Nissan Elgrand First generation
Nissan Elgrand (First generation) was built from 1997 to 2002, as a 4-door minivan; 4-door van (commercial models). Powertrain: 3.3 L VG33E V6; 3.5 L VQ35DE V6; 3.0 L ZD30DDTi I4 diesel turbo; 3.2 L QD32ETi I4 diesel turbo. Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive; Front-engine, four-wheel-drive. Weight: 1940 - 2060 kg; 2030 - 2180 kg (AWD).
Composed from the specifications below, so it states nothing the specs do not. Photograph: TTTNIS, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons), from this generation's own encyclopedia entry.
Overview
The first generation of the Nissan Elgrand was produced from May 1997 to May 2002, with commercial versions remaining in production until December 2017. Various engine combinations were available including the petrol VG33E, VQ35DE and diesel QD32ETi and ZD30DDTi. The E50 had a 4 speed automatic transmission and came in either 2- or 4-wheel drive. The Caravan Elgrand was exclusive to Nissan Store, while the Homy Elgrand was exclusive to Japanese Nissan Prince Store dealerships. The Elgrand assumed the Caravan Coach's passenger carrying duties with a luxury enhancement. The top trim level equipment packages were installed with internet enabled satellite navigation called CarWings.
Model variations
On 4 April 2013, two Fargo Filly vans were subjected to recalls due to issues regarding the durability of the battery cable's plastic band, which causes it to touch the exhaust tube when it breaks to potentially cause a short circuit. On February 19, 2016, 15 Fargo Filly vans made between January 1999 and December 2001 were subjected to recalls due to engine issues that prevent the driver from starting it.
Source: the English Wikipedia article on this model, CC BY-SA 4.0. Text may be shortened; read the full article for the complete text.
Not yet sourced for this model. Used prices swing with year, mileage, grade and country, so we publish a market range only when it comes with a named source and a date, and never an estimate. For a live figure, use the landed-cost tool with the price on the auction sheet.
Who it suits
- Families, groups and shuttle work: the people-carrier body is built around seating and access.
Check before you buy
- Check the emissions equipment (particulate filter, NOx treatment) and the destination country's emissions rules; some markets restrict used diesels.
- Ask for service records: turbocharged engines are sensitive to oil changes and cool-down habits.
- Test the four-wheel-drive system (transfer case, differentials) and look for uneven tyre wear.
- Read the auction sheet grade and notes, and verify the odometer against service and inspection records. How to read an auction sheet
- Run a history check (accidents, flood, mileage) before you bid. History check guide
- Import age rules: this generation already qualifies in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Confirm the rule for your exact vehicle with customs before buying. Landed-cost calculator
General guidance for this type of vehicle, worked out from its body, powertrain and age. It is not a finding about this particular model; use an inspection and the auction sheet for the car you are actually buying.
Worked out from this generation's production years and each country's age rule. Rules also depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
Other generations of the Elgrand
- Second generation · 2002- 2010
- Third generation · 2010 - 2026
- Fourth generation · 2026 - present
More from Nissan · all Nissan models
- Patrol (Seventh generation) · 2024-present
- Skyline (Thirteenth generation) · 2014 - 2022 (hybrid); 2014 - present (gasoline)
- Cima (Fifth generation (Y51)) · 2012-2022
- Fuga (Second generation (Y51)) · 2009-2022
- GT-R · 2007 - 2025
- President · 2003-2010
Can I import a Nissan Elgrand (First generation) from Japan?
By production year alone, Nissan Elgrand (First generation) is inside the age window for United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Rules depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
What powers the Nissan Elgrand (First generation)?
Per its encyclopedia infobox, engine: 3.3 L VG33E V6; 3.5 L VQ35DE V6; 3.0 L ZD30DDTi I4 diesel turbo; 3.2 L QD32ETi I4 diesel turbo.
Answered from this page's own data, not from outside claims. See the sources below.
- en.wikipedia.org (retrieved 2026-10-19)
Confidence: single-source (Wikipedia infobox). Specifications differ by market, trim and model year; the auction sheet or the vehicle's registration document is the final word on a particular car.
- Complete guide · 12 minHow to Import a Used Luxury Car from Japan: Auction Grades, Paperwork and Country Rules (2026)How to import a used luxury car from Japan: what an auction grade means, how to check mileage and history, which export papers Japan asks for, and the age rules in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Kenya.
- General import guide · 9 minHow Much Does It Cost to Import a Car from Japan? (2026)Shipping is only part of it. The real cost of importing a car from Japan stacks purchase, freight, duty, fees, and US-side costs. Here's the full breakdown for 2026, with a worked example.
- General import guide · 9 minThe 25-Year Import Rule, Explained (2026)The 25-year rule is the single most important law in car importing — and the most misunderstood. Here's how it actually works, by month of manufacture, with the EPA and NHTSA thresholds untangled.
- General import guide · 8 min7 Common Car Import Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)Most import horror stories come down to a handful of avoidable mistakes. Here are the seven that cost first-time importers the most money and stress — and exactly how to avoid each one.
- General import guide · 8 minHow to Check a Used Car's History Before ImportingA clean photo and a low mileage number prove nothing on their own. Here's how to verify a Japanese car's real history — mileage, accidents, grade — before you commit a single yen.
- General import guide · 7 minContainer vs RoRo Shipping: Which to ChooseRoRo is cheaper; container is safer. The choice between the two main ways to ship a car from Japan comes down to your car's value and what you're willing to risk. Here's how to decide.