The challenge in designing the Quest was to create a minivan that didn't look like one, while keeping it practical. By lengthening the wheelbase and shortening the front and rear overhangs, designers produced a swooping roof line while enlarging the interior space. Bold fender flares give it a sporty-looking front-end. Blacked-out side pillars provide a window line that goes from the front wheel arches to the taillights in a bold arching arrow. The result is a vehicle with sleek character lines that does not look nearly as big as it actually is. The long wheelbase gave the designers the opportunity to lengthen the sliding rear doors. That makes getting in and out easier, especially to the third row of seats. The power sliding doors work very well, and will open simultaneously from a distance when the buttons on the remote are pressed, though we found them reluctant to respond at times. The sliding doors have pinch protection, but seemed to push pretty hard before reversing direction. Due to the swept-up hipline, the slot for the door runners is in the middle of the bodywork rather than being disguised along the lower edge of the side windows. The power tailgate works well, though it was slow to respond to the remote. It's possible to interrupt its opening by pressing the remote again, useful when you notice that you've backed up too close to a wall or tree for it to clear. The Quest is fun to drive, more fun than other minivans. Its suspension is taut, so it's more responsive than other minivans. The Quest leans less in corners, the nose dives less under braking and the rear squats less under acceleration. The steering is crisp, with just the right amount of feedback to let the driver feel connected to the road. Its high seating position offers good all-around visibility. Quest shares chassis components with the Nissan Maxima, Altima and Murano. Its suspension provides good handling for a big vehicle. Granted, the Quest doesn't handle as well as the Maxima, but it feels more stable in corners than a sport-utility and it handles better than a Toyota Sienna. Quest's 3.5-liter engine is one of the best V6s on the market. It's essentially the same engine used in the 350Z and Infiniti G35. Tuned for the Quest, it's rated at 240 horsepower. Nissan's variable valve-timing system helps optimize efficiency at a wide range of engine speeds. The torque curve is relatively flat and peaks at 242 pound-feet at 4400 rpm. This provides the driver with responsive performance, whether driving around town or cruising on the freeway. The Quest accelerates onto on-ramps with gusto and passes slower vehicles on two-lane roads at a respectable rate. At times, the throttle seemed a bit sensitive at tip-in, however, so you need a delicate touch initially when accelerating from a stop. The available five-speed automatic transmission delivers the smooth shifts of a luxury sedan. Quest rates an EPA-estimated 19/26 mpg City/Highway with the standard four-speed automatic and 18/25 mpg with the five-speed automatic. We checked the overall gear ratios and noticed that, even though the five-speed provides slightly more relaxed top-gear cruising, the five-speed's three lowest gears are significantly more aggressive than those used in the four-speed. We suspect that's how that 1 mile per gallon gets lost on all but the straightest, flattest roads. By the same token, the five-speed automatic should offer better acceleration performance than the four-speed automatic, better response around town and smoother shifting. Overall, we were very happy with the five-speed and recommend getting it. In a period of higher fuel prices, it's nice to know that Quest will run on regular unleaded gasoline. The engine controller dials back the ignition timing when it senses regular gas to protect the engine from damage. As a result, power drops to 230 horsepower and 238 pound-feet of torque, but for most daily driving that's more than adequate. When you want all the available power, just pump in high-octane premium and the engine happily increases its power output. The available Michelin PAX run-flat system is superb and we highly recommend it. Traditional run-flat tires use super-stiff sidewalls and, as a result, suffer from a hard ride. The Michelin PAX system uses a special wheel and a support ring that prevents the tire from deflating or coming off the rim even if all the air is removed and you are driving at 55 mph. Changing a tire or waiting for a tow truck can be dangerous, particularly in high-crime areas and this system virtually eliminates that concern. Visit our dealership online to see more pictures of this vehicle or call us at today to schedule your test drive. * Guaranteed Credit Approval * Visit our dealership online to see more pictures of this vehicle or call us today to schedule your test drive. * Guaranteed Credit Approval