Review: A mom takes the 2011 Nissan Quest for a test drive.
http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/2011-nissan-quest-review.html
I like minivans. At least, I want to like them. I carry lots of cargo and never go off road, and I don’t want to step down or climb up to get into a vehicle. Unfortunately, too many of them are styled, inside and out, like they were dumbed down for dogs and babies. Nissan, recognizing this problem, has offered Americans its Japanese-market Elgrand van platform, which has been widened to accommodate our fat asses and Costco excursions.
Becky and Greg of NICO Club, two parents, went for a test drive in a new Quest. Wider than the Titan and longer than a suburban boulevard, the Quest minivan could hardly be called mini.
The first luxury minivan, the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country, dominated nearly three quarters of the market until the turn of the century thanks to upscale styling and leather captains chairs inspired by large conversion vans. Over time, the Chrysler van fell behind in luxury and refinement, though it gained unique features like fold-flat Stow-And-Go seats, Sirius Satellite TV, and an interior picnic table. For a while, it was the preferred way for a stylish 90s family to spend the money it earned from dotcom IPOs.
Above: 1996-2001 Chrysler Town and Country LXi
The innovative middle-row picnic table is no longer available and the Town and Country’s interior has been disappointing over the last few generations. Reliability has typically been below average. See Allpar’s review of the 2000 Town and Country.
Honda and Toyota offered upscale versions of its Odyssey and Sienna, but none looked or felt like luxury goods. The Nissan Quest, meanwhile, was awkward and goofy, until now.
Bonus: Quest is equipped with an air scrubber, so if one of your six kids (or you) rips one, you don’t have to open all the windows.
Above: 2011 Nissan Quest
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