5
0
Minivan; Built in USA
  • 3-door van
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,300 – $2,800*


1996 Nissan Quest XE


1995 Nissan Quest GXE


1993 Nissan Quest


1993 Nissan Quest interior


1993 Nissan Quest interior

Pros:
  • Antilock brakes (optional)
  • Passenger room
  • Steering/handling
Cons:
  • Acceleration (with load)
  • Control layout
  • Wind noise

Compared with other minivans, the Quest has less interior room. It also lacks many of the standard features found on its rivals. Nevertheless, it’s a good choice if you need more than a midsize station wagon but don’t need the interior space provided in one of the bigger minivans.

Overview

Identical to the Mercury Villager except for minor styling details and varying levels of standard equipment, Nissan’s front-drive minivan was its first since its slow-selling midengine, rear-drive model of the late ’80s. Two models were initially available–the base XE and the premium GXE. The XE came with either seating for five or seven passengers, and the GXE was available only with seating for seven. Both are propelled by Nissan’s 151-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6, coupled to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel antilock brakes were standard.

Yearly Updates

1994 Quest
For its sophomore season, the Quest gets a new driver-side airbag. But even with the airbag, motorized belts are retained. Antilock brakes, which were optional on both the XE and GXE versions become standard on the GXE.
1995 Quest
The Quest enters 1995 with few changes. The most significant is that second-row “captain’s chairs” are now standard for the upper-level GXE model.
1996 Quest
For 1996 the Quest undergoes the most extensive changes since its introduction. Chief among the changes are a new passenger-side bag, which is an integral part of the Quest’s all-new instrument panel. The new dashboard has a more ergonomic wraparound look with easier access to all major controls. A styling facelift results in new grille, front and rear bumper fascias, side moldings, taillights, and headlamps.
1997 Quest
Only minor equipment changes are made for 1997. The most noticeable is the availability of captain’s chairs for the base Quest XE model.
1998 Quest
Quest got few changes in the final year of its current design. A restyled model arrived for 1999.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

A 3.0-liter V6 and a 4-speed automatic transmission serve as the only powertrain choice. It provides 151 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 174 pound-feet of torque at 4400 rpm.

ohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/181
Engine HP 151
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 174
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 17/23

 19.7

Road Test

Quest is a carlike, luxury-oriented people mover that stresses comfort over hauling. As a result, the Quest has a low step-in height that allows easy entry and exit. It also provides a very comfortable driving position, good visibility, and an ample supply of cupholders and cubbies.

Although the 3.0-liter engine is adequate, it can’t quite match the muscle provided by the larger V6s in front-drive minivans from Ford, GM, and Chrysler. When loaded, maneuvers such as merging onto freeways or passing slower traffic cannot be accomplished with quite the same ease. But, compared with other minivans, body lean is quite modest. Actually, Quest handles with more poise than some regular passenger cars. Ride quality is commendable, too–absorbent, yet stable and comfortable at highway speeds. The suspension is firm enough to minimize bouncing on wavy roads, and it soaks up most bumps without breaking a sweat. On the negative side, wind and road noise are excessive at highway speeds.

Front head room and leg room are both quite good, but only adequate for the middle- and rear-seat passengers. Stereo and climate controls are low on the dashboard and a long reach, hampered by small buttons. With all seats in their normal positions, the rear cargo area is tight. Trying to improve the Quest’s hauling capacity requires removing the truly cumbersome center seats.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1995 Nissan Quest XE

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 4
40%
Fuel Economy - 4
40%
Ride Quality - 5
50%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 5
50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 4
40%
Room/Comfort Front - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 8
80%

Other

Value - 4
40%

Total: 48

Specifications

3-door van
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
112.2 189.9 73.4 66.0
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
126.4 20.0 7
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.4 39.7 39.9 34.8
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1998 Quest 3-door van

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 3
60%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 64
Injury 102
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Automatic transmission
Description: Burnt transmission fluid and no reverse gear may signal a defective rear control valve and low/reverse brake. (1993-94)
Automatic transmission
Description: If the transmission does not shift properly until warmed up, make sure it is filled only with Nissanmatic “C” transmission fluid. (All)
Coolant leak
Description: Coolant may leak from the front of the cylinder head, which may appear to be a head gasket, but comes from a threaded plug in the front of the head. (1993-95)
Doors
Description: A rattle in either of the front doors may be caused by the door-guard-beam spot welds breaking loose. (1993-94)
Heater core
Description: Leaking heater cores require a restrictor in the heater inlet hose. (1993-98)
Suspension noise
Description: A new stabilizer bar and bushings are needed if there is a crunching or scraping noise from the front end. (1993-95)
Tail/brake lights
Description: If the tail/brake lights work intermittently, the socket may be loose from the plastic connector. (1993-95)
Check-engine light
Description: Clogged fuel injectors may cause hesitation and check engine light. (1997-98)

Recall History

1993
Description: Master cylinder on some vans was improperly assembled or damaged during assembly, which can result in loss of braking at two wheels, causing increased pedal travel and effort and increased stopping distance.
1993
Description: One or both bolts securing automatic seatbelt tracks to B-pillars were not adequately tightened on some vans, increasing risk of injury in collision or sudden maneuver.
1993
Description: Fuel-filler hoses may have been cut prior to installation by knife used to open shipping box; fuel leakage could result, leading to fire if exposed to ignition source.
1993
Description: Leaves and other foreign matter can enter through cowl panel air intake during operation of front heater and/or air conditioner, resulting in build-up in the plenum that can lead to noise, odors, or even a vehicle fire.
1993-98
Description: Cracks have developed in the vent hose, allowing a fuel leak.
1995 with sliding third-row bench seats
Description: Cable that connects seat-adjustment level to latch might be pinched in roller assembly, preventing latch on left side from fully engaging seat rail.
1995
Description: Rear lamp socket may not illuminate, resulting in malfunction of stoplamp or rear running lamps.
1996
Description: Power windows can be closed after ignition key is turned to “off” position and right front door is opened.
1997
Description: Some batteries have a defective negative post that can cause acid leakage and corrosion.
1997-98
Description: Fuel in the tank can expand into the vent hose and leak due to cracks in the hose.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 23, 2014.
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