Image Credit: Nissan. All rights reserved.
Don’t quote me, but I think 2011 is the year of the minivan. Striving to change the image of the minivan driver, Nissan released it’s brand new 2011 Quest. Today’s minivan is sleek, luxurious, and powerful. And while I would not have looked twice at a minivan three years ago, I am secretly hoping to adopt a bigger family to justify such a purchase.
Last month, I spent a day in beautiful La Jolla, CA test-driving Nissan’s brand new Quest minivan. My initial impression can be described in one word: luxury! But beyond state-of-the-art features like Advanced Climate Control, Heated Seats, and One-Touch Liftgate and Power Sliding Doors is a safe, family-friendly vehicle, designed, in part with parenting in mind. Here is how the 2011 Nissan Quest measures up with regards to safety, performance, design, innovation, and luxury:
Safety:
As a mom, I’m obviously very concerned about ensuring my children are safe. And while safety used to be just one of the many things I considered when purchasing a car, it is now the most important. The Quest features an Advanced Air Bag System, a Blind Spot Warning System (also helpful for parallel parking or backing up), a Standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Easy Fill Tire Alert (to alert you when your tires are low), and standard safety features you would expect on any modern vehicle.
Performance:
Not to get too technical, but there are some basic design elements that stand out with regards to the performance of the Quest. While the fact that a 3.5 L V6 engine with 253 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque is inherent in the vehicle’s design may not mean much (I don’t quite understand it myself), this translates into a vehicle that drives more like an SUV than a “minivan.” Nissan prides itself on offering a vehicle with “dynamic performance” and were it not for the 3 rows behind me, I would not have felt like I was driving a minivan. I should point out that despite the fact that the quest packs much in the way of power, it’s relatively quiet inside the cabin. Overall, the Quest is easy and comfortable to drive and ride in. If you are specs-driven, I encourage you to visit the site to learn more about it’s engine, suspension, steering, and braking.
Design: When it comes right down to it, many people are hesitant to invest in a minivan because of their perception about it’s aesthetics. Ideally, I’d like a vehicle to perform and look like an SUV with the fuel economy and space of a minivan. The Quest looks less like a minivan than it’s competitors (which is totally just my opinion). The body features a “strong, progressive styling” with a “bold front end design.” It’s signature side character line projects the appearance that it’s always on the move. I personally think the Quest looks it’s best in Twilight Gray or Dark Mahogany.
Innovation: We live in a forward-thinking society that is always looking for the latest and greatest. The Quest features some of the most advanced technology available including a Bluetooth Phone System (for hands-free driving), advanced climate control, XM NavWeather and XM NavTraffic (a must in a big city), RearView Monitor (to assist with backing up and parallel parking) and Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition (love that I wouldn’t have to dig out my keys to get the minivan started). In many ways, innovation and technology equate to convenience. And as a parent, anything that will make my life a bit easier is always an added bonus.
Luxury: When I think about purchasing a minivan, I consider that it will likely be used for long trips. The Quest offers those nice to have features that make driving with children comfortable and less stressful. While I’m not an advocate of prolonged television viewing in young children, I could use a little help from Buzz and Woody on those long road trips we take in the southeast to visit family. The Quest features an 11″ DVD display, perfect entertaining the kidlets on long road trips and in city traffic jams. Other luxury features include One-Touch Power Sliding Doors and Liftgate so I don’t have to take my hands off my toddler when loading the vehicle and a flexible configuration system so I can convert from more storage space to more passenger space with it’s quick release function.
Minivans are designed with families in mind and the Quest is not much different in this respect. It’s in the manufacturer’s design specifics with regards to styling and innovation that set the Quest apart as a luxury minivan. The Nissan Quest Minivan starts at $27,750 and is offered in four models. For more information about the specifics of the vehicle, I encourage you to visit their website or a dealer near you.
No compensation was received for this post. I was invited to a media preview of the Nissan Quest and received hotel accommodations, a spa appointment, and lunch as well as background information to facilitate this review.
Image and Video Credit: Rockin’ Mama. All rights reserved.
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