The Nissan Quest is back after a short, one-year hiatus. Originally launched in 1993, the allnew fourth generation Quest minivan will soon be arriving at Nissan dealers. 

According to Nissan, the new Quest is about to take on the toughest job on the planet: parenting. That's because it includes an extensive list of family friendly innovations and amenities that a family on the go can enjoy together.

These clever new features include one-touch power sliding doors, quick release fold-flat seats, an Advanced Climate Control System, and a rear storage well that you can use even when all the rear seats are in the folded, flat floor, position.

The last generation Questwas a unique hybrid styling exercise with a car-like front that didn't quite look like it really belonged to its minivan body. This time around, it's a more homogeneous styling exercise, yet there are lots of interesting and pleasing-tothe-eye aspects to the new design.

Overall, it has a wide, low stance and a muscular front end that sports a much higher cowl height than its predecessor. Striking new features include its full surround privacy glass, matching blackout roof support pillars and liberal use of chrome trim accents. It's also a surprisingly windefficient shape, with a 0.32 Cd aerodynamic rating, which is very good for a van-style body.

Quest competes at the higher end of the minivan market, with the likes of Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Town & Country.

Nissan admitted to an internal debate around the rationale of even staying in the minivan segment, one that larger companies Ford and GM have already abandoned. That made for a less competitive and steadier minivan market, and spurred Nissan to give it another go.

In addition to its innovative design, what also sets new Quest apart from Odyssey or Sienna is the layout and functionality of its interior. Quick release fold-flat second-and thirdrow seats rapidly convert the Quest into a flat-floor cargo hauler. To make this transformation even more convenient, the LE trim comes with thirdrow power-return seatbacks.

The second-row seats slide forward and aft and out of the way to allow entry to the third row. However, they are not removable, like they are in the competition.Nissan is convinced that most owners rarely remove these seats as they are heavy, cumbersome and tricky to reinstall, and I'm sure many prospective buyers agree.

Quest's new "Innovation for Family" design features include keyless push-button ignition, second power windows and one-touch power sliding side doors that easily unlock and open with a single touch (great for when you've got an armful of groceries). You can also add stuff like Dual Opening glass moonroofs, a Blind Spot Warning system and a RearView Monitor.

Power comes from Nissan's award winning VQ 3.5-litre V6 engine, which can produce 260 horsepower and 240 lbs.-ft of torque. It's mated to a silkysmooth Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with Adaptive Shift Control. The console-mounted shift lever has an overdrive lockout switch that provides engine braking when going down a incline, often an issue with other CVTs.

As was the case with the previous Quest, the overall driving experience is top-notch for the minivan class. Even on the icy and pothole peppered roads of La Belle Province, the Quest offered a stable and impressively comfortable ride.

Drive goes to the front wheels (there's no all-wheel-drive version). Quest S and SV models come with 16-inch wheels (aluminum-alloy on SV) with all-season tires, while Quest SL and LE models feature 18-inch machine-finish aluminum-alloy wheels and all-season tires.

A standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System includes a very handy and innovative new application that Nissan calls Easy Fill Tire Alert. The hazard lamps flash to let you know the system is working as you pump air in a tire and -with a beep of the horn, when correct pressure is reached.

Posted in: Nissan