2007 Nissan Quest Minivan

What’s New?
The 2007 Nissan Quest has been restyled inside and also received some exterior upgrades to bring it more in line with conventional minivans. The overall exterior receives an updated front grille and bumper area, while the back gets new combination taillamps. Door handles are now chrome instead of color-keyed, and the roof rack is more angular with a chrome finish. Inside, the changes are more extensive; there’s a new center stack, the instruments have been moved from atop the center console to a position in front of the driver, and new controls are easier to locate and read.

Overview
In Nissan’s words, the previous Quest’s approach to the segment was “discomforting” for some buyers, meaning opinions were mixed about it. For 2007, Nissan has given its minivan one of the most extensive mid-cycle redesigns in the automaker’s history. The goal was to maintain the basic product and concept, but improve the interior design and functionalities, as well as enhance quality, all of which Nissan feels it has accomplished. The exterior is still unique, but the interior is where the big changes have been made.

Instead of the cluster being located in the center of the dash, the instruments have been moved to a position in front of the driver. The center stack has been redesigned and is more thoroughly integrated with the console area. It still remains high on the dash, but is a lot easier to use, as well as a lot easier on the eyes. The information display has been placed in the center of the dash, up high where the instrument cluster used to be, and features a large, easy-to-read screen that displays audio and temperature settings, as well as the display for the optional navigation system. While much more user-friendly, the screen is pronounced, and looks as if it should have a drop-into-the-dash feature, which it does not. Both second- and third-row seats are comfortable and much easier to operate. The third-row seat is easier to reach, easier to operate, and the headrests fold down automatically before the seat stores into the cargo well. In addition, the odd orange leather interior has been replaced with a much more mainstream “Chili” shade.

The engine in the 2007 Quest remains Nissan’s VQ 3.5L V-6, with approximately the same power as the outgoing model: 235 hp and 240 lb.-ft. of torque. All Quests get the 5-speed automatic transmission that was only available on the high-end model last year.

The Competition
The Nissan Quest competes in the Midsize Van segment, which consists of 13 models. Buyers in this segment look for reliability, safety, and comfort, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider Study^SM and the Escaped Shopper Study.^SM

The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM were the Dodge Caravan (211,140 units sold), Honda Odyssey (177,919), and Toyota Sienna (163,269). The Nissan Quest sold 31,905 units in 2006, a decrease of 20.9 percent compared to the previous year. Other models offered in the Midsize Van segment include the Chrysler Town & Country, Chevrolet Uplander, Kia Sedona, Ford Freestar, and Mazda 5.