Best Used Nissan Minivan - Quest

Sometimes when smaller car companies feel the need to expand their vehicle lineups, they turn to partnerships with larger automotive entities in order to help them break into a new market. Arrangements of this type usually involve the smaller partner offering up their expertise in a particular segment of automobile design, such as engine or transmission development, in return for a portion of the giant’s manufacturing might. While these strange bedfellows may not always endure, the engineering advances that arise from this type of corporate cooperation can often have far-ranging benefits for both parties.

Such was the case when Nissan decided to bring their first real minivan to market in 1993. After the rather tepid reception shown to the smaller than average Axxess van, Nissan was eager to gain a competitive edge that would drive families to their showrooms. The Nissan Quest was developed in conjunction with Ford, who intended to brand their version of the vehicle a Mercury and sell it as the Villager. Nissan furnished a solid 3.0 liter V6 engine, an automatic transmission and the van’s overall design, while Ford provided access to their extensive parts bin, lowering development costs for the Japanese company. Ford also took on the task of building the Quest in one of their North American plants, further increasing the savings for Nissan.

Both the Quest and the Villager were unique in the van market of the mid-1990’s, and they were lauded for their driving dynamics and comfortable, ergonomically designed interiors. However, by the end of the decade it was clear that the platform had become too small to remain competitive with other popular vans on the market, and the Quest was re-designed in order to take advantage of an extended wheelbase van. Ford and Nissan amicably ended their partnership, and though the Villager faded quietly from the scene, the Quest would continue on strong in third generation form.

Nissan learned a great many things while at the knee of Ford during their minivan’s formative years, and this means that buyers looking for a used minivan are well served by the most recent edition of the Quest. Longer and larger than before, the Quest still manages to maintain many of the characteristics that made it a critical darling when it was first released. This article examines the most recent 2004 – 2007 edition of the Quest, and discusses its styling, its excellent drivetrain and the value it presents to anyone in the market for a used minivan.

2004 – 2007 Nissan Quest

Nissan is a company which has had some success in achieving a uniformity of design across their entire product lineup. While some automakers attempt to force this issue with grafted on details like standard grilles, badges or headlights, Nissan has always managed to make their vehicles appear as though they have grown organically out of the same DNA. When selling vehicles which range from SUV’s to sports coupes, this is a definite accomplishment. The 2004 – 2007 Nissan Quest minivan is a great example of Nissan’s efforts in this area: a vehicle which actually breaks the wind-swept mold that has reduced many van designs to cookie-cutter shapes.

The 2004 – 2007 Nissan Quest is powered by a 3.5 liter V6 that produces a confident 240 horsepower and 242 lb-ft of torque. When shifted through the vehicle’s 5-speed automatic, the Quest’s smooth power delivery makes it much more engaging to drive than competing vans from Ford or Chrysler. The van’s handling is of course biased more for comfort than performance, but the Quest is reasonably surefooted while cornering and never feels unstable or top-heavy. Electronic stability control and traction control help to reinforce the feeling of calm and safety that comes with piloting this capable minivan.

On the inside, the Quest is best described as cavernous. A glass roof option is available for the rear section of the van, making it feel even more open and spacious than it already is. The van can be equipped with leather seats, a DVD entertainment system and other luxury features such as automatic dual climate control and captain’s chairs for second row passengers. The vehicle’s interior styling also marches to the beat of a slightly different drummer when it comes to overall look and feel, making it appealing to those tired of the endless procession of competent but uninteresting minivan designs.

The 2004 – 2007 Nissan Quest provides used minivan buyers with the option of stepping outside what they would normally expect from a vehicle in this class, and offers a unique take on the traditional minivan concept.