Nissan Quest Third Generation: Why It Was Overlooked in the U.S. Market

This minivan stood out from the competition, though its strengths weren’t immediately appreciated. Let’s take a closer look at what made it different.

When the third-generation Nissan Quest hit the market, it immediately drew attention with its unconventional styling. At a time when most minivans aimed to be as practical and invisible as possible, the Quest stood apart with bold design choices and out-of-the-box solutions. Nissan clearly wanted to break away from the standard formula and offer buyers something fresh and original.

Inside, the Quest was just as surprising. Instead of the bland cabins typical of most minivans, it featured interesting materials and an unusual layout. The instrument cluster, for example, was positioned in the center rather than directly in front of the driver — a detail that sparked debate among enthusiasts. The cabin was spacious, and its flexible seating made it easy to adapt the interior for different needs. Families could use it for long road trips or hauling bulky cargo.

Yet despite these advantages, car shoppers hesitated. Many saw the Quest as too odd, straying too far from what a family vehicle “should” be. Against more conservative rivals, it faded into the background. Its originality went underappreciated, and sales fell short of Nissan’s expectations.

Looking back today, it’s clear the third-generation Quest was ahead of its time. Its bold design and unconventional solutions might resonate with today’s buyers, who value individuality and aren’t afraid to stand out. But in the early 2000s, the market wasn’t ready. Now, the Quest is remembered as one of the most interesting and underrated minivans in its class.

Background:

The second-generation Nissan Quest, introduced in 1999, had been heavily redesigned. Its styling was created by Nissan Design America in California. In 2000, Car and Driver tested the Quest in a minivan comparison, where it placed fifth.

In August 2000, the Quest received a mild facelift with revised front and rear styling and updated trim options. The refreshed model was slightly longer than before. Sales in 2001 reached 29,232 units — down 32% from the year prior. Ford continued selling its version of the van under the Mercury Villager name.

Work on the third-generation Quest began as early as 1999. But by 2000, Ford and Nissan ended their joint venture. Nissan continued development on its own, while the Mercury Villager was discontinued and replaced with another model.

The design, created by Alfonso Albaisa, was ready in 2000, and by 2002 Nissan unveiled the Quest V42 concept at the North American International Auto Show. A year later, the production version debuted at the same show. Built on the Nissan FF-L platform, production shifted to the company’s new Canton, Mississippi plant, beginning May 27, 2003.

The new van came with a new engine: the 3.5-liter VQ35DE V6 from the Nissan Maxima, rated at 240 horsepower and 242 lb-ft of torque. It could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds. For the 2007 model year, the Quest received minor updates, including a revised grille and redesigned instrument panel. The van also sat slightly taller. Production ended on September 7, 2010.