The Minivan segment is probably one of the most difficult to try and stand out in. The issue is in the overall design of the minivan itself: there is a specific criterion that manufactures should follow if they want a success story. The checklist usually reads something like this: tall body, multiple seats, large cargo capacity, safety features galore and numerous cup-holders. On that alone, the 2011 Nissan Quest manages to check off every box on the minivan list but that isn’t the whole story. For 2011, Nissan decided to do the unthinkable and create a van that truly stands out in a very crowded crowd.
Riding on Nissan’s D platform, the 2011 Quest shares a lot of its underpinnings with multiple other front wheel drive models. The Altima, Murano and Maxima are all related to the Quest and there fore, there is no real worry about “new” technology showing its ugly face. Every piece of the Quest’s platform has already been tested out in the real world and so far so good.
Our tester was a SL model with options such as rear-seat DVD entertainment system, dual opening glass moonroofs and the Bose audio package. Standard equipment included 18” alloy wheels, dual sliding doors with “One-touch” power, rear backup camera, twin 12-volt outlets, wood trim accents and a total of 16 cup holders. All 16 of these things are American sized too so there is no need to worry about not being able to fit in a “Big Gulp”. With a base price for the SL of $34,350, our optioned tester rolled out the door at $39,970.
Bathed in Platinum Graphite, the Quest’s most unique aspect is easily its looks. A change from the previous generation’s sharp angles, the 2011 Quest is much more square. Its profile is very tall and the front panels blend in with the massive front grill. The headlights feature sharp cuts and fuse together with the grill to create a “gun-sight” look. More unique is the rear, which borrows some of its looks from Japanese spec vans. The way the rear quarter panels meet to the back hatch create an almost “extra-terrestrial” allure that no other van on the market has. Needless to say, there is no mistaking the 2011 Quest for another minivan.
Under the hood of the Quest rests Nissans tried and true VQ V6. Displacing 3.5 liters and utilizing variable valve timing, the Quest produces 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Matched to the VQ is Nissan’s Xtronic CVT continuously variable transmission. This is a transmission that does not contain gears but rather belts that change direction on a set of pulleys. The adjustment of the pulleys alters the tension on the belts and creates simulated “gear ratios”. The advantage to a CVT is the elimination of power loss due to gear changes and improved fuel economy. It’s a strange experience at first not hearing gear changes, but admittedly Nissan has done a good job at incorporating these transmissions into their vehicles. There is no doubt that the CVT is mostly responsible for out tester’s average mpg of 20.
One criterion on the minivan checklist is cargo capacity. The Quest satisfies with its biggest party favor: the ease of loading. With all the seats up, the third row is no more difficult to access than any other back seat and even full-grown passengers marveled at the amount of space and legroom in the way back. If needed, the third row is not exclusively reserved for children. The second row is even more ample with a wide center passage and plush captain chairs. The back does get its own climate control and the ability to operate both the DVD system and the cooler-than cool dual moonroofs. But when the cargo load turns from kids to lumber, the Quest doesn’t need to bow out. Folding the rear seats flat is as easy as hitting a button and turns the loading area into something monstrous. The only load that could possible challenge the Quest wouldn’t even be considered without a heavy-duty truck.
Even though the most important aspect of a minivan is its cargo loading, it is still a car and should give a driver something to think about. The Quest manages to do this, but not all of the time. The VQ, even though gutsy, doesn’t seem to invoke stoplight drag races. And despite the CVT’s “feeless shifts”, it still can be slow to react. Due to the Quest’s heavy 4,480 lb curb weight, a driver sometimes has to take part in careful planning when merging onto the interstate. And it won’t be a very quiet ride up the freeway, as the VQ is known for its “rough” noise. It might be time for Nissan to work on its drive train refinement.
A Quest driver can have some fun though while behind the wheel. Surprisingly, the Quest does have a competent chassis and produces a good amount of road grip. Thanks can be given to Nissan’s stellar D platform that produced the “Four Door Sports Car” otherwise known as the Maxima. One could almost go as far as to say the Quest is the “Sports Car” of the minivan world as the grip from the front was actually able to produce a smile or two. The tight steering did have its draw backs though as parking lot speeds could be more work than wanted out of a vehicle such as the Quest. The “component sharing” that Nissan uses to build its cars and trucks is an extremely smart idea and benefits the Quest in more ways than one.
When driving the van, it doesn’t take long to figure out where Nissan set the priorities. Its specialty is hauling and proof can be found in the front. The feel of the interior is a little on the “hardware” side more than luxury and the ergonomics could be improved. The placement of such things as climate control buttons and the CD player seem like an afterthought. The stereo may sound wonderful, but it isn’t the easiest thing to operate. The iPod integration is, however, the best this driver has experience so far.
The 2011 Nissan Quest doesn’t drive around without fault but it isn’t a bad vehicle. It would appear that in order to be an excellent minivan, a few key “car-guy” things must be left off the table. No enthusiast would admit to wanting to drive a minivan daily, but the Quest actually is able to occasionally satisfy the joy of driving. The chassis is unique to a minivan and the look of the Quest separates it from every other hauler on the road. The cargo loading makes it truly multi-purpose, and no matter what SUV a family could buy, there isn’t much besides a truck that can out carry the Quest. In the end, the 2011 Nissan Quest is a minivan that won’t cause a dad to drop his head in shame whenever he approaches it.
