Review: 2002 NISSAN QUEST SE

By Matt/Bob Hagin
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price $ 24,399
Price As Tested $ 26,605
Engine Type SOHC 12v 3.3 Liter V6 w/SMFI*
Engine Size 200 cid/3275 cc
Horsepower 170 @ 4800 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 200 @ 2800 RPM
Wheelbase/Width/Length 112.2"/74.9"/194.8"
Transmission Four-speed automatic
Curb Weight 3983 pounds
Fuel Capacity 20.0 gallons
Tires (F/R) P225/60R16
Brakes (F/R) Disc (ABS)/drum (ABS)
Drive Train Front-engine/front-wheel-drive
Vehicle Type Seven-passenger/five-door
Domestic Content 60 percent
Coefficient of Drag (Cd.) 0.36
PERFORMANCE
EPA Economy, miles per gallon
city/highway/average 17/24/22
0-60 MPH 10.5 seconds
Maximum cargo capacity 135.6 (in cu-ft)
Maximum towing capacity 3,500 pounds
* Sequential multi-point fuel injection
Minivans like the new Nissan Quest are designed for growing
families with lots of kids says Matt Hagin. Bob Hagin says they're
handy for "mature" people too, especially when their own kids bring the
grandchildren around to visit.
BOB - Nissan got into the minivan market a little late when it
showed up in '93 with its Quest and from the beginning it never really
got off the ground. That was in the bad old days before Renault bought
into the company and put the dynamic Carlos Ghosen in as head man. He's
already turned the company around and has exceed his three-year
resurrection target.
MATT - Too bad he didn't arrive in time to do a marketing number
on the Quest. It's really a neat little people-hauler and it got better
in '99 when the company gave it a complete redesign. This year it's
available in three degrees of trim, the middle-of-the-pack being our SE
version but the top-seeded GXE has all the prerequisite bells and
whistles. The standard sound system isn't much to write home about, but
there are optional systems that are more appealing to music
connoisseurs. The bottom-of-the-line GLE would be the perfect model for
a growing family that plans to keep their van for a long time and for
whom a low monthly payment is a plus.
BOB - If that growing family includes "assertive" kids like you
guys were when you were little, the buyer better get the optional
second row bench seat. It has integrated child seats and washable
upholstery. Buyers that picture themselves more "sporting" in nature
can go for a Quest in SE trim like our tester. This is the "hot-rod"
version that has an interaction between its acceleration and the
valving in the shock absorber struts. Other "sporting" aspects of the
SE are a set of audio controls on the steering wheel, air conditioning
in back, a standard CD changer and second-row bucket seats. The GLX
model has all this plus leather upholstery, a power driver's seat and
heated seats up front. There's an optional video entertainment system
for back-seat passengers, but it's a pretty expensive item just to keep
the kids happy. You kids entertained yourselves with books and arguing when you were little.
MATT - One of the strong points of the Quest is that the seating
can be changed around to at least 65 different configurations if it has
those bucket seats in the second row. It probably requires a separate
owner's manual to figure them all out, but I guess it's handy if the
owner wants to show off with automotive tricks. Unfortunately, there's
not much pazazz in the 3.3-liter V6 engine. It only puts out 170 horses
which is a little on the light side compared to its competition. It
makes 200 pound-feet of torque, which is good, but it's still a little
short on passing power. I was surprised to find that the solid rear
axle was hung on leaf springs, which is pretty old technology. The
transmission is a four-speed automatic with an overdrive but the fuel
mileage is slightly above average, getting 17 MPG around town and 23 on
the highway. The press kit claims that the Quest has a towing capacity
of around 3500 pounds but it certainly couldn't be done in the fast
lane. At that, the engine has considerably more beans than the '98
version. Until the revamp of '99, Quest only had 150 horsepower which,
as I recall, was hardly enough power to allow it to stay up with
traffic.
BOB - But you have to remember that minivans aren't built for
Stoplight Grand Prix racing, Matt. They're built to transport people, a
lot of them being pretty young. Those multi-positional seats can be
adjusted to hold lots of child seats and the fact that it has lots of
convenience items is a definite plus for use as a family car. Our SE
was easy to drive and the upright front seats provide a good view for
the driver. The turning circle is fairly tight for a front-wheel drive
vehicle, so parallel parking in sedan-sized spaces isn't an exercise in
boat-docking. The GXE has all the bells-and-whistles necessary to make
for pleasant cruising and the only options on it are a power sunroof
and fog lamps, and I'm not sure that the latter items are used very
often. Minivans are handy even for guys my age.
MATT - I've noticed that you keep a couple of child seats in your
own minivan, Dad. They must be for use when Tom and I leave our kids
with you and Mom to babysit.
BOB - Old habits are hard to break.