2002 Nissan Quest: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The current versions of Quest and Mercury's Villager vanish after the 2002-model-year run as Nissan and Ford end their minivan joint venture. Nissan says it will introduce a larger, redesigned Quest minivan for the 2004 model year. New wheel designs are Quest's only major change for 2002. GXE, SE, and top-line GLE models are offered. All are 7-seaters with a Nissan V6, automatic transmission, ABS, sliding-track 3rd-row bench seat, and dual sliding rear doors. Power side doors and side airbags are not available, though a rear-seat video-entertainment system is offered at no extra charge. Quest's performance and accommodations mirror those of comparably equipped Villagers.

COMPETITION

Though the competition has heated up, we feel that the new Dodge Caravan is still one of the best minivans you can buy. It offers all of the creature comforts in a pleasing package at a fair price. Our other Best Buy is the Honda Odyssey. It's a little bit smaller than the Dodge, but more sporty to drive, and it has a super-convenient flip-and-fold-away rear seat.

Trailing at a close second are the Recommended Chevy Venture and Toyota Sienna. Though these vans are comparably priced and offer loads of neat features, we feel they can't match the road manners of our two Best Buys. Also garnering Recommended ratings are the Chrysler Town & Country and Chrysler Voyager. Though they are mechanically similar to the class-leading Caravan, they don't offer the breadth of model choices.