In the seven years since the
Nissan Quest was unveiled, the state of the art in minivans has evolved to include dual sliding doors, more powerful engines, and slick interchangeable seating. Completely redesigned for 1999 and just mildly updated for the millennium, the Quest now offers all of those features. Yet somehow, in an age of ever-increasing waistlines, the Quest has kept its appealingly slim figure.
Far and away, the Quest's greatest feature is its adjustable seating configurations. By increasing the length nearly five inches, Nissan has made the interior much more usable and flexible - though it's not as roomy as the larger minivans: the long-wheelbase Chryslers, the Ford Windstar or the all new Honda Odyssey.
Though it's longer now, the maneuverability and car-like response of the Quest makes it one of the most pleasing minivans available from a driver's standpoint. A myriad of features inside keep children happy in the back seats and, when fitted with the optional second-row captain's chairs, it's a comfortable ride for a full load of adults.
The Quest is offered in four different flavors - GXE, GLE, SE Cloth and SE Leather. Now standard this year on all Quests are power steering and chrome door handles. And Nissan's video entertainment system, with a larger screen for 2000, is included with every Quest at no cost. Other standard features include air conditioning, power windows, mirrors and locks, cruise control, remote keyless entry, a vehicle security system, a luggage rack, and a rear window wiper/washer.
The Quest GXE's base price is $22,259.
The two Quest SE models have been upgraded as well. Both SE models gets Super Sound and a rear anti-roll bar, as well as auto on-off headlamps. Standard equipment includes larger 16-inch wheels, a suspension tuned for improved handling response, black-on-white gauges, second-row captain's chairs and rear heating and air conditioning controls. The SE Leather model also gets perforations in its leather trim. The SE Cloth goes for $24,399, the SE Leather $26,699.
The luxuriant $26,399 Quest GLE adds a rear stabilizer bar and Super Sound, along with faux wood trim, for the year 2000. The new features complement its standard leather interior trim, power driver and front passenger seats, automatic climate control and a six-disc console-mounted CD changer.
Several option packages are available. The GXE Comfort Plus Package ($899) adds rear air conditioning and controls, leather steering wheel, 15-inch alloy wheels. An SE Convenience Package ($799) offers a power driver seat, a unique adjustable rear parcel shelf and garage door opener. The GLE Popular Package ($500) adds the parcel shelf, rear lift glass, and a CD changer. For the finishing touches, there's an SE Audio Upgrade Package with CD player ($349), and a Sunroof Package ($899).
Nissan's Quest is a fraternal twin of the
Mercury Villager. When both
Ford and
Nissan fell behind in the minivan market in the early 1990s, they teamed up to create a vehicle both could build and sell in the U.S. Since its introduction in 1993, the Quest's platform and its
Nissan Maxima-based powertrain are shared with the Villager.
The first Quest demonstrated Nissan's knack for making any type of vehicle - minivan, SUV or truck - feel more like its sporty sedans. For this second generation (starting with the 1999 model), Nissan adopted features buyers are clamoring for in minivans: more doors, more cupholders, and more versatility.
The most important change is its size. The Quest was always among the smaller minivans, so this time around Nissan added 4.6 inches to the length, and 1.2 inches in width. Although the wheelbase is unchanged, the Quest's interior clearly benefits from the added room, especially in leg room between the benches. Visually, though, the Quest still looks as trim as the last edition.
Once again, the Quest is powered by Nissan's charming 3.3-liter V6 engine. It produces 170 horsepower (up from 151 in the first Quest) without much noise or fuss. The transmission is an electronically controlled four-speed automatic with overdrive. The Quest's body now offers five doors in all -- two hinged front doors for the driver and front passenger, two sliding doors on the sides, and a rear liftgate.
