Prices for 2012 haven’t been announced yet, and the only change that has been revealed so far is minor — adding XM satellite radio as standard equipment to the SV and SL trim levels.
After being off the market for more than a year, Nissan brought out the all-new, fourth generation to compete in a shrinking minivan segment against such vehicles as the Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.
The reborn Quest, now assembled in Japan, has a completely new exterior and interior, more standard features and a long list of options designed to make it a family room on wheels.
Despite their suburban-mom stigma that turns off some car shoppers, minivans are still quite practical for families, especially those who can’t fit in vehicles with just two rows of seats. The Quest, like other minivans, has a third row.
Even empty-nesters buy minivans because they often have grandkids and so occasionally need the third seat, and the vehicles have lots of cargo space, as well, for hauling cargo.
When the third seat isn’t needed for passengers, it can be folded into the floor to create more room for stuff; and even large items such as big-screen TVs can be carried with the second and third rows folded.
The new Quest is considerably better than its predecessor — larger and longer, with a boxy rear end that has a shape similar to that of the Ford Flex crossover. Inside, it’s more family-friendly, and it’s a great vehicle for daily family use, as well as long road trips.
For the 2011 models, prices begin at $27,750 (plus $810 freight) for the base S model and go as high as $41,350 for the top-of-the-line LE version, which comes with such standard amenities as an in-dash navigation system, 13-speaker Bose audio system and a rear DVD entertainment center.
In the middle of the lineup are the SV model ($30,900) and the SL ($34,350).
The SL and LE models come with a leather interior and a power rear hatch, while the S and SV versions have cloth seats. Sliding rear passenger doors are included on both sides; and on all but the S model, they are power-operated.
Under the hood of all Quest models is a 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated at 260 horsepower and 240 lbs.-ft. of torque. It’s connected to a continuously variable automatic transmission.
It’s fairly fuel-efficient for such a roomy vehicle, especially in comparison with some of the crossover utility vehicles with the same capacity.
EPA ratings are 19 MPG in the city and 24 on the highway. Front-wheel drive is standard.
We averaged about 21.3 MPG in a mix of city and interstate driving. But range was a bit disappointing, even with the 20-gallon fuel tank.
The Quest’s engine and transmission are similar to those used in the Altima and Maxima sedans and the Murano midsize crossover. All of these vehicles, including the Quest, are built on Nissan’s “D” chassis platform.
There is room for up to seven in the Quest, with dual captain’s chairs in the first and second rows, and a 60/40-split bench seat in the rear. Behind the third row, there is an open cargo area of 35.1 cubic feet.
With the second and third rows folded into the floor, there is a flat load space from just behind the front seats all the way to the tailgate.
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