Nissan Quest in dramatic new format rolls out in Mississippi
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
|
CANTON, Miss. -- To applause from the Mississippi workers who constructed it, a sleek version of the redesigned Quest minivan rolls off an assembly line at Nissan's new $1.43 billion manufacturing plant erected along I-55 in Canton, located just north of the capital city of Jackson.
The workers cheer this particular Quest to mark "Job One," first production model in a stylish new design that takes a fresh approach to that familiar suburbia denizen, the people-hauling minivan.
Following a tour of the Canton assembly plant, we pick out a pre-production version of this new Quest and set off on a long loop route to Jackson, Vicksburg, Natchez and Brookhaven in order to experience the concept.
From the outset, we recognize that it's not your usual ho-hum and haul-the-kids kind of minivan because the vehicle's stylists, out of Nissan's design studio in La Jolla, Calif., apparently approached the organization of a minivan in a different manner.
Most obvious is the sleek shape of Quest's package.
It breaks the mold of a typical minivan's crate-on-wheels approach to design due to a format that stretches long but rises, well, not so tall.
Actually, it seems to squat on all four wheels, thanks to a slinky prow and windswept windshield accented by an undulating beltline at the top of side windows. It arches high toward the rear but curves down at the driver's door and slides even lower as it merges into the down-sloping hoodline and angular headlamps perched on the front corner.
Despite the low-slung profile, this Quest amounts to a considerable expansion over the former version and brings the longest wheelbase in class and a five-door passenger compartment with considerable space inside arranged in an artful manner that's entirely usable.
Bucket seats on the second tier and the third row bench will flip and fold in seconds to form a flat floor for hauling a heaping load of cargo.
A sliding slab door on either side shows the widest portal in this minivan's segment. It's at least four inches longer than side doors on other minivans.
The broad opening translates to ease of entry when you have to climb in or out of those rear seats, plus each seat on the second row tips forward in a one-hand move so it slips out of the way quickly to reach the third bench.
And that third row is a seat designed to carry not just tyke-sized people but two adults in comfort, with generous room for heads and shoulders, even long legs.
With all seats standing, Quest still has cargo room at the rear, including a well in the floor so you can stack the cargo and access it from a top-hinged back gate.
Up front, the first row with driver's bucket and a second one for the front passenger becomes another clever space that seems like a work of automotive art.
Design of the dash is unlike any other vehicle.
Picture a canted counter for the dash interrupted by an oval column jutting up from the floor and forming a center pod to house big round control dials for audio and climate systems plus, on the left side, the shifter stick of an automatic transmission.
Above that oval column, a horizontal window etched into the center of the dashboard near the base of the windshield contains the car's analog instruments and an information display screen or optional DVD-based navigation system plus color screen.
With the instrument cluster set in the center of the dash, the area immediately in front of Quest's small and sporty steering wheel remains airy and uncluttered. It improves the outward visibility for a driver, as does the swoop-down design for the door-top window, and you seem to adjust quickly to an unusual location of the instruments.
Another factor for improving cabin visibility is the optional Skyview roof, a series of four glass roof panels positioned above second and third row seats. Add the broad sunroof over front seats and you end up with a roof that's more clear windows that solid ceiling.
It's a dramatic design -- and another different idea.
Our time behind the wheel of a new Quest also reveals that Nissan rigged it right to perform well above expectations for the way a minivan drives and handles.
But it should behave because Quest comes from a family of nimble performance machines and rides on the front-wheel-drive (FWD) chassis of a car. The platform, which also underpins Nissan's Altima sedan and the Murano sport-utility wagon, supports the long 124-inch wheelbase and a wide wheel track of 67.3 inches.
Pushing wheels to edges of the chassis brings stability to the stance and enhances Quest's agility when cornering.
It carries an independent suspension system with struts in front and a multi-link arrangement in back plus stabilizer bars fore and aft to check excessive lateral roll of the body when running down a wiggly route.
Steering, through a quick-to-respond rack and pinion mechanism, feels firm despite a power boost.
A vented disc brake stands at every wheel and each ties by computerized link to a sophisticated anti-lock brake system (ABS) with brake assist (BA), electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and traction control system (TCS).
Quest also offers a vehicle dynamic control (VDC) device for dependable grip on slippery pavement.
For locomotion Nissan pulls out Altima's juicy dual-cam 3.5-liter V6.
Output climbs to 240 hp at 5800 rpm, with torque running up to 242 lb-ft at 4400 rpm.
The engine links to either a four-speed or five-speed electronically-controlled automatic transaxle, the latter reserved for Quest's top trim.
Gear increases up the Quest model ladder with three well-equipped versions -- Quest 3.5 S, 3.5 SL and 3.5 SE.
Standard on all are curtain-style air bags extending above side windows for all three rows of seats. Side-impact air bags for thorax protection of the front riders are also available but included on the 3.5 SE.
Options range from leather upholstery to dual zone automatic temperature controls up front and rear heating and air conditioning, power front windows with one-touch auto up/down, and a rear sonar-based parking aid system. A DVD-driven entertainment system is also available with choice of one or two ceiling-mounted video screens.
Officials at Nissan estimate the price range for a new Quest will stretch from around $25,000 to $37,000.
|
| 2004 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact minivan
|
| Model Options: |
Compact minivan
|
| Wheelbase: |
124.0 inches
|
| Overall Length: |
204.1 inches
|
| Engine Size: |
DOHC 3.5-L V6
|
| Transmission: |
3.5 S: Auto/4
3.5 SL: Auto/4
3.5 SE: Auto/5
|
| Drive: |
Front
|
| Braking: |
3.5 S: Power 4-disc
ABS/BA/EBD/TCS
3.5 SL: Power 4-disc
ABS/BA/EBD/TCS
3.5 SE: Power 4-disc
ABS/BA/EBD/VDC
|
| Airbags: |
3.5 S: 2 (front)
+ 4 (side curtain)
3.5 SL: 2 (front)
+ 4 (side curtain)
+ opt. 2 (side)
3.5 SE: 2 (front)
+ 4 (side curtain)
+ 2 (side)
|
| Gas Mileage: |
3.5 S: 19/26 mpg
3.5 SL: 19/26 mpg
3.5 SE: 18/25 mpg
|
| MSRP Price: |
3.5 S: $ 24,590, 3.5 SL: $ 27,090, 3.5 SE: $ 32,990 |
|
|
|
The Big Lot! is dedicated to privacy, security, and service. Read our Privacy Policy.