Nissan Quest Review

2008 Nissan Quest 3.5 SL Minivan Shown

With the red hot minivan segment already nearly a decade old, Nissan arrived late to the party when it brought out its Quest in the early '90s. A successor to the Axxess (a people mover that was more of a small, tall wagon than a true minivan in terms of passenger and cargo capacity), the Nissan Quest didn't break any new ground as it followed the established minivan formula of V6 power, front-wheel drive and seven-passenger capacity. The first two generations of the Quest were rather anonymous and subpar, and a second-generation (1999) Quest finished last in an Edmunds minivan comparison test.

The third-generation Nissan Quest made a huge leap ahead in terms of styling, performance and respect from automotive critics. A low nose, an upwardly curving beltline and a grille whose insert texture was reminiscent of a '58 Buick provides a distinctive (if not controversial) look. Spirited performance comes by way of Nissan's powerful 3.5-liter V6. But the cabin was criticized for its oddball design (which placed the instruments in the center and many too-similar buttons on a large pillar-style center stack), flat seats, abundance of hard plastic and inconsistent build quality. Thankfully, a recent midcycle refresh brought about significant interior improvement via a redesigned dash and center stack, and upgraded materials.

In general, though, the Nissan Quest remains a mid-pack choice for a minivan. It's never been able to match top Japanese vans like the Odyssey and Sienna in terms of quality, refinement or reputation for reliability. The first- and second-generation vans are mediocre picks on the used car market, while the current Quest (particularly '07 and later models) is good enough to warrant consideration.

Current Nissan Quest

The current Nissan Quest debuted in 2004, shaking the minivan world up with its avant-garde body styling, unique cabin design and a marketing campaign that did its best to rid young mothers of the mundane 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. A refresh for 2007 brought a more conventional and user-friendly dash and center stack layout.

The Quest was initially available in S, midlevel SL and top-of-the-line SE trims. A lower-priced base model joined the lineup the following year, slotted underneath the S. One thing to keep in mind is that all trim levels of the Quest require you to purchase an optional seating package with second-row captains' chairs and a third-row, flat-folding bench seat -- the van technically comes with no rear seats. Otherwise, the lower-level models are respectably equipped, though it's worth looking at the SL and SE as they provide additional desirable minivan features. In particular, the Quest SE comes with the Sky View window system, which places fixed skylights over the rear seating area and gives the interior a roomier, airier feel. Three-row side curtain airbags are standard across the board, but not all models come with front-seat side airbags and stability control -- a misstep in the minivan segment where safety features are paramount.

The Nissan Quest's chief strengths lie in its performance and handling. With Nissan's superb 3.5-liter V6 under the hood providing plenty of punch (initially rated at 240 horsepower and then changed to 235 hp due to a new rating system) the Quest feels light on its feet. Two automatic transmissions were offered initially – a four-speed automatic on base and S trims and a five-speed automatic on the SL and SE versions. For 2007, all Quests were fitted with the sharper-shifting five-speed unit.

Though the minivan class leaders offer a more luxurious interior ambience, the current Quest has more than a few things in its favor. With its peppy acceleration, composed (even entertaining) handling and roomy cabin, the current Quest is a solid pick for families looking for a minivan that breaks from the mainstream. And although we'd like to see Nissan improve the breadth of the van's safety features, there's no arguing with the Quest's top safety scores in NHTSA and IIHS crash tests.

Past Nissan Quest models

The second generation of the Nissan Quest bowed 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. However, the van's questionable ergonomics, iffy build quality and poor crash test scores 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.

It might be helpful during the shopping process to know that for both the first- and second-generation Quests, Mercury sold a nearly identical model called the Villager. With either variant, however, minivan shoppers are still advised to consider better-ranking minivans first. Among minivans of this era, the first-generation Toyota Sienna (1998-2003) and second-generation Honda Odyssey (1999-2004) are better bets for used-car shoppers.

SELECT A SPECIFIC NISSAN QUEST MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.