Nissan Quest

2006-04-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

The Nissan Quest is a minivan produced by Nissan Motor Corporation since 1993. There have been two generations of this model. The first-generation Quest was a collaboration with Ford, which produced the mechanically identical and cosmetically similar Mercury Villager. The vans debuted at the 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Quest is distinguishable by a grille and headlights that are slightly shorter top to bottom than those on the Villager. Both vehicles were initially powered by the 3.0-liter Nissan VG30E until 1999, when the Quest received 3.3-liter version of the same engine. The Quest received a complete redesign for 2004. The current model is built on the FF-L platform, which it shares with the Altima, Maxima, and Murano. It also shares the award-winning 3.5-liter VQ engine with those cars.

Manufacturer:	Nissan Ford Motor Company (1993-2002)
Production:	1993–present
Predecessor:	Nissan Axxess
Class:	Minivan
Body style:	3-door minivan 4-door minivan
Related:	Mercury Villager Nissan Altima Nissan Maxima Nissan Murano Nissan Teana

First Generation (1993-1998)

The Nissan Quest was a new model made by Nissan to compete in the minivan segment. The Quest was a successor to the Axxess, which was sold in the United States in 1990 only and in Canada from 1990-1995. The Quest was initially powered by Nissan's 3.0 liter VG30E SOHC engine that made 153 horsepower (the engine is a slightly modified one then found on other Nissan vehicles, one of the requirements of Ford was it be modified to become a non-interference engine, thus if the timing belt breaks, there would be no damage to the valves). The Quest was available as GXE or XE models. Because of manufacturing issues, Nissan had an arrangement for Ford to assemble the minivan in North America, and in turn they were allowed to rebadge it and sell it under the Mercury brand as the Villager. This generation of the Quest minivan was built in Avon Lake, Ohio, where the Villager was also built.

An initial complaint was the sometimes annoying motorized shoulder seatbelts. Seating was for 7, with a removable 2-seater bench in the middle, allowing the 3rd row bench of 3 seats to slide up (either folded up for more room or down for passengers) behind the front for more rear cargo room.

1996 saw the introduction of changes to the front and rear facia, as well as headlights and tail lamps.

Second Generation (1999-2002)

For 1999 the Quest got a facelift that gave the exterior a more aerodynamic look. The '99 that the Nissan Quest also got a power boost via the 3.3 liter VG33E SOHC engine, making 170 horsepower and 200 ft·lbf. The XE grade was discontinued and the GXE was move to base model. Two new grades were introduced: the top of the line GLE and the sport model SE.

Nissan imbued the 2001 Quest minivan with a raft of minor improvements. Styling front and rear was updated, along with new alloy wheels debut on all models. The entry-level GXE gained a rear stabilizer bar, while the sporty SE received acceleration-sensitive strut valving and a strut tower brace. New interior gauges and fabrics as well as a 130-watt sound system are standard on SE and GLE. Luxury GLE models also received an in-dash six-CD changer and a wood and leather steering wheel. An optional overhead family entertainment system replaced the former floor-mounted model, though that rather archaic unit can still be specified for SE and GLE Quests equipped with a sunroof. Front seatbelts were given pre-tensioners.

Third Generation (2004-present)

The Quest was redesigned in 2004 whereas the Villager was discontinued in 2002. Production moved to Canton, Mississippi. The current "aggressive" design bears a passing resemblance to major shareholder the Renault Scénic. The Quest is powered by the oft-used 3.5-litre VQ35DE model engine from the Maxima, Altima, and others. In the Quest, it produces 240 horsepower and 242 ft·lbf of torque. The Quest has a flat folding rear bench and the two middle chairs fold nearly flat into the floor. The interior volume is 211.9 cubic feet

The second generation Quest has been both praised and criticized for its styling. The center-mounted instrument panel -- the speedometer and tachometer are in the center of the dash, rather than in front of the driver -- has been especially criticized. Sales of this second generation model have been less than expected, and Nissan is planning to redesign the much-criticized interior for the 2007 model.

Pricing for 2006:

Base MSRP: $24,580
S Special Edition MSRP: $25,880
SL MSRP: $27,480
SE MSRP: $34,080