Nissan Quest Totally Explained

Everything about The Nissan Quest totally explained

The Nissan Quest is a minivan produced by Nissan since 1993. There have been three 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 L Nissan VG30E V6 until 1999, when the Quest received the 3.3 L version of the same engine. The Quest was completely redesigned 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 L VQ engine with those cars.

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. It also replaced the rear-wheel drive Vanette, also discontinued in 1990. The Quest was initially powered by Nissan's 3.0 L VG30E SOHC engine that made 151 hp (the engine is a slightly modified version of that found in 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. Many of the interior parts, including the radio, heater controls and power windows controls were adapted from Ford, and were similar to the Ford Aerostar. This generation of the Quest minivan was built in Avon Lake, Ohio, where the Villager was also built. The van shares a modified version of the VG30E from the U11, and early J30 Maximas, as well as the automatic transmission from the Maxima. 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 third 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 fascias, as well as headlights and tail lamps.

Second generation (1999-2002)

For 1999, the Quest was redesigned, and it gave the exterior a more aerodynamic look, and the driver's side sliding door. The Quest also got a power boost via the 3.3 L VG33E SOHC engine, making and of torque. The XE trim was discontinued and the GXE was moved as the base model. Two new trim levels were also introduced: the top of the line GLE and the sport model SE.
Nissan imbued the 2001 Quest with a raft of minor improvements. Styling front and rear was updated, along with new alloy wheels on all models. The entry-level GXE gained a rear stabilizer bar, while the SE received acceleration-sensitive strut valving and a strut tower brace. New interior gauges and fabrics as well as a 130-watt sound system were standard on SE and GLE. Luxury GLE models also received an in-dash six-CD changer and a wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel. An optional overhead family entertainment system replaced the former floor-mounted model, though it could still be specified for SEs and GLEs equipped with a sunroof. Front seatbelts were given pretensioners. The 2001 Quest was also slightly longer, with more cargo space than the previous generation. The 2002 Nissan Quest wasn't sold in Canada. The Quest wouldn't return to Canada until the third generation model arrived in 2004.
By the end of this generation, both Honda and Toyota had switched to the size of long-wheelbase Chrysler minivans, and the Quest was becoming too small for the American market. There was no Quest for the 2003 model year.

Third generation (2004-present)

The third generation Quest was redesigned in 2004 whereas the Villager was discontinued in 2002, and the current Quest is based on the Nissan Maxima, sharing many aesthetic exterior and interior designs. Production moved to Canton, Mississippi. In size, this generation was made slightly longer than the class-defining Chrysler long-wheelbase minivans. The Quest is powered by the oft-used 3.5 L VQ35DE engine from the Maxima, Altima, and others. In the Quest, it produces and 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 ft³.
The third generation Quest has been both praised and criticized for its styling. The original center-mounted instrument panel, which drew some buyers in and turned others away (the speedometer and tachometer were in the center of the dash, rather than in front of the driver) had been especially criticized. It features an unusual moonroof glass arrangement, and positions for 2 DVD screens rather than the usual one. Sales of this third generation model have been less than expected, and Nissan redesigned the front grille and the much-criticized dashboard for the 2007 model.

Price

Pricing for 2006:

Base MSRP: $24,150
S Special Edition MSRP: $25,450
SL MSRP: $27,050
SE MSRP: $33,650

Sale Figures

2003 - 23,170 (From remaining 2002 & 2004 model early sales)
   2004 - 46,430
   2005 - 40,357
   2006 - 31,905
   2007 - 28,590
   2008 - 3,098 (as of May 1,2008

Fourth generation (2009-future)

The Quest will be redesigned for the 2009 model year. Production will move to Japan, despite slow sales of the minivan in the United States. (External Link

). Quest sales were up for the 1st quarter in 2007 but have since been falling slightly short of '06 sales.
The fourth generation may even be an export USDM version of the Nissan Elgrand (External Link

), which will probably also be redesigned, and will take styling cues from the Forum concept car that was shown during the 2008 North American International Auto Show.

Further Information

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