2004-2008 Nissan Quest: Road Test

Quest is among the faster minivans, with fine power off the line, good merging and passing muscle. Fuel economy is also impressive for the class, with test Quests averaging between 17.9 and 18.4 mpg. Quests absorb most bumps pretty well, but can pitch and bound over big moguls. The 3.5 SE's 17-inch tires ride more harshly over sharp ridges and ruts than the other models' 16s. No opportunity to test with the available run-flat tires. Quest is among the larger minivans, so it's less car like to drive than some rivals, especially in tight spots. On the upside, steering is responsive and natural in feel, and Quest corners with good grip, modest body lean. Inside, there's little undue road rumble, and the engine is no louder than most rival V6s, but it does sound coarse in rapid acceleration. The dashboard sacrifices too much function for the sake of avant-garde styling. Main gauges are atop center of dashboard. The design takes getting used to, and makes small warning lights hard to see. Also odd is the placement of audio and climate controls on nearly horizontal surface atop a semicircular center-console column. They're easy to reach, but many markings are too small to decipher at a glance. The available navigation system absorbs no audio or climate functions--a big plus. Interior materials a mix of many colors and textures; most are attractive, but some look cut-rate. Up front, tall folks may need more seat travel, but they get plenty of headroom. All models have a height-adjustable driver seat and adjustable lumbar support. Adjustable pedals are a boon for shorter drivers. The dash top reflects badly in the windshield, while 3rd-row headrests block the view aft. Visibility is good otherwise. There's adult-sized room in the 2nd and 3rd rows. Wide door openings ease entry/exit for 3rd row passengers, as do tilt-forward 2nd-row seats. Second-row seats slide fore/aft about 3 inches to increase 3rd-row room. The available Skyview roof, dual-screen entertainment system, and overhead console are all nice touches.

Value for the Money
Quest gives up a little too much function in its quest to be stylish. It also lags the top-rated minivans for refinement and workmanship, and gets quite pricey with options. But it does carry seven in reasonable comfort, and delivers the expected safety and convenience features.