When it comes to powerful and respected figures in the auto industry, Carlos Ghosn is a man who ranks near the top. But, even under his steadfast leadership, Nissan has made a few missteps, the most obvious being the 2004 Quest minivan. As one company executive so clearly stated, Nissan is a company that likes to push the envelope, even sometimes beyond the limits. A prime example is Nissan’s current van, which has been largely panned for its too-futuristic dash with its center gauge cluster and questionable ergonomics, and the very un-Nissan trait of poor build quality. Those are just two of the countless points addressed and corrected in the 2007 Quest, a ride that desperately needed this mid-cycle working over.
Arriving at local dealers in the spring of 2006, the updated Quest features a relocated gauge cluster, more user-friendly controls, minor styling changes, and possibly most significant, a completely overhauled focus on quality.
What it is Nissan launched the current version its seven-passenger Quest in 2004, hoping that the futuristic styling and avant-garde dash design would win over customers bored with the typical minivan. It didn’t work, as low sales proved that innovation and technology are great, but funky looks are a love or hate affair. Unfortunately for the Quest, there was an overabundance of the latter.
Nissan seems to have taken this hard lesson to heart for the 2007 model year. The updated Quest blends its unique style, albeit with a few visual tweaks, with a more conservative interior. The instrument panel still features a round hub, but the controls are more logically configured, and the gauge cluster, once sitting atop the center of the dash, now resides behind the steering wheel where most drivers expect it to be.
Why it matters Minivan sales may not be climbing as they did in years past, but families continue to fork over hefty chunks of cash for these versatile people haulers. And with news of Pontiac dropping its Montana, not to mention Ford’s questionable longevity in this segment, buyers will be left with fewer choices. However, competition will remain stiff, with the
Honda Odyssey,
Toyota Sienna, and
Dodge Caravan still dominating the market. Each has its own strengths, but none offer the sporty image that comes with the Nissan badge and the stand-alone styling of the 2007 Quest.
What’s under the hood Every
2007 Nissan Quest draws its power from a 3.5-liter, dual overhead cam, 24-valve, V6 engine that runs on premium fuel. Horsepower is rated at 240 and peaks at 5,800 rpm, while torque peaks at 242 lb.-ft. at 4,400 rpm, all of which reaches the front wheels thanks to a five-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain, used liberally across the Nissan lineup though tuned for specific applications, allows the 2007 Quest to tow up to 3,500 pounds. Traction control is standard; stability control is optional.
What’s inside Available in four trims – 3.5, 3.5S, 3.5SL, 3.5SE – the 2007 Nissan Quest gets props for its freshened interior. The quirky center gauge cluster, the one that turned off so many prospective buyers, has been relocated to its traditional home behind the steering wheel, the center instrument panel has been redesigned for improved ergonomics and includes new buttons with a more pleasant feel, new fake light wood or metallic trim is available, all interior panels have been reworked for better fit and finish, and the fold-away third row seat is spring-loaded for easy one-handed operation with automatic folding headrests. Unlike some competitors, all rear seats fold into the floor so there’s no carrying heavy buckets and benches into the garage.
Lower models get an eight-speaker sound system and cloth seats, while the 3.5SE gets a 265-watt Bose stereo with a six-disc CD changer and leather seats. All models can be equipped with a rear DVD entertainment system, though features like navigation and satellite radio are reserved for 3.5SL and 3.5SE models.
What it looks like
During the 2007 Nissan Quest’s debut at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, company engineers focused a great deal on the issue of quality, describing the significant time and effort that went into reevaluating every aspect of the Quest, the result of which is what they claim to be a much improved minivan. The exterior features a new grille, smoked headlights, revised taillights, updated wheels, and chrome accents.
What Nissan says
When a model gets freshened, typically a few years after its debut or latest redesign, there’s just enough to distinguish the new from the old, with a few added features to keep the vehicle competitive. Not so with the 2007 Quest, which constitutes what Nissan calls its largest mid-cycle investment ever. The Quest has been on a short list of Nissan vehicles to be poorly received, and it’s clear with this iteration that the company is intent on delivering a vehicle minivan buyers desire.
What we think
We applaud Nissan for hearing the complaints surrounding the current Quest minivan and efforts taken to remedy the situation. To their credit, engineers have taken some of the punch out of the overly individualistic design, but without a good deal of advertising, shoppers will be oblivious to the changes. Only minivan nuts (do they even exist?), automotive writers, and Nissan employees will recognize the changes without having them pointed out first, meaning that many shoppers may instantly dismiss the 2007 Quest thinking that it’s the same van they looked at three years ago. Our editors mostly like the look of Nissan’s family hauler, but the real question is – did buyers stay away from the Quest simply because of its interior and build quality, or did exterior styling have something to do with it? If so, a new grille and a splash of chrome will do little to alleviate that problem. This is a workable Band-Aid, though we’ll hold our breath for a complete redesign in the coming years.
When you can buy it
Pricing has yet to be announced for the 2007 Nissan Quest, which goes on sale in the spring of 2006. For reference, 2006 3.5 models started at about $24,000 and 3.5SE versions stickered for about $34,000.
Photos courtesy of Nissan
