#LAAS You'll recall that yesterday's photos from the 2011 Nissan Quest unveiling each included 3 dozen of our journalist friends in, on or around the new minivan. Well, that changes today. Today we got into the brown show van, which happens to be a high-line LE model ($42,150 with destination; full price list after the jump).
We found adequate room for all 5-foot-10 of us in the second-row captains's chairs, but our gut feeling is that this Quest isn't as roomy as the 2011 Odyssey we drove recently. Indeed, the Nissan's passenger volume is 167.1 cubic feet compared to the 172.6-cubic-foot volume in the Odyssey. Then again, we probably wouldn't be riding in the backseat of the Quest if we bought one.
Quest 3.5 S -- 3.5 Liter V6 -- CVT -- $28,550
Quest 3.5 SV -- 3.5 Liter V6 -- CVT -- $31,700
Quest 3.5 SL -- 3.5 Liter V6 -- CVT -- $35,150
Quest 3.5 LE -- 3.5 Liter V6 -- CVT -- $42,150
Factory Options:
Roof Rails $ 300 (standard on SL, LE)
DVD Entertainment System $ 2,100 (standard on LE)
Bose Package $ 1,300 (standard on LE)
Dual Opening Glass Moonroof (SL, LE) $ 1,350
06scooby says:
04:33 PM, 11/18/10
I really like the new quest. I'm sad to see that it doesn't have the AWD option and that the power is way less than the maxima/altima/everything else with a VQ35 and therefore most of the competition.
I think it's odd that this is the only minivan with SUV style folding 3rd row and not a flip folding with the big well behind the seat. That is my favorite thing about the minivan's is that big well behind the 3rd row that swallows tons of stuff. Is there a well under that cover behind the 3rd row?
konocar400h says:
04:45 PM, 11/18/10
I like it, but... Whats up with the totally flat rear floor? The Sienna and Odyssey have deep cargo wells. I'm assuming that the floor lifts up to reveal a deep space underneath but that would just be a hassle
Erin Riches replied to comment from 06scooby
05:10 PM, 11/18/10
The 2011 Quest *does* have a well behind the 3rd row -- it's actually really deep, I eyeballed it at maybe 10 inches deep. In my shots, covers are placed over the well. I'll add a shot that gives you an idea of what the well is like. --Erin
technetium99 says:
05:54 AM, 11/19/10
I see that Nissan still is using French ergonomics (or lack thereof); must be really fun to have the shift lever in the way of the audio controls, or is only the passenger supposed to use them? Where is the CD player? Is it still out of view of the driver like in previous models? There are very real reasons that the Quest has been an also ran among the minivans, and it doesn't look like Nissan has figured out why yet.
throwback says:
07:11 AM, 11/19/10
Nissan is still hooked on CVTs I see. Are there any MPG estimates for this van? How does it stack up against the Honda and Toyota?
creeper says:
08:02 AM, 11/19/10
if the transmission is in drive, then the climate controls are less obstructed. i presume there are redundant audio controls on the wheel like most modern vehicles.
makakio says:
10:50 AM, 11/19/10
WOW. Nicest looking minivan in a looooong time.
eriches says:
10:52 AM, 11/19/10
@ throwback: Nissan is estimating 16/24, so it's on the low side -- mainly due to the limitations of the VQ V6, not the CVT, Nissan offcials told me on Wednesday.
All the major specs are here: http://www.insideline.com/nissan/quest/2011/2011-nissan-quest-2010-los-angeles-auto-show.html
zoomzoom22 says:
12:45 PM, 11/19/10
tech -
I think I see the CD player way down there below all of the controls (about five inches from the floor). Even worse placement than the location/audio controls of our long-gone but well-loved 1999 Sienna....
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/attachments/worklogs/56006d1248495950-2003-toyota-sienna-van-sienna_console-front.jpg
I guess the reasoning is that you don't change CD's that often during most drives. With the Sienna, though, all of the audio controls were tiny and forced the driver to take his/her (usually my mom's) eyes off the road. At least the Quest gets that part right.
ed124c says:
01:35 PM, 11/19/10
I have always wondered why minivans don't have 3 across seating in the front row. Pickup trucks have it. Does it have something to do with the front wheel drive? There appears to be enough legroom in the middle for a small person, but I guess they don't want kids in the suicide seats.
It seems unlikely that this minivan will appeal to people outside the Nissan fan crowd. What exactly does it have to compete with the major players?
altimadude05 says:
03:50 PM, 11/19/10
IMO, This has a much better dashboard than the Odyssey and Sienna. I could do without the huge chrome grill, but overall, the exterior is way better than Odyssey's. It is interesting that they have forward folding rear seats. I wonder how that affects lift-over height compared to the competition?
This minivan would get my money for a luxury van. However, I'm hard pressed to pass up a Caravan for little-kid family use.