Nissan Quest

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Nissan Quest

Manufacturer	Nissan (2004-present) Ford Motor Company (1993-2002)
Production	1993-present
Predecessor	Nissan Axxess Nissan Vanette
Successor	unknown
Class	Minivan
Layout	FF layout

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 marketed a rebadged variant as the Mercury Villager. The vans debuted at the 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

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, while the Villager was discontinued and replaced with the Freestar-based Mercury Monterey. 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.

History

First generation (1993-1998)

First generation

Also called	Mercury Villager
Production	1993–1998
Assembly	Tokyo, Japan[citation needed]
Body style(s)	3-door minivan
Platform	Ford VX54 platform (1993-2002)
Engine(s)	3.0 L VG30E V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	112.2 in (2850 mm)
Length	189.9 in (4823 mm)
Width	73.7 in (1872 mm)
Height	67.5 in (1715 mm) (Cargo) 65.6 in (1666 mm) (1993-95 XE) 68 in (1727 mm) (GXE & 1996-98 XE)
Fuel capacity	20.0 US gallons (75.7 L; 16.7 imp gal)

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 and 182 ft·lb. Ford required that Nissan make some design changes to the VG30E before they would agree to use it in the Villager and Quest. One of the requirements from Ford was that the engine was to be modified to become a non-interference or free-running engine. (Thus if the timing belt breaks, there would be no damage to the valves). Other changes included the addition of an oil level sensor and relocating the oil filter assembly for better access. The Quest was available as XE or GXE 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 Tokyo, Japan^{[citation needed]}, The Villager was built in Avon Lake, Ohio. The van shared the modified version of the VG30E from the U11, and early J30 Maximas, as well as the 4-speed automatic transmission from the Maxima.

The Quest is distinguishable from the Mercury Villager by a grille and headlights that are slightly shorter top to bottom than those on the Villager.

1996-1998 Nissan Quest

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. 1994 the first year for the driver's side airbag, with a passenger airbag added in 1996. That year saw the introduction of changes to the front and rear fascias, as well as headlights and tail lamps and the elimination of the motorized shoulder belts.

Second generation (1999-2002)

Second generation

Also called	Mercury Villager
Production	1999–2002
Assembly	Avon Lake, Ohio
Body style(s)	4-door minivan
Platform	Ford VX54 platform (1993-2002)
Engine(s)	3.3 L VG33E V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	112.2 in (2850 mm)
Length	194.6 in (4943 mm) (2001-02) 194.8 in (4948 mm) (1999-2000)
Width	74.9 in (1902 mm)
Height	64.2 in (1631 mm) 67.3 in (1709 mm)
Fuel capacity	20.0 US gallons (75.7 L; 16.7 imp gal)

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 171 hp (128 kW) and 200 lb·ft (270 N·m) 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. This Nissan Quest model became the first Nissan minivan with 4 doors since the 1995 Nissan Axxess.

2001-2002 Nissan Quest

The 2001 Quest received various 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 was not sold in Canada. The Quest would not return to Canada until the third generation model arrived in 2004.

By the end of this generation, both Honda and Toyota marketed solely long-wheelbase minivans. No Quest models were marketed for the 2003 model year.

Third generation (2004-present)

Third generation

Production	2004-present
Assembly	Canton, Mississippi
Body style(s)	4-door minivan
Platform	Nissan FF-L platform
Engine(s)	3.5 L VQ35DE V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	124.0 in (3150 mm)
Length	204.1 in (5184 mm)
Width	77.6 in (1971 mm)
Height	70.0 in (1778 mm) (2004-06) 71.9 in (1826 mm) (2007-present)
Fuel capacity	20.1 US gallons (76.1 L; 16.7 imp gal)
Related	Nissan Altima Nissan Maxima Nissan Murano Nissan Teana

After the 2002 discontinuation of the Mercury Villager, the third generation Quest was redesigned for the 2004 model year using the previous-generation Nissan Altima and Nissan Maxima platform in a package slightly longer than the Chrysler long-wheelbase minivans. Production moved to Canton, Mississippi.

The Quest is powered by the oft-used 3.5 L VQ35DE engine from the Maxima, Altima, and others. In the Quest, it produces 240 hp (179 kW) and 242 lb·ft (328 N·m) 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 features an unusual moonroof glass arrangement, and positions for 2 DVD screens. Nissan redesigned the front grille and the dashboard for the 2007 model.

Price Pricing for 2009:

• Base MSRP: $25,950
• S Special Edition MSRP: $26,650
• SL MSRP: $30,550
• SE MSRP: $35,650

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 - 29,098

Fourth generation (R42H)

A fourth generation Quest will be built in Japan (or more specifically; the Shatai plant) for 2010. The platform will be shared with the next generation Nissan Elgrand[1]

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nissan Quest

• Nissan USA Quest site
• AutomobileMagazine-2005 Nissan Quest (review)
• QuestDriver Forum Community