Family Car Review: 2012 Nissan Quest
by Giulianna Levin - December 2011
For
many, the mini-van symbolizes the end of youth or the end of
individualism... The end of fun. We didn't have a mini-van when I
was growing up. Instead, my first experience with a mini-van
wasn't until I was already out of college. A friend of mine got a
van handed down to him from his parents. Talk about comfort and
convenience! It was then that I saw the allure of the minivan.
Beach and camping trips were a piece of cake now that a friend had
a van for us all to pile into.
While the over-all market share of
mini-van sales is not necessarily large, the mini-van is a
high-ticket item and there's a lot of money to be made by the
manufacturers. Let's consider the Nissan Quest.
The 2012 Nissan Quest certainly
stands out when it comes to design. The test vehicle we drove came
in the "Super Black" color. The wrap-around window treatments and
straight, rather than round lines create a distinct look that
makes the Quest look like the Air Force One of mini-vans. This
unique design is in keeping with some of the other Nissan models,
like the Element. It appears that Nissan is creating consistency
among its designs.
When it comes to buying a mini-van,
research tells us that it's all about the features.
The Intelligent Key™ that comes with
the Quest allows for easy entry into the vehicle, regardless of
how many children, bags, or equipment you happen to be carrying.
The Intelligent Key™ opens the passenger doors and trunk with a
click of the button. Also, the doors have one touch buttons that
open the door as long as you have the key in your pocket or on
your person. For the second row passengers, entry is easier
because of the low flooring for easy reach. Small children will
have an easier time stepping into the van.
The second row seats, captain
chairs, move forward with an easy lever, allowing passengers
access to the third row. Also, you can reach the third row through
the pathway that is created by removing the center console in the
second row. Another neat feature is that the second row has fully
functional windows, something we are not used to seeing in
minivans.
When needing to use the van to move
cargo, for instance, transporting furniture, the Nissan Quest is
easy to use. Instead of removing the second row seats, they fold
down to create a flat surface. The third row seating easily folds
down to another flat surface with use of a button in the rear
cargo area. Or, you simply pull the strap to release the third row
seat backs. This creates a completely flat floor. You can still
use the stow-away cargo area below the flat surface you have
created.
The Nissan Quest comes with a
tri-air system, meaning not only do the front passengers control
their air temperature, the back seat does as well. The Quest also
has an system that "scrubs" unwanted odors from the interior
cabin.
The Quest has blind spot monitoring,
a little symbol in your side view mirrors that alerts you when
someone is passing you. It also has a tire pressure monitoring
system that goes a step ahead. When you stop to put air in your
tires, the van's horn will honk when you've added the correct
amount of air.
Not only does the Quest have reverse
assist cameras, the side view mirrors also lower when in reverse
so you can keep an eye on curbs when you are backing out of a
parking spot.
The Nissan Quest has blue tooth
audio streaming available, you can even store music on the system,
or plug in your iPod. For the back seat passengers, there are
plenty of audio/visual plug ins. The entertainment screen is the
largest of any of the minivans on the market. The second and third
row seats are staggered like theatre seating, and you can even
fold down the second row seats to create footrests while you watch
a movie.
Although the Nissan Quest has the
lowest market share among minivans (October 2011 sales figures), I
think it's a product that more consumers should consider.
LET'S TALK SAFETY. The
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.iihs.org), rates
vehicles on a scale of: Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor. The
Quest was given a rating of Good on frontal offset and side impact
results. It received an Acceptable rating on roof strength.
THE ENGINE. 3.5L V6
Below, is a nice breakdown from
Nissan to explain the difference between trim levels:
Quest 3.5
S 3.5 Liter V6 CVT $ 27,750
Quest 3.5
SV 3.5 Liter V6 CVT $ 31,050
Quest 3.5
SL 3.5 Liter V6 CVT $ 34,500
Quest 3.5
LE 3.5 Liter V6 CVT $ 41,350
Four Well-Equipped Quest
Models
The 2012 Nissan Quest is offered in four models: S, SV, SL and LE.
Seven exterior colors are available: Twilight Gray, Dark Mahogany,
Titanium Beige, Brilliant Silver, Platinum Graphite, Super Black
and White Pearl. Two interior colors are offered, Beige and Grey,
in a choice of cloth (S and SV) or leather-appointed (SL and LE)
seating.
The Quest S starts with 16-inch steel wheels with full wheel
covers; rear roof spoiler; 6-way adjustable driver’s seat; front
door map pockets, wood-tone trim (instrument panel, front doors,
and sliding door window switch); fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row seats,
permanent rear storage well; 1st and 2nd row center consoles;
Nissan Intelligent Key™ with Push Button Ignition; and AM/FM/6CD
audio system with four speakers.
Quest SV adds one-touch power sliding doors; 16-inch
aluminum-alloy wheels; Tri-Zone Auto Temperature Control; six
speakers; fog lights; Conversation Mirror; 4.3-inch color audio
display; USB port with iPod® connectivity; Bluetooth® Hands-free
Phone System with steering wheel controls; RearView Monitor; and
leather-wrapped steering wheel.
For buyers seeking a higher level of luxury features, Quest SL
includes leather-appointed seating and door trim; 18-inch
aluminum-alloy wheels; power liftgate; 8-way power-adjustable
driver’s seat; Quick Comfort heated front seats; HomeLink®
Universal Transceiver; auto-dimming inside mirror with compass;
roof rails; auto on/off headlights; leather-wrapped shift knob;
and heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals.
