2007 Nissan Quest 3.5 SL Minivan Review Road Test

2007 Quest 3.5 SL Review

Nissan has a tradition of maverick design for their vehicles, and the current generation Quest minivan is no exception. However, consumers didn't care for the novel interior design (introduced in the 2004 model year), so Nissan has introduced some significant mid-cycle changes for the 2007 model.

First Glance: Too Much of a Good Thing

When introduced in the 2004 model year, the current generation Nissan Quest was a refreshing break from the more staid and admittedly bland minivan offerings from their competitors. The exterior styling was distinctive, but Nissan worked hardest on making the interior of the '04 Quest something new, with an instrument cluster mounted in the middle of the dashboard and other unusual styling touches.

While the power and performance of the Quest won raves, the funkadelic interior styling was a bit much for minivan traditionalists. Sales were comparatively lackluster, so Nissan decided that the Quest needed an intervention in the form of a significant update and redesign.

The result of their efforts is the 2007 Quest, which features a host of new and improved features. The controversial interior styling of the previous Quest has been dropped in favor of a more traditional layout, with the instrument cluster now in front of the steering wheel. A redesigned front grill and fascia bring the Quest more in line with other new Nissan vehicles, and a new color -- Chestnut -- is offered for 2007.

My test vehicle was a Quest 3.5 SL, and came loaded to the roof racks with options. Base price for the SL is $27,500, but included amenities -- including the "skyview" panoramic sunroof package and DVD navigation system -- pushed the as-tested figure close to the $40,000 range.

Continued below...

In the Driver's Seat: Wide Open Spaces

During my stint with the Quest, we loaded up the family and headed to Cheyenne, Wyoming for a weekend road trip. Our vehicle had the SL premium package, which included heated front leather seats (non-heated leather in 2nd row), adjustable driver and front passenger armrests and a DVD player. Seating in the front two rows was very comfortable for adults, although the third row is best left for kids (more on that in a bit).

My hat goes off to the interior design team at Nissan for making the changes to the instrument panel in the '07 Quest, as the controls and gauges are much more legibile and intuitive than in previous models. Our vehicle included power sliding doors and rear liftgate, which made it easy to load two car seats, a large ice cooler and three active children into the minivan.

The second-row captain's chairs accomodated child safety seats with ease, and the seat layout gives the Quest an impressive amount of room in the 2nd row. I've driven dozens of minivans, and the Quest features the most 2nd-row space and comfort -- for adults -- that I've yet seen.

The third-row was a different story: while there was plenty of head room in the center seating position for adults, the tapered exterior design of the rear of the vehicle causes adults over 5'11" or so seated in the two outboard third-row positions to tilt their necks to one side to get adequate headroom. It's not a comfortable proposition for taller adults on long trips, but is perfectly acceptable for children and shorter adults.

On the Road: Power and Performance

One area where the Quest shines is in the powertrain department. My vehicle was equipped with the award-winning 3.5 liter DOHC "VQ" V6 engine, which churned out a respectable 240 lb.ft of torque and 235 horsepower. Teamed with a 5-speed automatic transmission, the engine always had plenty of juice to make merging and passing a breeze.

Despite the extra bulk and weight all full-size minivans have to contend with, I found the Quest to handle directly and predictably in most driving situations. This is no 350Z, mind you, but the polished powertrain and mild-mannered handling combine for a smooth, uneventful driving experience -- not bad traits at all for a minivan.

Good power and handling can help drivers avoid accidents, and the Quest has an impressive complement of safety features to help out in that department: full front- and side-curtain airbags, traction control and 4-wheel ABS-equipped disc brakes. Our test vehicle came equipped with run-flat tires and Nissan's "vehicle dynamic control", which is their version of electronic stability control (ESC). It's unfortunate that the latter isn't offered as a standard feature on all trim levels, as it is on rival minivans from Kia and Hyundai.

The LATCH anchors in the second and third-row seats are are well-positioned and easy to access, and other thoughtful touches abound in the cabin, including garment and grocery-bag hooks, lots of storage nooks and crannies, and a total of 10 cup holders.

Journey's End: Very Good -- But Good Enough?

Nissan should be applauded for making such significant (and expensive) changes midway through a vehicle generation, an effort that has resulted in a superior minivan that surpasses earlier models in just about every respect. That sort of investment is significant, and seems to indicate that Nissan plans to be in the minivan market for the long haul.

Despite these changes and improvements, the Quest falls short in a number of areas. The vehicle still suffers from the vestiges of too much design (i.e., the aforementioned limits on third-row headroom) and from a pricey options assortment that can quickly push the sticker close to (and beyond) the $40,000 mark. With the Kia Sedona and Hyundai Entourage offering 95% of what the Quest does for thousands less -- and domestic makes benefiting from aggressive discounting -- the value proposition for the Quest doesn't seem to be a strong one.

One caveat: If you like the latest in gadgets and technology in your vehicles, the Quest does offer an impressive assortment of automotive technologies, from a bluetooth-compatible phone system to a run-flat tire package and a GPS-enabled DVD navigation system. These options will cost you, but a loaded Quest compares favorably with similarly equipped vehicles from Toyota and Honda.

In the final analysis the Quest emerges as a solid, all-around performer, a fine vehicle with some stand-out features. The capable powertrain, panoramic sunroof, technology options and impressive styling help set the Quest apart.

• Visit the 2007 Nissan Quest 3.5 SL Photo Gallery