A Maxima in minivan clothes.

Introduction

The Nissan Quest features wild styling and better performance than most other minivans. Its powerful 3.5-liter V6 is a version of the same engine used in the 350Z sports car. And its smooth five-speed automatic would be perfectly at home in an expensive luxury car. With crisp steering, carlike ride and handling characteristics, and loads of useful space, the Quest is more fun to drive than most minivans and a better all-around choice for big families than a crossover SUV. 

The space-age styling carries through inside with jetliner-style seats, and optional SkyView glass roof panels. A rounded pod juts out from the dash and houses the shifter and secondary controls. The cabin is comfortable and innovative. Its back seats are as roomy and comfortable as those of any minivan. And the rear cargo area is among the most useful, bested only by Chrysler's. 

The Quest has a longer wheelbase than any minivan on the market today, and is as tall and long as its largest competitors. It's also one of the most versatile, with a radically arching roofline that contributes to its practicality. Its sliding doors open wide, and it boasts handy features such as a power liftgate, power rear-quarter windows, a sonar park-assist system, and overhead mood lighting. It's capable of towing up to 3500 pounds. 

Nissan introduced the Quest as an all-new model for 2004. At the time, it featured a controversial interior design. Nissan changed to a more conventional interior for the 2007 model year, and also revised the front and rear exterior styling. 

Changes for 2008 are relatively minor. Some option packages have been eliminated or reduced in content, but most trim levels now offer more standard equipment. Most significantly, front seat side-impact airbags are now standard on all models. The upper-mid-range 3.5 SL now comes standard with dual power sliding doors, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic on/off headlights, and a RearView Monitor; while the top-of-the-line 3.5 SE now comes with a Bluetooth phone system and XM Satellite Radio. 

Lineup

The 2008 Nissan Quest is offered in four trim levels: 3.5, 3.5 S, 3.5 SL, and 3.5 SE. All are the same length. All feature Nissan's superb 3.5-liter V6 engine, a five-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. 

The Quest 3.5 ($25,640) comes with cloth upholstery, eight-way manually adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, four-way manually adjustable passenger seat, front and rear air conditioning with rear controls, cruise control with switches on the steering wheel, AM/FM/CD audio with eight speakers and RDS, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, four 12-volt power points, cornering lights, dual sliding doors, and P225/65HR16 Goodyear Eagle LS all-season tires on 16-inch steel wheels. 

The 3.5 S ($26,340) adds a power right-side sliding door, a power liftgate, and power third-row vent windows. The Driver's Package ($1,400) for the S-model adds an eight-way power driver's seat, power left-side sliding door, a sonar-based system that beeps to warn of objects behind the van, and 16-inch alloy wheels

The 3.5 SL ($30,240) makes the content of the Driver's Package standard, plus power-adjustable pedals, leather-wrapped steering wheel with illuminated audio switches, 6-CD changer, rear-seat audio controls, upgraded stereo speakers, electrochromic rear-view mirror, and HomeLink transmitter. Joining the list for 2008 are automatic on/off headlights, dual zone automatic climate control, and a video-camera-based RearView Monitor. A Leather Package ($1,600) adds not just leather upholstery but heated front seats, a power four-way adjustable front passenger seat, and adjustable front seat armrests. Also optional is Nissan's SkyView Roof ($1,500), which features a power glass sunroof over the first row, panoramic glass panels over the second and third rows, and sunshades for the panoramic panels. 

The 3.5 SE ($35,340) makes the content of the Leather Package standard, and adds memory function for the driver's seat, mirrors, and pedals; a 265-watt Bose sound system with 10 speakers and a six-CD changer; tilt-down backup-aid side mirrors; fog lights; Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC); the SkyView roof with a full-length overhead console; and P225/60HR17 Goodyear Eagles on machine-finished aluminum rims. A Bluetooth hands-free phone system is now standard. too, along with XM Satellite Radio (although the required subscription is sold separately). 

The Seat Package ($350), an option which nearly every Quest seems to have, features fold-flat captain's chairs in the second row, with cupholders and an easy-entry feature; and a fold-flat bench in third row with automatic folding head restraints and grocery-bag hooks. The third-row seat also features 3-point seat belts, and LATCH-style child safety seat anchors. The package costs more ($750) when ordered with leather. 

A DVD Entertainment Package is available on all models ($1,550) and includes a DVD drive, an eight-inch color screen, remote control, auxiliary inputs, rear-seat audio controls and two wireless headphones. When ordered at the SL level ($1,800) it includes the Bluetooth phone system as well; and a dual-screen version ($2,150) is available exclusively for the SE. DVD Navigation is available ($1,600) on SL and SE. The Towing package ($560) gives the Quest a towing capacity of 3500 pounds. Other options and accessories are also available; see a Nissan dealer for the complete list. 

Standard safety features now include side-impact airbags (for torso protection) for the front seats, curtain airbags (for head protection) for all three rows, the required frontal airbags, active head restraints, a tire-pressure monitor, traction control, and anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Electronic stability control (VDC) is standard on the SE. 

Walkaround

The challenge in designing the Nissan Quest was to create a minivan that didn't look like one, while keeping it practical. By lengthening the wheelbase and shortening the front and rear overhangs, designers produced a swooping roof line while enlarging the interior space. Bold fender flares give it a sporty-looking front-end. Blacked-out side pillars provide a window line that goes from the front wheel arches to the taillights in a bold arching arrow. The result is a vehicle with sleek character lines that does not look nearly as big as it actually is. 

The long wheelbase gave the designers the opportunity to lengthen the sliding rear doors. That makes getting in and out easier, especially to the third row of seats. The power sliding doors work very well, and will open simultaneously from a distance when the buttons on the remote are pressed, though we found them reluctant to respond at times. The sliding doors have pinch protection, but seemed to push pretty hard before reversing direction. Due to the swept-up hipline, the slot for the door runners is in the middle of the bodywork rather than being disguised along the lower edge of the side windows. 

The power tailgate works well, though it was slow to respond to the remote. It's possible to interrupt then reverse its opening by pressing the remote button again, useful when you notice that you've backed up too close to a wall or tree for it to clear. 

Interior

The cabin is far from typical. And while it may not be to everyone's taste, it's innovative and useful. The interior dimensions are enormous, making the Quest feel incredibly roomy. Interior materials are quite nice. Nissan has come a long way in this regard. Most of the materials are soft to the touch, and everything fits together well. 

A rounded pod finished in a soft black material juts from the center of the dash housing the climate and audio controls and the shifter, bringing them closer to the driver. The buttons and knobs for the climate controls are large and easy to operate. The remaining controls take some acclimation, however. The radio uses A, B, and C presets instead of dedicated AM, FM, and satellite presets, and the Seek button is obscured by the shifter when in Drive. 

XM satellite radio is available, which offers high-quality sound just about anywhere in the U.S. News hounds can follow the latest stories on Fox News or CNN with no need to change stations on a cross country trip. The Radio Data System, or RDS, identifies programming on the radio's display, making it easier to find what you want. 

The navigation system is a pleasure to use. Its screen is located high up on the center of the dash, and offers a three-dimensional bird's eye viewing angle as well as the standard straight overhead angle, good for wowing your friends. 

The steering wheel of SL and SE models has illuminated controls for the audio system, and there are remote driver's door-mounted switches for models equipped with the power rear windows. Small-items storage is generous, with a large center console and a cubby at the bottom of the center pod. 

The SkyView roof features a pair of long, rectangular glass panels that appear from the inside as four glass panels over the rear seats. The glass panels cannot be opened or removed but can be covered by a sliding blind. They help make the rear seating area less claustrophobic by letting passengers see trees, airplanes and mountain tops, adding to the airiness of the spacious cabin. Nissan chose opaque shades to slide over the glass panels, much better for blocking unwanted sunlight than the mesh covers used by some manufacturers. The SkyView package comes with a traditional power glass moonroof between driver and front passenger. It's a neat feature, fun for the kids and when the adults are out for an evening on the town. 

When equipped with the central roof console and DVD entertainment system, the second-row seats make you feel like you're seated in a first-class Learjet. A DVD entertainment system with two monitors is available for SE models. DVD controls are located in the headliner, as are rear air-conditioning controls. 

Rearward visibility is good using the rearview mirror and cleverly shaped outside mirrors. The available sonar back-up system helps with parking and can help avoid small children, pets or tricycles below the line of vision. 

The seats are an unusual design. Far less bulky than normal, they look like airline seats when viewed from the side. While there is plenty of head and leg room, and the SL's standard adjustable pedals make it easy to find a natural seating position, we felt the front seatbacks were too hard. 

The second-row captain's chairs are a popular option and, in spite of their spartan appearance, are very comfortable and supportive. The armrests are positioned at a comfortable angle on both sides of each seat. These seats fold flat and flip forward to provide access to the third row, and there is a center walkthrough as well. The flip-and-fold procedure can be done with one hand, but it isn't as easy as in some minivans and the seats don't fold into the floor or tilt far enough forward to provide optimal cargo room. 

The third-row seats are among the most comfortable we've experienced in any vehicle, and among the very few suitable for two adults. The third-row seatbacks recline for added comfort, and there's a decent amount of leg room. We found them roomier and more comfortable than those in the Toyota Sienna, for example, and getting in and out of the third row was relatively easy. Big grab handles mounted cleverly on the B-pillars should assist those of diminutive stature when getting into the Quest. 

Cargo room is very flexible. A deep, carpeted well behind the third row provides useful space for sports equipment or groceries. The third-row seats can be lowered into the floor well in a simple two-step process, creating a flat floor and lots of cargo space. With the third row down and the second row folded flat, there is 148.7 cubic feet of cargo space, making it one of the roomiest minivans. That means plenty of room for 4x8 sheets of plywood. 

Driving Impression

The Quest is more fun to drive than most minivans. Its suspension is taut, so it's more responsive than all minivans but the Honda Odyssey. Like the Odyssey, it has relatively little lean in corners and nosedive during braking. The steering is crisp, with just the right amount of feedback to let the driver feel connected to the road. Its high seating position offers good all-around visibility. 

The Quest handles well. That not surprising once you realize it shares chassis components with the Nissan Maxima and Murano. Granted, the Quest doesn't handle as well as the Maxima, but it feels more stable in corners than a sport-utility vehicle and it handles better than a Toyota Sienna. It is still a very large vehicle, however, so you don't want to toss it into corners like it's a sports car. Also, its size makes parallel parking and backing out of tight spots a chore. 

The Quest's 3.5-liter engine is one of the best V6s on the market. It's essentially the same engine used in the 350Z and Infiniti G35. Tuned for the Quest, it's rated at 235 horsepower. Nissan's variable valve-timing system helps optimize efficiency at a wide range of engine speeds. The torque curve is relatively flat and peaks at 240 pound-feet at 4400 rpm. This provides the driver with responsive performance, whether driving around town or cruising on the freeway. The Quest accelerates onto on-ramps with gusto and the five-speed automatic transmission provides quick, smooth downshifts for respectable passing response. The Quest is one of the faster minivans, but its heft prevents the V6 from being as responsive as it is in Nissan's cars. In addition, the throttle can be a bit sensitive at tip-in, so you need a delicate touch when accelerating from a stop, not a great feature in stop-and-go traffic. 

Quest rates an EPA-estimated 16/24 mpg City/Highway. It will run on regular unleaded gasoline. The engine controller dials back the ignition timing when it senses regular gas to protect the engine from damage. As a result, the engine delivers less than peak power, but it is still more than adequate for most daily driving. When you want all the available power, just pump in high-octane premium and the engine happily increases its power output. 

Summary

The Nissan Quest boasts brisk performance and handling that makes it fun to drive. It's like a Maxima in minivan clothing. Its radical exterior styling may not be for everyone, but the cabin is innovative, roomy, and comfortable. Passengers will be comfortable and happy no matter where they're sitting. Opting for the leather upholstery, DVD entertainment system, SkyView roof and other features turns the Quest into first-class travel. 

NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent John Rettie reported from Santa Barbara, with Mitch McCullough reporting from Los Angeles and Kirk Bell reporting from Chicago. 

Model Lineup

Nissan Quest 3.5 ($25,640); 3.5 S ($26,340); 3.5 SL ($30,240); 3.5 SE ($35,340). 

Assembled In

Canton, Mississippi. 

Options As Tested

SkyView package ($1,500) with power sunroof, second- and third-row glass panels with sunshades, full-length overhead console; Fold-Away Seat package ($350) with fold-flat second-row captain's chairs and fold-flat third-row bench seat; DVD-based navigation ($1,600); rear-seat DVD entertainment ($1,800) with eight-inch screen, two wireless headphones, and Bluetooth cell phone connectivity; floormats ($165).