The Nissan Quest will be back for 2017 and should sport some new features. While the fourth generation of this popular minivan has been around since 2011, we don't expect to see a completely new Quest and anticipate Nissan will release an updated, slightly refreshed version of the 2016 later this year.
A true people-hauler, the Quest can fit 7 comfortably but leaves a little to be desired in terms of cargo space. The 2016 Quest could fit 37.1 cubic feet of cargo in the back—a figure that rose to 119.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. While those numbers seem quite good in and of themselves, they do not match up to competitors like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna—the 2016 versions of those cars respectively offered 38.4 (148.5 with the rear seats folded) and 39.1 (150 with the rear seats folded) cubic feet of cargo space. We expect Nissan to make increased cargo space an important part of the updated Quest.
Under the hood, expect the 2017 Quest to be offered with the same 3.5-liter 260-hp 6-cylinder engine found in last year's model. That power will go to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission and should return fuel-economy numbers of approximately 20 mpg city/27 highway/23 combined.
Nissan will continue to offer a Quest for everyone, ranging from the base S to the range-topping Platinum. In between sit the SV and SL, the SV being slightly more posh than the S, but not as much as the SL.
Take a look at an S and you'll find a well-equipped minivan designed to fit tighter budgets. For 2017, expect the S to come in around the $27,000 mark. While Nissan still has not released information on what equipment different Quest trims will be offered with, we expect the 2017 S to come with much of the same equipment found on the 2016. This means you can expect push-button start, a permanent rear storage well, power mirrors, flat-folding second- and third-row seats, and dual sliding rear doors.
Step up to the SV and you'll get power sliding rear doors, a backup camera, a 5-inch color display, Bluetooth integration, 16-inch alloy wheels, a USB port, tri-zone automatic climate control, and fog lights. The SV should also come with 2 available optional packages—the DVD Entertainment System Package and the Leather Package. Pick the DVD Entertainment System Package and you'll get a 7-inch in-dash monitor, an 11-inch backseat monitor, two wireless headsets with a remote control, and a 120-volt power outlet. Choose the Leather Package and you'll find yourself enveloped in plush leather seats, including heated front seats and an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat.
If the SV isn't enough for you, step up to the SL and you'll get leather seats, a power liftgate, heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and automatic headlights standard. If you want even more, you can, for a fee, add the DVD Entertainment System Package, a 13-speaker Bose sound system, and dual opening glass moonroofs.
Those who really want to be pampered (and can shell out over $43,000 for the privilege) can opt for the Premium, which adds navigation with an 8-inch color display, a 360-degree camera, blind-spot warning, the DVD Entertainment System Package, and xenon headlights. If you want just a little more, you can also add the dual opening glass moonroofs.
On the safety front, expect the Quest to again come with standard antilock brakes, traction control, roof-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags, and Nissan’s Advanced Air Bag System, which includes dual-stage supplemental front airbags.
All in all, the Quest is an able people hauler with a range of trims to fit all budgets. While there are a few tweaks we hope to see Nissan make this year, if you're looking for a comfortable minivan that can fit an adequate amount of gear, the Quest could be for you.
