!
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Watch Doors - 2004 Nissan Quest
By Darcy - October 19 - 10:00 amAutomatic doors were stuck open during cold winter months; happened on two occassions, problem is still unidentified. Electric short on interior dashboard; severe water leak from interior coat hanging feature, still unresolved; loud banging noise when fully turning steering wheel, still unresolved.
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JUST LOVE IT - 2004 Nissan Quest
By BECKY MANEERUT - October 19 - 10:00 amI JUST THINK IT IS A VERY COMFORTABLE SITTING AND DRIVING CAR. LOTS OF ROOM. LOVE THE POWERED DOORS INCLUDING REAR DOOR. DRIVES VERY SMOOTHE. OK ON GAS. HAVENT HAD A FRIEND THAT HASNT LIKED IT YET. IN FACT I HAVE 3 FRIENDS THAT IS THINKING OF GETTING ONE AFTER RIDING IN MINE.
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I hate Quest but not Nissan - 2004 Nissan Quest
By UnluckyOwner - October 19 - 10:00 amFrom day one it rattles. Delearship tried to fix it several times. They were not successful. Lot of Wind noise. I can not hear my radio when driving the vehicle. Very low millage. The seating is not comfortable. Most of all sliding doors will not stop while closing even if there is an object in the way that could be dangerous to the kids,because they are the ones that use the doors to get in/out.we demonstrated the risk to sale person at Nissan Delearship. I did not file case under lemon law. Before some thing happens to my children, I got rid of this vehecle. I traded my vehicle back to dealership for a loss of $3000 and brought 2004 Maxima
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More $$ than I had anticipated - 2005 Nissan Quest
By vampmom - October 19 - 4:43 amThis is the 3rd Nissan I have owned - the 1st one bought brand new. So far, I had to replace tires and brakes at 30,000 miles; drivers side sliding door latch literally fell apart (warranty); engine mounting bolts (!!!) fell out (warranty). One week after the 3-year mfg wty expired, my battery had to be replaced, the rear sonar sensor failed/not able to be reset, and one of the rear wing window closing assembly fell apart. Also, during cold weather, the sliding door cannot be opened. Rear trunk hatch does not latch well. Creaky/clicking sounds from the front end. I am grateful I bought the extended warranty - looks like it will be used a lot. When kids are big, Im buying another Sentra.
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Quest SE - 2004 Nissan Quest
By manudargan - September 28 - 10:00 amPicked up my Quest couple of weeks ago and I am happy to say that it was worth waiting for. We saw the pictures of the Quest concept last year and decided to wait. We did not like what was being offered by Toyota and Honda. Both Sienna and Odyssey are reliable and proven vehicles but there is no style. Nissan Quest on the other hand has an engine that has won Motor Trends 10 best engines 9 years in a row PLUS it has the looks. The acceleration of the vehicle is quick and powerful. Whoever has their doubts about this van, do yourself a favor and go test drive one...it will change you mind about minivans.
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Great buy - 2004 Nissan Quest
By EJ - September 26 - 10:00 amThe real test of a choice is if you would do it again. If I could do it all over, I would buy this car again, just at a different dealership. The buying experience was horrible but the car is great! The only thing i dont like about it is that i could not afford the model with dual auto sliding doors.
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LOVE MY QUEST! - 2007 Nissan Quest
By bublesbabe - September 26 - 9:46 amMy husband bought me a 2007 Quest in Blue on New Years Eve. It is a fabulous minivan! I love the power, the design, and the fact that it doesnt look like all the other boring minivans out on the road. I have nothing but good things to say about my Quest and am so happy that my husband traded in my Odyssey. Keep up the good work Nissan!!!
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Wish I did not buy it - 2005 Nissan Quest
By Noel - September 22 - 2:06 pmI bought a new car thinking that that was the smart thing to do. I am so upset about my Quest. At 30,000 I took it into Nissan for the yearly VA inspection. They told me that I neede new breaks and that they were schocked how many miles I had on the car because most of the vans needed then at 20,000. I also needed new tires at 35,000 the van is too heavy of a car for the type that came with the van! That they did not have a milage garentee. I will never buy a NIsann again!!!!
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Comments - 2004 Nissan Quest
By R. B. Privett - September 22 - 2:00 amThis is our first mini-van. We have found the Nissan mini-van to be everything we wanted, lots of room, power responsive, style, and fuel mileage. As seniors, we wanted a vehicle in which we do not have jam everything into a trunk of a car. We chose the middle of the three styles as we felt that the additional cost for the add-ons were not worth it to us, maybe for younger buyers. Remember that this mini-van will require drivers to be more familiar with the length of the van and the short nose when driving, parking and turning.
