1996 Nissan Quest Review
Price Estimate: $495 - $786
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Substantial upgrades include dual airbags, integrated child safety seats, side-impact protection meeting 1997 passenger car standards, revamped fabrics, new colors, freshened styling and a cool in-dash six-disc CD changer. The Quest is still in the hunt.
For sale nearby
Vehicle overview
Nissan claims that its Quest is the top-selling import-brand minivan. Actually, they're made in Ohio, in XE and luxury GXE trim, along with the closely related--but not identical--Mercury Villager. This year, Nissan infuses the Quest with several improvements to keep it competitive, including the addition of two important safety items.
Dual airbags replace those goofy motorized seat belts, and buyers can opt for an integrated child safety seat. Other interior refinements include new colors, new fabric styles, more storage space, and backlit switchgear. Outside, Nissan spruces the Quest up with seven new colors, freshened styling, and new wheels. New options include remote keyless entry, an in-dash six-disc CD changer, a semi-automatic climate control system, and an automatic-on headlamp system.
Versatile passenger space is the Quest's stock in trade. With seven-passenger Quest Trac Flexible Seating in an XE model, you can get 20 different combinations. In a GXE with captain's chairs, the total possibilities reach an even two dozen. Second row seats can fold down into a table, or be removed completely. The third-row seat also folds into a table, folds further for more cargo space, or slides forward on integrated tracks--all the way to the driver's seat.
Exceptionally smooth and quiet on the road, the Quest delivers more than adequate acceleration when merging or passing, courtesy of the 151-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 engine. The column-shifted four-speed automatic transmission changes gears neatly, without a hint of harshness, helped by electronic controls. You also get a smooth, comfortable highway ride and undeniably car-like handling--more so than most. Visibility is great, too, from upright but comfortable seating that's tempting for a long trek. Gauges are small, but acceptable, and controls are pleasing to operate.
Air conditioning and a tachometer are standard fare, while the GXE adds antilock braking (including rear disc brakes), a roof rack, and a host of powered conveniences. Distinctive in shape, enjoyable on the road, Quests are solidly assembled and perform admirably. Except for the upright seating position, it's easy to forget that you're inside a minivan, not a plain sedan.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$214/mo for Quest GXE
Quest GXE
vs
$149/mo
Avg. Compact Minivan
See Edmunds pricing data
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Nissan Quest Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Great vehicle
4.75 out of 5 starsBobc284, 02/10/2004
1996 Nissan Quest XE 3dr Minivan
Absolutely the most reliable vehicle
I've ever owned. Over 120,00 original
miles with no major mechanical
problems. Excellent handling and
acceleration for a van, and better than
many cars I've driven
Love my Nissan Quest Minivan
4.63 out of 5 starsHolly Bolinger, 06/29/2005
1996 Nissan Quest GXE 3dr Minivan
I love this vehicle. I have put 56,000+ miles on it since I purchased it approx. 4 years ago and have had no major issues, other than normal maintenance. I feel safe no matter where I go; in-city or on the road. As with any car, though, keepting the oil changed regularly is a must. The Quest doesn't "eat" brakes as a few cars I have previously owned tended to do. One thing that has … happened that I'm not so thrilled about is the automatic antenea has quite working but the radio still works just fine. In the future, I will continue to buy Nissan or foreign-made cars. I don't make enough money to take chances.
Die and get it over with
1.25 out of 5 starsQuest Hater, 03/07/2002
1995 Nissan Quest XE 3dr Minivan
This van is the biggest piece of junk I have ever had to drive. It stays in the shop (too much to mention every item here) and I hate parking it in small slots because you can't see the nose of the vehicle to see how far you are from objects you are trying NOT to hit. I haven't hit anything yet, but it takes me longer to park, and the turning radias is awful as well. I could go on all … day, but I'll leave you with this: my wife won't even get in the thing!
Don't by if u need reliable A/C
3.38 out of 5 starsZQuest, 08/02/2004
1995 Nissan Quest XE 3dr Minivan
I have had this car since the
beginning. Engine has been fine but
have sunk thousands into the A/C. Am
on the 3rd compressor & it has just
gone out. Also relaced core & rear
unit.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Nissan Quest, so we've included reviews for other years of the Quest since its last redesign.
1996 Quest Highlights
GXE
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $214/month |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalMarginal
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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