Used 2007 Nissan Quest

Since its initial launch as the joint venture sibling of the Mercury Villager, Nissan’s Quest has been the QUESTion mark in the Nissan lineup. Those questions continued with the latest iteration, introduced as a solo Nissan effort in 2004. Whereas most of its competition embraces the bland in pursuit of the minivan mainstream, Nissan took a decidedly different tack in both exterior styling and interior execution. With an all-new vehicle emanating from an all-new Canton, Mississippi plant, both quality and marketing results – at launch – were decidedly mixed. For 2007 Nissan performs one of its most aggressive mid-model "freshenings" ever. And while little of the money spent is evident on the outside, the interior represents another Nissan shift, but this time it’s a shift nearer the sweetspot of the minivan marketplace.

The 2007 Quest continues to share its basic platform – the Advanced FF-L – with Nissan’s Maxima, Murano and Altima. To that end it not only enjoys a car-like ride and handling dynamic, but one whose on-road composure is perhaps more refined than the norm. You won’t, to be sure, enter a Quest in motorsports competition, but you can be assured of accurate steering, competent braking and sure-footed roadholding. From a driver’s standpoint, the eight-way adjustable seat provides a hip point as high – or low – as you’d want it, giving you better visibility and the perception of better control. Finally, there’s nothing to fault with the combination of Nissan’s 3.5-liter V6 and five-speed automatic. It’s simply one of the best engine/transmission combos at the price point.

Beyond the aforementioned redo, where dash and instrument panel are all-new and accompanied by a wholesale improvement in materials and textures, you’ll be impressed by the significant upgrade in interior appearance. Almost every surface – save the S model’s steering wheel – is an intriguing surface, catching the eye and begging you to touch it. This is in sharp contrast to its predecessor, which might have caused you to close your eyes and keep your hands in your pockets. Beyond the interior’s tone and texture is a near-unbelievable functionality. There is space galore, made all the better by the airy greenhouse, high ceiling (truly generous headroom) and fold-flat third-row seating. The seat design is notable, looking and feeling like a contemporary display in a gallery, while the steering wheel in our test S model, although artfully designed, is all too plastic in texture.

While the majority of minivans are unified in their designs – the front half of the vehicle looks as if it belongs to the rear half – there’s intentional discord designed into the Quest sheetmetal. That discord begins at the front fender with its impossibly low cowl and continues, unabated, through the sharp upsweep taking place in the middle of the front doors. A better-integrated grille and headlamp assembly reduces the visual disconnect, but this remains as far from the mainstream, minivan-wise, as Tiny Tim. We like it, but back in the days when Renault – Nissan’s parent – was still in the U.S., some of us liked the Le Car and Fuego, too. Kudos go to the high quality fit and finish, with door closures sounding closer to Mercedes than Mazda.

Unique Exterior
We enjoy the functionality of the minivan, but wish designers took more chances in the segment. Nissan’s design team has answered our call by giving the Quest a shape entirely its own. And the daring design doesn’t in any way diminish its functionality. This is a big box with big capability – it simply doesn’t wear the skin of a two-box design.

Fold-Away Seating
Although it may not roll off the tongue like Chrysler’s Stow ‘N Go, and won’t provide the concealed stowage of Chrysler’s offering, we like Nissan’s Fold-Away seating very much. When raised, the second-row seat is exceedingly supportive, and when folded, it’s almost completely flat. The third row accommodates passengers well, providing genuine comfort to full-size adults. With this packaging you can carry people, or things, or both, with space for the things and comfort for the people.

In a category catering to a family-and-convenience-oriented clientele, the S level Quest has much to offer. Passive safety is provided by the typical array of airbags, including a roof-mounted side-curtain airbag. Active safety is supplied by an all-independent suspension, four-wheel disc braking with anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traction control. Notably, a rear sonar system is standard on the S, SL and SE models, enabling the driver to detect things located immediately behind the rearward-moving van. And if your hauling needs exceed the Quest’s interior volume, roof rails, too, are standard.

Nissan’s marketing team has created a significant gap between the comfortably-equipped SL and loaded SE . For those wishing to split the cost difference, consider the SkyView Glass-paneled Roof package. Looking up, you’ll enjoy the openness of glass roof panels in combination with a power sliding sunroof. Looking in, driver and passengers will benefit from the Technology package, included when you opt for SkyView. The Technology package supplies a rearview monitor, in-dash LCD color monitor, dual-zone Automatic Temperature Control and automatic headlamps.

Among those manufacturers offering a mid-displacement (between three and four liters) V6, Nissan’s efforts shine. Whether this powerplant is placed in the Quest, Altima or G35, it seems eminently well-suited to the task at hand. The DOHC 24-valve layout provides 235 horsepower, a five-horsepower drop from 2006 due to a new SAE rating system. And it delivers that power, via a five-speed automatic transmission, in an entirely seamless manner, with both good throttle response and excellent cruising capability. Under the hood, it’s your typical transverse installation, with good access to battery and fluids, but limited access to anything else.

3.5 V6
235 horsepower @ 5800 rpm
240 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25